EX-99.1 2 efc6-1769_5869798ex991.txt Exhibit 99.1 ------------ EXECUTION COPY -------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GSAA HOME EQUITY TRUST 2006-8 ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-8 MASTER SERVICING and TRUST AGREEMENT among GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP., Depositor, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, Trustee DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Custodians and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Master Servicer and Securities Administrator Dated April 1, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS Section 1.01 Definitions....................................................9 ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS Section 1.01 Definitions....................................................9 ARTICLE II CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES Section 2.01 Conveyance of Mortgage Loans..................................41 Section 2.02 Acceptance by the Custodians of the Mortgage Loans............43 Section 2.03 Execution and Delivery of Certificates........................45 Section 2.04 REMIC Matters.................................................45 Section 2.05 Representations and Warranties of the Depositor...............45 Section 2.06 Representations and Warranties of JPMorgan....................47 Section 2.07 Representations and Warranties of Deutsche Bank...............47 Section 2.08 Representations and Warranties of U.S. Bank...................48 Section 2.09 Representations and Warranties of Wells Fargo.................49 ARTICLE III TRUST ACCOUNTS Section 3.01 Excess Reserve Fund Account; Distribution Account.............50 Section 3.02 Investment of Funds in the Distribution Account...............52 ARTICLE IV DISTRIBUTIONS Section 4.01 Priorities of Distribution....................................53 Section 4.02 Monthly Statements to Certificateholders......................57 Section 4.03 Allocation of Applied Realized Loss Amounts...................60 i Section 4.04 Certain Matters Relating to the Determination of LIBOR........60 Section 4.05 Supplemental Interest Trust...................................61 Section 4.06 Trust's Obligations under the Interest Rate Swap Agreement; Replacement and Termination of the Interest Rate Swap Agreement...................................................................62 ARTICLE V THE CERTIFICATES Section 5.01 The Certificates..............................................63 Section 5.02 Certificate Register; Registration of Transfer and Exchange of Certificates....................................................64 Section 5.03 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.............69 Section 5.04 Persons Deemed Owners.........................................69 Section 5.05 Access to List of Certificateholders' Names and Addresses.....70 Section 5.06 Maintenance of Office or Agency...............................70 ARTICLE VI THE DEPOSITOR Section 6.01 Liabilities of the Depositor..................................70 Section 6.02 Merger or Consolidation of the Depositor......................70 Section 6.03 Limitation on Liability of the Depositor and Others...........71 Section 6.04 Servicing Compliance Review...................................71 Section 6.05 Option to Purchase Defaulted Mortgage Loans...................71 ARTICLE VII SERVICER DEFAULT Section 7.01 Events of Default.............................................71 Section 7.02 Master Servicer to Act; Appointment of Successor..............72 Section 7.03 Master Servicer to Act as Servicer............................73 Section 7.04 Notification to Certificateholders............................73 ARTICLE VIII CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE AND THE CUSTODIANS Section 8.01 Duties of the Trustee and the Custodians......................74 Section 8.02 [Reserved]....................................................75 Section 8.03 Certain Matters Affecting the Trustee and the Custodians......75 Section 8.04 Trustee and Custodians Not Liable for Certificates or Mortgage Loans..............................................................76 Section 8.05 Trustee May Own Certificates..................................77 Section 8.06 Trustee's Fees and Expenses...................................77 Section 8.07 Eligibility Requirements for the Trustee......................78 ii Section 8.08 Resignation and Removal of the Trustee........................78 Section 8.09 Successor Trustee.............................................79 Section 8.10 Merger or Consolidation of the Trustee or the Custodians......80 Section 8.11 Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee.................80 Section 8.12 Tax Matters...................................................81 Section 8.13 [Reserved]...................................................... Section 8.14 Tax Classification of the Excess Reserve Fund Account.........84 Section 8.15 Tax Classification of the Excess Reserve Fund Account and the Interest Rate Swap Agreement............................................85 Section 8.16 Custodial Responsibilities....................................85 ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATION OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS BY THE MASTER SERVICER Section 9.01 Duties of the Master Servicer; Enforcement of Servicer's Obligations.................................................................87 Section 9.02 Maintenance of Fidelity Bond and Errors and Omissions Insurance...................................................................88 Section 9.03 Representations and Warranties of the Master Servicer.........88 Section 9.04 Master Servicer Events of Default.............................90 Section 9.05 Waiver of Default.............................................92 Section 9.06 Successor to the Master Servicer..............................92 Section 9.07 Compensation of the Master Servicer............................. Section 9.08 Merger or Consolidation.......................................94 Section 9.09 Resignation of the Master Servicer............................94 Section 9.10 Assignment or Delegation of Duties by the Master Servicer.....94 Section 9.11 Limitation on Liability of the Master Servicer................95 Section 9.12 Indemnification; Third Party Claims...........................95 ARTICLE X CONCERNING THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR Section 10.01 Duties of the Securities Administrator.......................96 Section 10.02 Certain Matters Affecting the Securities Administrator.......97 Section 10.03 Securities Administrator Not Liable for Certificates or Mortgage Loans..............................................................99 Section 10.04 Securities Administrator May Own Certificates................99 Section 10.05 Securities Administrator's Fees and Expenses.................99 Section 10.06 Eligibility Requirements for the Securities Administrator...100 Section 10.07 Resignation and Removal of the Securities Administrator.....101 Section 10.08 Successor Securities Administrator..........................102 Section 10.09 Merger or Consolidation of the Securities Administrator.....102 Section 10.10 Assignment or Delegation of Duties by the Securities Administrator..............................................................103 iii ARTICLE XI TERMINATION Section 11.01 Termination upon Liquidation or Purchase of the Mortgage Loans......................................................................103 Section 11.02 Final Distribution on the Certificates......................104 Section 11.03 Additional Termination Requirements.........................106 ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 12.01 Amendment...................................................106 Section 12.02 Recordation of Agreement; Counterparts......................108 Section 12.03 Governing Law...............................................109 Section 12.04 Intention of Parties........................................109 Section 12.05 Notices.....................................................109 Section 12.06 Severability of Provisions..................................111 Section 12.07 Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders..................111 Section 12.08 Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid...................112 Section 12.09 Waiver of Jury Trial........................................112 ARTICLE XIII EXCHANGE ACT REPORTING Section 13.01 Filing Obligations..........................................112 Section 13.02 Form 10-D Filings...........................................113 Section 13.03 Form 8-K Filings............................................114 Section 13.04 Form 10-K Filings.............................................. Section 13.05 Sarbanes-Oxley Certification................................115 Section 13.06 Form 15 Filing..............................................116 Section 13.07 Report on Assessment of Compliance and Attestation..........116 Section 13.08 Use of Subservicers and Subcontractors......................117 iv SCHEDULES Schedule I..Mortgage Loan Schedule EXHIBITS Exhibit A Form of Class A, Class M and Class B Certificates Exhibit B Form of Class P Certificates Exhibit C Form of Class R, Class RC and Class RX Certificates Exhibit D Form of Class X Certificate Exhibit E Form of Initial Certification of Custodian Exhibit F Form of Document Certification and Exception Report of Custodian Exhibit G Form of Residual Transfer Affidavit Exhibit H Form of Transferor Certificate Exhibit I Form of Rule 144A Letter Exhibit J-1 Form of Performance Certification (Master Servicer) Exhibit J-2 Form of Performance Certification (Securities Administrator) Exhibit K Form of Servicing Criteria to be Addressed in Assessment of Compliance Statement Exhibit L Form of Request for Release of Documents Exhibit M Form of Master Loan Purchase Agreement, between various sellers and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company Exhibit N Flow Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2005, between Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company Exhibit O Flow Servicing Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2006, between Avelo Mortgage, L.L.C. and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company Exhibit P Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, dated November, 1, 2005, between Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Exhibit Q Comprehensive Amended and Restated Servicing Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2005, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company v Exhibit R Amended and Restated Master Mortgage Loan Purchase and Interim Servicing Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2005, between First National Bank of Nevada and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company Exhibit S Servicing Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2004, between Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company Exhibit T Master Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2004, between Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company Exhibit U Amendment Reg AB, dated as of January 1, 2006, between Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company and Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. vi THIS MASTER SERVICING AND TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of April 1, 2006 (this "Agreement"), is hereby executed by and among GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Depositor"), DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY ("Deutsche Bank"), as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee") and as a custodian, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("U.S. Bank"), as a custodian, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("JPMorgan"), as a custodian and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. ("Wells Fargo"), as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer"), as securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") and as a custodian (Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank, each a "Custodian" and together the "Custodians"). W I T N E S S E T H: - - - - - - - - - - In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows: PRELIMINARY STATEMENT The Securities Administrator on behalf of the Trust shall elect that three segregated asset pools within the Trust Fund be treated for federal income tax purposes as comprising three REMICs (each, a "Trust REMIC" or, in the alternative, the "Lower-Tier REMIC", the "Upper-Tier REMIC" and the "Class X REMIC", respectively). The Class X Interest and each Class of LIBOR Certificates (other than the right of each Class of LIBOR Certificates to receive Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts), represents ownership of a regular interest in the Upper-Tier REMIC for purposes of the REMIC Provisions. The Class R Certificates represent ownership of the sole class of residual interest in the Upper-Tier REMIC, the Class RC Certificates represent ownership of the sole class of residual interest in the Lower-Tier REMIC and the Class RX Certificates represent ownership of the sole class of residual interest in the Class X REMIC for purposes of the REMIC Provisions. The Startup Day for each REMIC described herein is the Closing Date. The latest possible maturity date for each Certificate is the latest date referenced in Section 2.04. The Class X REMIC shall hold as assets the Class X Interest as set out below. The Upper-Tier REMIC shall hold as assets the several classes of uncertificated Lower-Tier Regular Interests, set out below. The Lower-Tier REMIC shall hold as assets the assets described in the definition of "Trust Fund" herein (other than the Prepayment Premiums and the Excess Reserve Fund Account). Each Lower-Tier Regular Interest is hereby designated as a regular interest in the Lower-Tier REMIC. The Class LT-1A1, Class LT-2A1, Class LT-2A2, Class LT-2A3A, Class LT-2A3B, Class LT-M-1, Class LT-M-2, Class LT-M-3, Class LT-M-4, Class LT-M-5, Class LT-B-1 and Class LT-B-2 Interests are hereby designated the LT-Accretion Directed Classes (the "LT Accretion Directed Classes"). The Class P Certificates represent beneficial ownership of the Prepayment Premiums, each Class of Regular Certificates represents beneficial ownership of a regular interest in the Upper-Tier REMIC and the right to receive Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts and the Class X Certificates represent beneficial ownership of a regular interest in the Upper-Tier REMIC and the Excess Reserve Fund Account, which portions of the Trust Fund shall be treated as a grantor trust. The Lower-Tier REMIC Lower-Tier Corresponding Lower-Tier Interest Interest Initial Lower-Tier Principal Upper-Tier Designation Rate Amount REMIC Class -------------------- ----------- ---------------------------- --------------- Class LT-1A1 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate 1A1 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-2A1 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate 2A1 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-2A2 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate 2A2 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-2A3A (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate 2A3A Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-2A3B (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate 2A3B Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-M-1 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate M-1 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-M-2 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate M-2 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-M-3 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate M-3 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-M-4 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate M-4 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-M-5 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate M-5 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-B-1 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate B-1 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-B-2 (1) 1/2 initial Class Certificate B-2 Balance of Corresponding Upper-Tier REMIC Regular Interest Class LT-Accrual (1) 1/2 Pool Stated Principal Balance plus 1/2 Overcollateralized Amount, less aggregate initial Lower Tier Principal Amounts of Class LT-Group I and Class LT-Group II Interests 2 Lower-Tier Corresponding Lower-Tier Interest Interest Initial Lower-Tier Principal Upper-Tier Designation Rate Amount REMIC Class -------------------- ----------- ---------------------------- --------------- Class LT-Group I (2) 0.001% aggregated Stated Principal Balance of Group I Mortgage Loans(4) Class LT-Group II (3) 0.001% aggregated Stated Principal Balance of Group II Mortgage Loans(4) ---------------------- (1) The interest rate with respect to any Distribution Date for these interests is a per annum variable rate equal to the WAC Cap. (2) The interest rate with respect to any Distribution Date for the Class LT-Group I Interest is a per annum variable rate (expressed as a percentage rounded to eight decimal places) equal to the Loan Group I Cap. (3) The interest rate with respect to any Distribution Date for the Class LT-Group II Interest is a per annum variable rate (expressed as a percentage rounded to eight decimal places) equal to the Loan Group II Cap. (4) For all Distribution Dates, the Lower Tier Principal Amount of these Lower Tier Regular Interests shall be rounded to eight decimal places. The Lower-Tier REMIC shall hold as assets all of the Lower-Tier REMIC Regular Interests. On each Distribution Date, 50% of the increase in the Overcollateralized Amount will be payable as a reduction of the Lower-Tier Principal Amount of the LT-Accretion Directed Classes (each such Class will be reduced by an amount equal to 50% of any increase in the Overcollateralized Amount that is attributable to a reduction in the Class Certificate Balance of its Corresponding Class) and will be accrued and added to the Lower-Tier Principal Amount of the Class LT-Accrual Interest. On each Distribution Date, the increase in the Lower-Tier Principal Amount of the Class LT-Accrual Interest may not exceed interest accruals for such Distribution Date for the Class LT-Accrual Interest. In the event that: (i) 50% of the increase in the Overcollateralized Amount exceeds (ii) interest accruals on the Class LT-Accrual Interest for such Distribution Date, the excess for such Distribution Date (accumulated with all such excesses for all prior Distribution Dates) will be added to any increase in the Overcollateralized Amount for purposes of determining the amount of interest accrual on the Class LT-Accrual Interest payable as principal on the LT-Accretion Directed Classes on the next Distribution Date pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph. All payments of scheduled principal and prepayments of principal generated by the Mortgage Loans shall be allocated (i) 50% to the Class LT-Accrual Interest, the Class LT-Group I Interest and the Class LT-Group II Interest (and further allocated among these Lower Tier Regular Interests in the manner described below) and (ii) 50% to the LT-Accretion Directed Classes (principal payments shall be allocated among such LT-Accretion Directed Classes in an amount equal to 50% of the principal amounts allocated to their respective Corresponding Classes), until paid in full. Notwithstanding the above, principal payments allocated to the Class X Interest that result in the reduction in the Overcollateralized Amount shall be allocated to the Class LT-Accrual Interest (until paid in full). Realized Losses shall be applied so that after all distributions have been made on each Distribution Date (i) the 3 Lower-Tier Principal Amount of each of the LT-Accretion Directed Classes is equal to 50% of the Class Certificate Balance of its Corresponding Class, and (ii) the Class LT-Accrual Interest, the Class LT-Group I Interest and the Class LT-Group II Interest (and further allocated among these Lower Tier Regular Interests in the manner described below) are equal to 50% of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans plus 50% of the Overcollateralized Amount. As among the Class LT-Accrual Interest, the Class LT-Group I Interest and the Class LT-Group II Interest, all payments of scheduled principal and prepayments of principal generated by the Mortgage Loans, and all Realized Losses, allocable to such Lower Tier Regular Interests shall be allocated (i) to the Class LT-Group I Interest and the Class LT-Group II Interest, each from the related Loan Group so that their respective Lower Tier Principal Amounts (computed to at least eight decimal places) are equal to 0.001% of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans in the related Loan Group and (ii) the remainder of such Realized Losses to the Class LT-Accrual Interest. In addition to issuing the Lower-Tier Regular Interests, the Lower-Tier REMIC shall issue the Class LT-R Interest which shall be the sole class of residual interests in the Lower-Tier REMIC. The Class RC Certificates will represent ownership of the Class LT-R Interest and will be issued as a single certificate in a principal amount of $100 and shall have no interest rate. Amounts received by the Class LT-R Interest shall be deemed paid from the Lower-Tier REMIC. The Upper-Tier REMIC The Upper-Tier REMIC shall issue the following classes of Upper-Tier Regular Interests, and each such interest, other than the Class UT-R Interest, is hereby designated as a regular interest in the Upper-Tier REMIC. Upper-Tier Interest Rate and Initial Upper-Tier Corresponding Principal Amount and Corresponding Upper-Tier Class Pass-Through Corresponding Class Class of Class Designation Rate Certificate Balance Certificates ------------------- ------------------- -------------------- --------------- Class 1A1 (1) $ Class 1A1(14) Class 2A1 (2) $ Class 2A1(14) Class 2A2 (3) $ Class 2A2(14) Class 2A3A (4) $ Class 2A3A(14) Class 2A3B (5) $ Class 2A3B(14) Class M-1 (6) $ Class M-1(14) Class M-2 (7) $ Class M-2(14) Class M-3 (8) $ Class M-3(14) Class M-4 (9) $ Class M-4(14) Class M-5 (10) $ Class M-5(14) Class B-1 (11) $ Class B-1(14) Class B-2 (12) $ Class B-2(14) Class X (13) (13) Class X(13) 4 (1) The Class 1A1 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual period at a per annum rate equal to the least of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.160% (0.320% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable), (ii) the Loan Group I Cap and (iii) the WAC Cap. (2) The Class 2A1 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual period at a per annum rate equal to the least of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.060% (0.120% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable), (ii) the Loan Group II Cap and (iii) the WAC Cap. (3) The Class 2A2 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual period at a per annum rate equal to the least of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.180% (0.360% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable), (ii) the Loan Group II Cap and (iii) the WAC Cap. (4) The Class 2A3A Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual period at a per annum rate equal to the least of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.240% (0.480% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable), (ii) the Loan Group II Cap and (iii) the WAC Cap. (5) The Class 2A3B Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual period at a per annum rate equal to the least of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.280% (0.560% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable), (ii) the Loan Group II Cap and (iii) the WAC Cap. (6) The Class M-1 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual Period at a per annum rate equal to lesser of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.300% (0.450% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable) and (ii) the WAC Cap. (7) The Class M-2 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual Period at a per annum rate equal to lesser of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.320% (0.480% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable) and (ii) the WAC Cap. (8) The Class M-3 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual Period at a per annum rate equal to lesser of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.350% (0.525% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable) and (ii) the WAC Cap. (9) The Class M-4 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual Period at a per annum rate equal to lesser of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.450% (0.675% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable) and (ii) the WAC Cap. (10) The Class M-5 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual Period at a per annum rate equal to lesser of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 0.530% (0.795% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable) and (ii) the WAC Cap. 5 (11) The Class B-1 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual Period at a per annum rate equal to lesser of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 1.100% (1.650% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable) and (ii) the WAC Cap. (12) The Class B-2 Interest will bear interest during each Interest Accrual Period at a per annum rate equal to lesser of (i) one-month LIBOR plus 2.000% (3.000% after the first distribution date on which the optional clean-up call is exercisable) and (ii) the WAC Cap. (13) The Class X Interest will have a principal balance to the extent of any Overcollateralized Amount. The Class X Interest will not accrue interest on such balance but will accrue interest on a notional principal balance. As of any Distribution Date, the Class X Interest shall have a notional principal balance equal to the aggregate of the principal balances of the Lower-Tier Regular Interests as of the first day of the related Interest Accrual Period. With respect to any Interest Accrual Period, the Class X Interest shall bear interest at a rate equal to the excess, if any, of the WAC Cap over the product of (i) 2 and (ii) the weighted average Lower-Tier Interest Rate of the Lower-Tier Regular Interests, where the Lower-Tier Interest Rates on the Class LT-Accrual Interest is subject to a cap equal to zero and each LT-Accretion Directed Class is subject to a cap equal to the Pass-Through Rate on its Corresponding Class. With respect to any Distribution Date, interest that so accrues on the notional principal balance of the Class X Interest shall be deferred in an amount equal to any increase in the Overcollateralized Amount on such Distribution Date. Such deferred interest shall not itself bear interest. The Class X Certificates will represent beneficial ownership of a regular interest issued by the Class X REMIC and amounts in the Excess Reserve Fund Account, subject to the obligation to make payments from the Excess Reserve Fund Account in respect of Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts. For federal income tax purposes, the Securities Administrator will treat the Class X Certificateholders' obligation to make payments from the Excess Reserve Fund Account as payments made pursuant to an interest rate cap contract written by the Class X Certificateholders in favor of each Class of LIBOR Certificates. Such rights of the Class X Certificateholders and Principal Certificateholders shall be treated as held in a portion of the Trust Fund that is treated as a grantor trust under subpart E, Part I of subchapter J of the Code. (14) Each of these Certificates will represent not only the ownership of the Corresponding Class of Upper-Tier Regular Interest but also the right to receive payments from the Excess Reserve Fund Account in respect of any Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts. For federal income tax purposes, the Securities Administrator will treat a Certificateholder's right to receive payments from the Excess Reserve Fund Account as payments made pursuant to an interest rate cap contract written by the Class X Certificateholders. Each of these Certificates will also be subject to the obligation to pay Class IO Shortfalls as described in Section 8.14. For federal income tax purposes, any amount distributed on the LIBOR Certificates on any such Distribution Date in excess of their Pass Through Rate, calculated without reference to any Net Swap Payment Amounts or Net Swap Receipt Amounts (the "REMIC Cap") shall be treated as having been paid from the Excess Reserve Fund Account 6 or the Supplemental Interest Trust, as applicable, and any excess of the REMIC Cap over the amount distributable on such Class of LIBOR Certificates on such Distribution Date shall be treated as having been paid to the Supplemental Interest Trust, all pursuant to, and as further provided in, Section 8.14. The Securities Administrator will treat a LIBOR Certificateholder's right to receive payments from the Excess Reserve Fund Account and the Supplemental Interest Trust as payments made pursuant to an interest rate cap contract written by the Class X Certificateholders. In addition to issuing the Upper-Tier Regular Interests, the Upper-Tier REMIC shall issue the Class R Certificates, which shall be the sole class of residual interests in the Upper-Tier REMIC. The Class R Certificates will be issued as a single certificate in book-entry form in a principal amount of $100 and shall have no interest rate. Amounts received by the Class R Certificates shall be deemed paid from the Upper-Tier REMIC. Class X REMIC ------------- The Class X REMIC shall issue the following classes of interests. The Class X Certificates shall represent a regular interest in the Class X REMIC and the Class RX Certificates shall represent the sole class of residual interest in the Class X REMIC. Class X REMIC Class X REMIC Designation Interest Rate Principal Amount -------------------------- ------------- ---------------- Class X Certificates (1) (1) Class RX Certificates (2) (2) ----------------- (1) The Class X Certificates are entitled to 100% of the interest and principal on the Class X Interest on each Distribution Date. (2) The Class RX Certificates do not have an interest rate or principal amount. The foregoing REMIC structure is intended to cause all of the cash from the Mortgage Loans to flow through to the Upper-Tier REMIC as cash flow on a REMIC regular interest, without creating any actual or potential shortfall (other than for credit losses) to any Trust REMIC regular interest. It is not intended that the Class R, Class RC or Class RX Certificates be entitled to any cash flow pursuant to this Agreement except as provided in Section 4.01(a)(ii)(A)(a) hereunder. For any purpose for which the Pass-Through Rates are calculated, the interest rate on the Mortgage Loans shall be appropriately adjusted to account for the difference between the monthly day count convention of the Mortgage Loans and the monthly day count convention of the regular interests issued by each of the REMICs. For purposes of calculating the Pass-Through Rates for each of the interests issued by the Lower-Tier REMIC such rates shall be adjusted to equal a monthly day count convention based on a 30 day month for each Due Period and a 360-day year so that the Mortgage Loans and all regular interests will be using the same monthly day count convention. 7 The minimum denomination for each Class of the Offered Certificates will be $50,000 initial Certificate Balance, with integral multiples of $1 in excess thereof except that one Certificate in each Class may be issued in a different amount. The minimum denomination for (a) the Class R and Class RC Certificates will each be $100 and each will be a 100% Percentage Interest in such Class, (b) the Class RX Certificates will be a 100% Percentage Interest in such Class and (c) the Class P and Class X Certificates will be a 1% Percentage Interest in each such Class. Set forth below are designations of Classes of Certificates to the categories used herein: Book-Entry Certificates........ All Classes of Certificates other than the Physical Certificates. Class A Certificates........... The Class 1A1, Class 2A1, Class 2A2, Class 2A3A, and Class 2A3B Certificates, collectively. Class B Certificates........... The Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 Certificates, collectively. Class M Certificates........... The Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3, Class M-4 and Class M-5 Certificates, collectively. Residual Certificates.......... The Class R, Class RC and Class RX Certificates. ERISA Restricted The Private Certificates and any Certificate Certificates................... with a rating below the lowest applicable permitted rating under the Underwriters' Exemption. LIBOR Certificates............. The Offered Certificates other than the Residual Certificates. Offered Certificates........... All Classes of Certificates other than the Private Certificates. Private Certificates........... The Class B-3, Class P and Class X Certificates. Physical Certificates.......... The Class P and Class X Certificates. Principal Certificates......... The Offered Certificates. Rating Agencies................ Moody's and S&P. Regular Certificates........... All Classes of Certificates other than the Residual Certificates. Subordinated Certificates...... The Class M and Class B Certificates. 8 ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS Section 1.01 Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the applicable Servicing Agreement or Sale Agreement. Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings: 60+ Day Delinquent Mortgage Loan: Each Mortgage Loan with respect to which any portion of a Monthly Payment is, as of the last day of the prior Due Period, two months or more past due (without giving effect to any grace period), each Mortgage Loan in foreclosure, all REO Property and each Mortgage Loan for which the Mortgagor has filed for bankruptcy. Account: Any of the Distribution Account or the Excess Reserve Fund Account. Each such Account shall be a separate Eligible Account. Accrued Certificate Interest Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date for each Class of LIBOR Certificates, the amount of interest accrued during the related Interest Accrual Period at the applicable Pass-Through Rate on the related Class Certificate Balance immediately prior to such Distribution Date, as reduced by such Class's share of Net Prepayment Interest Shortfalls and Relief Act Interest Shortfalls for the related Due Period allocated to such Class pursuant to Section 4.02. Additional Designated Information: As defined in Section 13.02. Adjusted Net Mortgage Interest Rate: As to each Mortgage Loan and at any time, the per annum rate equal to the Mortgage Interest Rate less the Expense Fee Rate. Administrative Fee Rate: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the Master Servicing Fee Rate. Administrative Fees: As to each Mortgage Loan, the fees calculated by reference to the Administrative Fee Rate. Advance: Any Monthly Advance or Servicing Advance. Affiliate: With respect to any Person, any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such first Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Agreement: This Master Servicing and Trust Agreement and all amendments or supplements hereto. Applied Realized Loss Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the amount, if any, by which the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the LIBOR Certificates 9 after distributions of principal on such Distribution Date exceeds the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date. Assignment of Mortgage: An assignment of the Mortgage, notice of transfer or equivalent instrument in recordable form (other than the assignee's name and recording information not yet returned from the recording office), reflecting the sale of the Mortgage to the Trustee. Assignment Agreement: A Step 1 Assignment Agreement or a Step 2 Assignment Agreement. Auction Call: As defined in Section 11.01. Available Funds: With respect to any Distribution Date and the Mortgage Loans to the extent received by the Master Servicer (x) the sum of (without duplication) (i) all scheduled installments of interest (net of the related Expense Fees) and principal due on the Due Date on such Mortgage Loans in the related Due Period and received on or prior to the related Determination Date, together with any Monthly Advances in respect thereof; (ii) all Condemnation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds received during the related Principal Prepayment Period (in each case, net of unreimbursed expenses incurred in connection with a liquidation or foreclosure and unreimbursed Advances, if any); (iii) all partial or full prepayments (excluding Prepayment Premiums) on the Mortgage Loans received during the related Principal Prepayment Period together with all Compensating Interest paid in connection therewith; (iv) all amounts received with respect to such Distribution Date in connection with a purchase or repurchase of a Deleted Mortgage Loan; (v) all amounts received with respect to such Distribution Date as a Substitution Adjustment Amount received in connection with the substitution of a Mortgage Loan; (vi) all Net Swap Receipt Amounts, if any, less Net Swap Payment Amounts, if any, for such Distribution Date; and (vii) all proceeds received with respect to the termination of the Trust Fund pursuant to clause (a) of Section 11.01; reduced by (y) all amounts in reimbursement for Monthly Advances and Servicing Advances previously made with respect to the Mortgage Loans, and other amounts as to which the Servicers, the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Trustee (or co-trustee) or the Custodians are entitled to be paid or reimbursed pursuant to this Agreement. Avelo: Avelo Mortgage, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors in interest. Avelo Servicing Agreement: The Flow Servicing Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2006, between Avelo and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company. Basic Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the aggregate Principal Remittance Amount for such Distribution Date over (ii) the Excess Overcollateralized Amount, if any, for such Distribution Date. Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount: With respect to each Class of LIBOR Certificates, as of any Distribution Date, the sum of (A) if on such Distribution Date the Pass-Through Rate for any Class of LIBOR Certificates is based upon the Loan Group Cap or the WAC Cap, the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest such Class of Certificates would 10 otherwise be entitled to receive on such Distribution Date had such Pass-Through Rate not been subject to the Loan Group Cap or the WAC Cap, over (ii) the amount of interest that Class of Certificates received on such Distribution Date taking into account the Loan Group Cap and the WAC Cap and (B) the Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount for such Class of Certificates for all previous Distribution Dates not previously paid, together with interest thereon at a rate equal to the applicable Pass-Through Rate for such Class of Certificates for such Distribution Date, without giving effect to the Loan Group Cap or the WAC Cap). Basis Risk Payment: For any Distribution Date, an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Class X Distributable Amount (prior to any reduction for Basis Risk Payments). Book-Entry Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Business Day: Any day other than (i) Saturday or Sunday, or (ii) a day on which banking and savings and loan institutions, in (a) the States of New York, California, Maryland and Minnesota, (b) with respect to a Servicer, the State in which such Servicer's servicing operations are located, or (c) the State in which the Trustee's operations are located, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed. Certificate: Any one of the Certificates executed by the Securities Administrator in substantially the forms attached hereto as exhibits. Certificate Balance: With respect to any Class of LIBOR Certificates, at any date, the maximum dollar amount of principal to which the Holder thereof is then entitled hereunder, such amount being equal to the Denomination thereof minus all distributions of principal previously made with respect thereto and in the case of any Subordinated Certificates, reduced by any Applied Realized Loss Amounts applicable to such Class of Subordinated Certificates; provided, however, that immediately following the Distribution Date on which a Subsequent Recovery is distributed, the Class Certificate Balances of any Class or Classes of Certificates that have been previously reduced by Applied Realized Loss Amounts will be increased, in order of seniority, by the amount of the Subsequent Recovery distributed on such Distribution Date (up to the amount of Applied Realized Loss Amounts allocated to such Class or Classes). The Class X and Class P Certificates have no Certificate Balance. Certificate Owner: With respect to a Book-Entry Certificate, the Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book-Entry Certificate. Certificate Register: The register maintained pursuant to Section 5.02. Certificateholder or Holder: The person in whose name a Certificate is registered in the Certificate Register, except that, solely for the purpose of giving any consent pursuant to this Agreement, any Certificate registered in the name of the Depositor or any affiliate of the Depositor shall be deemed not to be Outstanding and the Percentage Interest evidenced thereby shall not be taken into account in determining whether the requisite amount of Percentage Interests necessary to effect such consent has been obtained; provided, however, that if any such Person (including the Depositor) owns 100% of the Percentage Interests evidenced by a Class of Certificates, such Certificates shall be deemed to be Outstanding for purposes of any provision 11 hereof that requires the consent of the Holders of Certificates of a particular Class as a condition to the taking of any action hereunder. The Securities Administrator is entitled to rely conclusively on a certification of the Depositor or any affiliate of the Depositor in determining which Certificates are registered in the name of an affiliate of the Depositor. Certification Party: As defined in Section 13.05. Certifying Person: As defined in Section 13.05. Class: All Certificates bearing the same class designation as set forth in this Agreement. Class 1A1 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class 1A1." Class 2A1 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class 2A1." Class 2A2 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class 2A2." Class 2A3A Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class 2A3A." Class 2A3B Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class 2A3B." Class A Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Class A Principal Allocation Percentage: For any Distribution Date, the percentage equivalent of a fraction, determined as follows: (A) with respect to the Class 1A Certificates, a fraction, the numerator of which is the portion of the Principal Remittance Amount for such Distribution Date that is attributable to the principal received or advanced on the Group I Mortgage Loans and the denominator of which is the Principal Remittance Amount for such Distribution Date and (B) with respect to the Class 2A Certificates, a fraction, the numerator of which is the portion of the Principal Remittance Amount for such Distribution Date that is attributable to the principal received or advanced on the Group II Mortgage Loans and the denominator of which is the Principal Remittance Amount for such Distribution Date. Class A Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) 85.60% of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. Class B Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. 12 Class B-1 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class B-1." Class B-1 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (D) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (E) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-4 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (F) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-5 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-5 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (G) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class B-1 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of (x) 96.70% and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date, and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. Class B-2 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class B-2." Class B-2 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (D) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (E) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-4 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (F) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-5 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-5 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (G) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class B-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class B-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (H) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class B-2 Certificates immediately prior to that Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of (x) 97.70% and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. 13 Class B-3 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class B-3." I Class B-3 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (D) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (E) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-4 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (F) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-5 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-5 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (G) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class B-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class B-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (H) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class B-2 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class B-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (I) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class B-3 Certificates immediately prior to that Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of 98.70% and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. Class Certificate Balance: With respect to any Class and as to any date of determination, the aggregate of the Certificate Balances of all Certificates of such Class as of such date. Class IO Shortfalls: As defined in Section 8.14. For the avoidance of doubt, the Class IO Shortfall for any Distribution Date shall equal the amount payable to the Class X Certificates in respect of amounts due to the Swap Provider on such Distribution Date (other than Defaulted Swap Termination Payments) in excess of the amount payable on the Class X Interest on such Distribution Date, all as further provided in Section 8.14. Class M Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Class M-1 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class M-1." Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), and (B) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of (x) 88.10% and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such 14 Distribution Date and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. Class M-2 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class M-2." Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (C) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of (x) 90.60% and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. Class M-3 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class M-3." Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (D) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of (x) 92.00% and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. I Class M-4 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class M-4." Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (D) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (E) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-4 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of 15 (x) 94.50% and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. Class M-5 Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class M-5." Class M-5 Principal Distribution Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess of (i) the sum of (A) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class A Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (B) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-1 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-1 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (C) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-2 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-2 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (D) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-3 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-3 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date), (E) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-4 Certificates (after taking into account the distribution of the Class M-4 Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date) and (F) the Class Certificate Balance of the Class M-5 Certificates immediately prior to such Distribution Date over (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of (x) 95.50% and (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date and (B) the excess, if any, of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over the Overcollateralization Floor. Class P Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class P." Class R Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class R." Class RC Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class RC." Class RX Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class RX." Class X Certificates: All Certificates bearing the class designation of "Class X." Class X Distributable Amount: On any Distribution Date, (i) as a distribution in respect of interest, the amount of interest that has accrued on the Class X Interest and not applied as an Extra Principal Distribution Amount on such Distribution Date, plus any such accrued interest remaining undistributed from prior Distribution Dates, plus, without duplication, (ii) as a distribution in respect of principal, any portion of the principal balance of the Class X Interest which is distributable as an Overcollateralization Reduction Amount, minus (iii) any amounts paid as a Basis Risk Payment. Class X Interest: The Upper-Tier Regular Interest as specified and described in the Preliminary Statement and the related footnote thereto. Class X REMIC: As defined in the Preliminary Statement. 16 Closing Date: April 28, 2006. Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any successor or amendatory provisions. I Collection Account: The "Custodial Account" as defined in the applicable Servicing Agreement. Commission: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Compensating Interest: For any Distribution Date and Servicer an amount equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate of the prepayment interest shortfalls on the Mortgage Loans for the related Distribution Date resulting from voluntary principal prepayments on the Mortgage Loans during the related Prepayment Period and (B) (i) one-half of its aggregate Servicing Fee received for the related Distribution Date in the case of Countrywide Servicing (servicing non-Conduit Mortgage Loans) or (ii) its aggregate Servicing Fee received for the related Distribution Date in the case of Avelo and Countrywide (each sub-servicing the Conduit Mortgage Loans) and in the case of JPMorgan and Wells Fargo. Condemnation Proceeds: All awards or settlements in respect of a Mortgaged Property, whether permanent or temporary, partial or entire, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or condemnation, to the extent not required to be released to a Mortgagor in accordance with the terms of the related Mortgage Loan Documents. Corporate Trust Office: With respect to the Securities Administrator, the principal office of the Securities Administrator at Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, Attention: Corporate Trust Services, GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8, or at such other address as the Securities Administrator may designate from time to time by notice to the Certificateholders. With respect to the Trustee, the principal office of the Trustee at 1761 East St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, California 92705-4934, Attention: Trust Administration - GS0608, or at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Certificateholders. Corresponding Class: The Class of interests in one Trust REMIC created under this Agreement that corresponds to the Class of interests in the other Trust REMIC or to a Class of Certificates in the manner set out below: Lower-Tier Upper-Tier Corresponding Regular Interest Regular Interest Class of Certificates -------------------------- ------------------------- --------------------------- Class LT-1A1 Class 1A1 Class 1A1 Class LT-2A1 Class 2A1 Class 2A1 Class LT-2A2 Class 2A2 Class 2A2 Class LT-2A3A Class 2A3A Class 2A3A Class LT-2A3B Class 2A3B Class 2A3B Class LT-M-1 Class M-1 Class M-1 Class LT-M-2 Class M-2 Class M-2 Class LT-M-3 Class M-3 Class M-3 17 Class LT-M-4 Class M-4 Class M-4 Class LT-M-5 Class M-5 Class M-5 Class LT-B-1 Class B-1 Class B-1 Class LT-B-2 Class B-2 Class B-2 Countrywide: Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., a New York corporation, and its successors in interest. Countrywide Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans acquired by the Purchaser pursuant to the Countrywide Sale Agreement. Countrywide Sale Agreement: The Master Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2004, between Countrywide, Countrywide Servicing and GSMC, as amended by that certain Amendment Reg AB dated as of January 1, 2006. Countrywide Servicing: Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP, a Texas limited partnership, and its successors in interest. Countrywide Servicing Agreements: The Flow Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2005, between Countrywide Servicing and GSMC, as modified by the related Assignment Agreements and the Servicing Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2004, as amended by that certain Amendment Reg AB dated as of January 1, 2006. Custodial File: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, any Mortgage Loan Document which is delivered to the applicable Custodian or which at any time comes into the possession of that Custodian. Custodian: Deutsche Bank, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank and JPMorgan. Cut-off Date: April 1, 2006. Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance: The aggregate Stated Principal Balance of all Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date. Cut-off Date Principal Balance: As to any Mortgage Loan, the Stated Principal Balance thereof as of the close of business on the Cut-off Date (after giving effect to payments of principal due on that date, whether or not received). Defaulted Swap Termination Payment: Any Swap Termination Payment required to be paid by the Supplemental Interest Trust to the Swap Provider pursuant to the Interest Rate Swap Agreement as a result of an Event of Default (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement) with respect to which the Swap Provider is the defaulting party or a Termination Event (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement) (other than Illegality or a Tax Event that is not a Tax Event Upon Merger (each as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement)) with respect to which the Swap Provider is the sole Affected Party (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement) or with respect to a termination resulting from a Substitution Event (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement). 18 Definitive Certificates: Any Certificate evidenced by a Physical Certificate and any Certificate issued in lieu of a Book-Entry Certificate pursuant to Section 5.02(e). Deleted Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan which is purchased or repurchased by any Responsible Party, the Purchaser or the Depositor in accordance with the terms of any Sale Agreement, any Assignment Agreement or this Agreement, as applicable, or which is, in the case of a substitution by a Servicer (as permitted under the applicable Servicing Agreement) or by the Purchaser pursuant to the Assignment Agreements or this Agreement, replaced or to be replaced with a substitute mortgage loan. Denomination: With respect to each Certificate, the amount set forth on the face thereof as the "Initial Certificate Balance of this Certificate" or the Percentage Interest appearing on the face thereof. Depositor: GS Mortgage Securities Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its successors in interest. Depository: The initial Depository shall be The Depository Trust Company, the nominee of which is CEDE & Co., as the registered Holder of the Book-Entry Certificates. The Depository shall at all times be a "clearing corporation" as defined in Section 8-102(a)(5) of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York. Depository Institution: Any depository institution or trust company, including the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, that (a) is incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof, (b) is subject to supervision and examination by federal or state banking authorities and (c) has outstanding unsecured commercial paper or other short-term unsecured debt obligations that are rated "P-1" by Moody's and "A-1" by Standard & Poor's. Depository Participant: A broker, dealer, bank or other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Depository effects book-entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Depository. Determination Date: With respect to each Distribution Date, the close of business of the last day of the month preceding the month in which such Remittance Date occurs, or, with respect to the Goldman Conduit Mortgage Loans, the 15th calendar day (or if such 15th day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately following such 15th day) of the month of the related Remittance Date. Deutsche Bank: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, a national banking association, and its successors in interest. Distribution Account: The separate Eligible Account created by the Securities Administrator pursuant to Section 3.01(b) in the name of the Securities Administrator as paying agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Certificateholders and designated "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as paying agent, in trust for registered holders of GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-8." Funds in the Distribution Account shall be held in trust for the Certificateholders for the uses and purposes set forth in this Agreement. 19 Distribution Date: The 25th day of each month or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately succeeding Business Day, commencing in May 2006. Document Certification and Exception Report: The report attached to Exhibit F hereto. Due Date: The day of the month on which the Monthly Payment is due on a Mortgage Loan, exclusive of any days of grace. Due Period: With respect to any Distribution Date, the period commencing on the second day of the calendar month preceding the month in which that Distribution Date occurs and ending on the first day of the calendar month in which that Distribution Date occurs, except, in the case of the Goldman Conduit Mortgage Loans, the period commencing on the first day of the month and ending on the last day of the month preceding the month of the Remittance Date. EDGAR: The Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system. Eligible Account: Either (i) an account maintained with a federal or state chartered depository institution or trust company the short-term unsecured debt obligations of which (or, in the case of a depository institution or trust company that is a subsidiary of a holding company, the short-term unsecured debt obligations of such holding company) are rated "A-1+" by Standard & Poor's, "F1" by Fitch and "P-1" by Moody's (or a comparable rating if another Rating Agency is specified by the Depositor by written notice to the Servicer) at the time any amounts are held on deposit therein, (ii) a trust account or accounts maintained with a federal or state chartered depository institution or trust company acting in its fiduciary capacity or (iii) any other account acceptable to each Rating Agency. Eligible Accounts may bear interest, and may include, if otherwise qualified under this definition, accounts maintained with the Securities Administrator or the Trustee. 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 meets the requirements of Prohibited Transaction Exemption ("PTE") 2002-41, 67 Fed. Reg. 54487 (2002) (or any successor thereto), or any substantially similar administrative exemption granted by the U.S. Department of Labor. ERISA-Restricted Certificate: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Event of Default: As defined in the applicable Servicing Agreement. Excess Overcollateralized Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (a) the Overcollateralized Amount on such Distribution Date over (b) the Specified Overcollateralized Amount for such Distribution Date. Excess Reserve Fund Account: The separate Eligible Account created and maintained by the Securities Administrator pursuant to Sections 3.01(a) in the name of the Securities Administrator as paying agent for the benefit of the Regular Certificateholders and 20 designated "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as paying agent, in trust for registered holders of GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-8." Funds in the Excess Reserve Fund Account shall be held in trust for the Regular Certificateholders for the uses and purposes set forth in this Agreement. Amounts on deposit in the Excess Reserve Fund Account shall not be invested. Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Exchange Act Filing Obligation: The obligations of the Master Servicer under Sections 9.08 and 9.09 with respect to notice and information to be provided to the Depositor or Article XIII (except Section 13.07). Exchange Act Reports: Any reports on Form 10-D, Form 8-K and Form 10-K required to be filed by the Depositor with respect to the Trust Fund under the Exchange Act. Expense Fee Rate: As to each Mortgage Loan, a per annum rate equal to the sum of the Servicing Fee Rate, the Administrative Fee Rate and, if set forth on the Mortgage Loan Schedule, the applicable Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy premium rate. Expense Fees: As to each Mortgage Loan, the fees calculated by reference to the Expense Fee Rate. Extra Principal Distribution Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the lesser of (x) the related Total Monthly Excess Spread for that Distribution Date and (y) the related Overcollateralization Deficiency for such Distribution Date. Fair Market Value Excess: As defined in Section 11.01. Fannie Mae: The Federal National Mortgage Association, and its successors in interest. Final Scheduled Distribution Date: The Final Scheduled Distribution Date for each Class of Certificates is the Distribution Date occurring in May 2036. Fitch: Fitch, Inc. FNBN: First National Bank of Nevada, a national banking association, and its successors in interest. FNBN Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans acquired by the Purchaser pursuant to the FNBN Sale and Servicing Agreement. FNBN Sale and Servicing Agreement: The Amended and Restated Master Mortgage Loan Purchase and Interim Servicing Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2005, between FNBN and GSMC. 21 Form 10-D Disclosure Item: With respect to any Person, any pending material litigation or contemplated governmental proceedings against such Person that would have a material adverse impact on the Certificateholders. Form 10-K Disclosure Item: With respect to any Person: (a) any pending material litigation or contemplated governmental proceedings pending against such Person that would have a material adverse impact on the Certificateholders; and (b) any affiliations or relationships between such Person and any Item 1119 Party. Freddie Mac: The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, a corporate instrumentality of the United States created and existing under Title III of the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended, and its successors in interest. Goldman Conduit: Goldman Sachs Residential Mortgage Conduit Program. Goldman Conduit Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans acquired by the Purchaser pursuant to the applicable Goldman Conduit Sale Agreements. Goldman Conduit Sale Agreements: The Master Loan Purchase Agreements, between various mortgage loan sellers and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company, dated as of their respective dates. Group I Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule as Group I Mortgage Loans. Group II Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule as Group II Mortgage Loans. Group II Sequential Trigger Event: An event which occurs, if (x) on any Distribution Date before the 37th Distribution Date the aggregate amount of Realized Losses incurred since the cut-off date through the last day of the related Prepayment Period divided by the aggregate scheduled principal balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the cut-off date exceeds 0.55%, or (y) on or after the 37th Distribution Date, a Trigger Event is in effect. Insurance Proceeds: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, proceeds of insurance policies insuring the Mortgage Loan or the related Mortgaged Property. Interest Accrual Period: With respect to any Distribution Date, with respect to the LIBOR Certificates, the period commencing on the immediately preceding Distribution Date (or commencing on the Closing Date in the case of the first Distribution Date) and ending on the day immediately preceding the current Distribution Date the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. For purposes of computing interest accruals on each Class of LIBOR Certificates, each Interest Accrual Period has the actual number of days in such period and each year is assumed to have 360 days. Interest Rate Swap Agreement: The interest rate swap agreement, dated as of April 20, 2006, between the GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 and the Swap Provider and 22 assigned to the Supplemental Interest Trust or any other swap agreement (including any related schedules) assigned to the Supplemental Interest Trust. Interest Remittance Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date and the Mortgage Loans in a Loan Group, that portion of Available Funds attributable to interest relating to the Mortgage Loans in such Loan Group and any Net Swap Receipt Amounts attributable to such Loan Group for such Distribution Date, net of any Net Swap Payments made from such Loan Group with respect to such Distribution Date. Investment Account: As defined in Section 3.02(a). Item 1119 Party: The Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Trustee, any Servicer, any subservicer, any originator identified in the Prospectus Supplement and any Swap Provider. JPMorgan: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, a national banking association, and its successors in interest. JPMorgan Sale and Servicing Agreement: The Comprehensive Amended and Restated Servicing Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2005, between JPMorgan and GSMC. LIBOR: With respect to any Interest Accrual Period for the LIBOR Certificates, the rate determined by the Securities Administrator on the related LIBOR Determination Date on the basis of the offered rate for one month U.S. dollar deposits as such rate appears on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such date; provided, that if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750, the rate for such date will be determined on the basis of the rates at which one-month U.S. dollar deposits are offered by the Reference Banks at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such date to prime banks in the London interbank market. In such event, the Securities Administrator shall request the principal London office of each of the Reference Banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided, the rate for that date will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations (rounded upwards if necessary to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16%). If fewer than two quotations are provided as requested, the rate for that date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted by major banks in New York City, selected by the Securities Administrator (after consultation with the Depositor), at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date for one-month U.S. dollar deposits of leading European banks. The establishment of LIBOR by the Securities Administrator and the Securities Administrator's subsequent calculations based thereon, in the absence of manifest error, shall be final and binding. Except as otherwise set forth herein, absent manifest error, the Securities Administrator may conclusively rely on quotations of LIBOR as such quotations appear on Telerate Screen Page 3750. LIBOR Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. LIBOR Determination Date: With respect to any Interest Accrual Period for the LIBOR Certificates, the second London Business Day preceding the commencement of such Interest Accrual Period. Liquidated Mortgage Loan: With respect to any Distribution Date, a defaulted Mortgage Loan (including any REO Property) which was liquidated in the Principal Prepayment 23 Period preceding the month of such Distribution Date and as to which the applicable Servicer has certified that it has received all amounts it expects to receive in connection with the liquidation of such Mortgage Loan including the final disposition of an REO Property. Liquidation Proceeds: Cash received in connection with the liquidation of a defaulted Mortgage Loan, whether through the sale or assignment of such Mortgage Loan, trustee's sale, foreclosure sale or otherwise, or the sale of the related Mortgaged Property if the Mortgaged Property is acquired in satisfaction of the Mortgage Loan, including any Subsequent Recoveries. Loan Group: The Group I Mortgage Loans or the Group II Mortgage Loans, as applicable. Loan Group Cap: The Loan Group I Cap or the Loan Group II Cap, as applicable. Loan Group I Cap: With respect to the Group I Mortgage Loans as of any Distribution Date, a per annum rate equal to the product of (i) the sum of (A) the weighted average of the Adjusted Net Mortgage Interest Rates then in effect on the beginning of the related Due Period on the Group I Mortgage Loans, and (B) Net Swap Receipt Amounts, if any, less Net Swap Payments, if any, divided by Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans of the beginning of the related Due Period multiplied by 12 and (ii) 30 divided by the actual number of days in the related Interest Accrual Period. Loan Group II Cap: With respect to the Group II Mortgage Loans as of any Distribution Date, a per annum rate equal to the product of (i) the sum of (A) the weighted average of the Adjusted Net Mortgage Interest Rates then in effect on the beginning of the related Due Period on the Group II Mortgage Loans, and (B) Net Swap Receipt Amounts, if any, less Net Swap Payments, if any, divided by Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans of the beginning of the related Due Period multiplied by 12 and (ii) 30 divided by the actual number of days in the related Interest Accrual Period. London Business Day: Any day on which dealings in deposits of United States dollars are transacted in the London interbank market. Lower-Tier Principal Amount: As described in the Preliminary Statement. Lower-Tier Regular Interest: As described in the Preliminary Statement. Lower-Tier REMIC: As described in the Preliminary Statement. Majority Class X Certificateholder: The Holder or Holders of a majority of the Percentage Interests in the Class X Certificates. Master Servicer: Wells Fargo, and if a successor master servicer is appointed hereunder, such successor. Master Servicer Event of Default: As defined in Section 9.04. 24 Master Servicer Float Period: As to any Distribution Date and each Mortgage Loan, the period commencing on the four (4) calendar days immediately preceding such Distribution Date and ending on such Distribution Date. 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 mortgages electronically maintained by MERS. Monthly Advance: As defined in the applicable Servicing Agreement. Monthly Payment: The scheduled monthly payment of principal and interest on a Mortgage Loan. Monthly Statement: The statement made available to the Certificateholders pursuant to Section 4.02. Moody's: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. If Moody's is designated as a Rating Agency in the Preliminary Statement, for purposes of Section 12.05(b) the address for notices to Moody's shall be Moody's Investors Service, Inc., 99 Church Street, New York, New York 10007, Attention: Residential Mortgage Pass-Through Group, or such other address as Moody's may hereafter furnish to the Depositor and the Servicer. Mortgage: The mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule as securing a Mortgage Note. Mortgage File: The items pertaining to a particular Mortgage Loan contained in either the Servicing File or Custodial File. Mortgage Interest Rate: The annual rate of interest borne on a Mortgage Note with respect to each Mortgage Loan. Mortgage Loan: An individual Mortgage Loan which is the subject of a Sale Agreement and a Servicing Agreement, each Mortgage Loan originally sold and subject to any Sale Agreement being identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule, which Mortgage Loan includes without limitation the Mortgage File, the Servicing File, the Monthly Payments, Principal Prepayments, Prepayment Premiums, Liquidation Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds, REO Disposition proceeds and all other rights, benefits, proceeds and obligations arising from or in connection with such Mortgage Loan. Mortgage Loan Documents: The mortgage loan documents pertaining to each Mortgage Loan. Mortgage Loan Schedule: A schedule of Mortgage Loans annexed hereto as Schedule I (which shall be delivered to the Custodians in an electronic format acceptable to the 25 Custodians), such schedule setting forth the following information with respect to each Mortgage Loan: (1) Responsible Party's Mortgage Loan number; (2) the address, city, state and zip code of the Mortgaged Property; (3) a code indicating whether the Mortgagor is self-employed; (4) a code indicating whether the Mortgaged Property is owner-occupied, investment property or a second home; (5) a code indicating whether the Mortgaged Property is a single family residence, two family residence, three-family residence, four family residence, condominium, manufactured housing or planned unit development; (6) the purpose of the Mortgage Loan; (7) the type of Mortgage Loan; (8) the Mortgage Interest Rate at origination; (9) the current Mortgage Interest Rate; (10) the name of the applicable Servicer; (11) the applicable Servicing Fee Rate; (12) the current Monthly Payment; (13) the original term to maturity; (14) the remaining term to maturity; (15) the principal balance of the Mortgage Loan as of the Cut-off Date after deduction of payments of principal due on or before the Cut-off Date whether or not collected; (16) the LTV at origination and if the Mortgage Loan has a second lien, combined LTV at origination; (17) the actual principal balance of the Mortgage Loan as of the Cut-off Date; (18) social security number of the Mortgagor; (19) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan had a second lien at origination; (20) if the Mortgage Loan has a second lien, combined loan balance as of the Cut-off Date; (21) a code indicating whether the Mortgaged Property is a leasehold estate; (22) the due date of the Mortgage Loan; (23) whether the Mortgage Loan is insured by a Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy and the name of the insurer; (24) the certificate number of the Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy; (25) the amount of coverage of the Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy, and if it is a lender-paid Primary Mortgage Insurance Policy, the premium rate; (26) the type of appraisal; (27) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a MERS Loan; (28) documentation type (including asset and income type); (29) first payment date; (30) the schedule of the payment delinquencies in the prior 12 months; (31) FICO score; (32) the Mortgagor's name; (33) the stated maturity date; (34) the original principal amount of the Mortgage Loan; (35) the name of the applicable Custodian; and (36) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a Group I Mortgage Loan or a Group II Mortgage Loan. With respect to the Mortgage Loans in the aggregate: (1) the number of Mortgage Loans; (2) the current aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loans; (3) the weighted average Mortgage Interest Rate of the Mortgage Loans; and (4) the weighted average maturity of the Mortgage Loans. Mortgaged Property: The real property (or leasehold estate, if applicable) identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule as securing repayment of the debt evidenced by a Mortgage Note. Mortgagor: The obligor on a Mortgage Note. Net Monthly Excess Cash Flow: For any Distribution Date the amount remaining for distribution pursuant to subsection 4.01(a)(iii) (before giving effect to distributions pursuant to such subsection). Net Prepayment Interest Shortfall: For any Distribution Date, the amount by which the sum of the Prepayment Interest Shortfalls exceeds the sum of the Compensating Interest payments made on such Distribution Date. 26 Net Swap Payment Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the Fixed Amount (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement) payable by the Supplemental Interest Trust to the Swap Provider, pursuant to the applicable clauses of the Priorities of Distribution, on the related Fixed Rate Payer Payment Date (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement). Net Swap Receipt Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, the Floating Amount (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement) payable by the Swap Provider to the Supplemental Interest Trust on the related Floating Rate Payer Payment Date (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement). NIM Issuer: The entity established as the issuer of the NIM Securities. NIM Securities: Any debt securities secured or otherwise backed by some or all of the Class P and Class X Certificates. NIM Trustee: The trustee for the NIM Securities. Non Permitted Transferee: As defined in Section 8.12(e). Nonrecoverable Monthly Advance: Any Monthly Advance previously made or proposed to be made in respect of a Mortgage Loan or REO Property that, in the good faith business judgment of the Servicer (in accordance with the related Servicing Standard set forth in the related Servicing Agreement), the Master Servicer or any successor Master Servicer including the Trustee, as applicable, will not or, in the case of a proposed Monthly Advance, would not be ultimately recoverable from related late payments, Insurance Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds on such Mortgage Loan or REO Property as provided herein. Nonrecoverable Servicing Advance: Any Servicing Advance previously made or proposed to be made in respect of a Mortgage Loan or REO Property, which, in the good faith business judgment of the Servicer (in accordance with the related Servicing Standard set forth in the related Servicing Agreement), the Master Servicer or any successor Master Servicer including the Trustee, as applicable, will not or, in the case of a proposed Servicing Advance, would not, be ultimately recoverable from related Insurance Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds or otherwise. Notice of Final Distribution: The notice to be provided pursuant to Section 11.02 to the effect that final distribution on any of the Certificates shall be made only upon presentation and surrender thereof. Offered Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Officer's Certificate: A certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board or the Vice Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President or an Assistant Vice President and by the Treasurer or the Secretary or one of the Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries of any Servicer or any Responsible Party, and delivered to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator, as required by any Servicing Agreement or Sale Agreement or, in the case of any other Person, signed by an authorized officer of such Person. 27 Opinion of Counsel: A written opinion of counsel, who may be in house counsel for the applicable Servicer, reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and/or the Securities Administrator, as applicable (and/or such other Persons as may be set forth herein); provided, that any Opinion of Counsel relating to (a) qualification of any Trust REMIC or (b) compliance with the REMIC Provisions, must be (unless otherwise stated in such Opinion of Counsel) an opinion of counsel who (i) is in fact independent of the applicable Servicer or the Master Servicer of the Mortgage Loans, (ii) does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in the applicable Servicer or the Master Servicer of the Mortgage Loans or in an affiliate of either and (iii) is not connected with the applicable Servicer or the Master Servicer of the Mortgage Loans as an officer, employee, director or person performing similar functions. Optional Termination Date: The Distribution Date on which the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans, as of the last day of the related Due Period, is equal to 10.00% or less of the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance. Outstanding: With respect to the Certificates as of any date of determination, all Certificates theretofore executed and authenticated under this Agreement except: (i) Certificates theretofore canceled by the Securities Administrator or delivered to the Securities Administrator for cancellation; and (ii) Certificates in exchange for which or in lieu of which other Certificates have been executed and delivered by the Securities Administrator pursuant to this Agreement. Outstanding Mortgage Loan: As of any Due Date, a Mortgage Loan with a Stated Principal Balance greater than zero which was not the subject of a Principal Prepayment in Full prior to such Due Date and which did not become a Liquidated Mortgage Loan prior to such Due Date. Overcollateralized Amount: As of any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (a) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date over (b) the aggregate of the Class Certificate Balances of the LIBOR Certificates as of such Distribution Date (after giving effect to the payment of the Principal Remittance Amount on such Certificates on such Distribution Date). Overcollateralization Deficiency: With respect to any Distribution Date, the excess, if any, of (a) the Specified Overcollateralized Amount applicable to such Distribution Date over (b) the Overcollateralized Amount applicable to such Distribution Date. Overcollateralization Floor: With respect to any Distribution Date, 0.50% of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date. Overcollateralization Reduction Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Excess Overcollateralized Amount and (b) the Net Monthly Excess Cash Flow. 28 Ownership Interest: As to any Residual Certificate, any ownership interest in such Certificate including any interest in such Certificate as the Holder thereof and any other interest therein, whether direct or indirect, legal or beneficial. Par Value: means an amount equal to the greater of (a) the sum of (1) 100% of the unpaid principal balance of the Mortgage Loans (other than Mortgage Loans related to REO Properties), (2) interest accrued and unpaid on the Mortgage Loans, (3) any unreimbursed P&I Advances, fees and expenses of the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee and (4) with respect to any REO Property, the lesser of (x) the appraised value of each REO Property, as determined by the higher of two appraisals completed by two independent appraisers selected by the Master Servicer or its designee, and (y) the unpaid principal balance of each Mortgage Loan related to any REO Property, and (b) the sum of (1) the aggregate unpaid Class Certificate Balance of each class of certificates then outstanding, (2) interest accrued and unpaid on the certificates, (3) any unreimbursed P&I Advances, fees and expenses of the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee, (4) any Swap Termination Payment other than a Defaulted Swap Termination Payment owed to the Swap Provider and (5) with respect to any REO Property, the lesser of (x) the appraised value of each REO Property, as determined by the higher of two appraisals completed by two independent appraisers selected by the Master Servicer or its designee, and (y) the unpaid principal balance of each Mortgage Loan related to any REO Property, and (b) the sum of (1) the aggregate unpaid Class Certificate Balance of each class of certificates then outstanding, (2) interest accrued and unpaid on the certificates, (3) any unreimbursed P&I Advances, fees and expenses of the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee and (4) any Swap Termination Payment other than a Defaulted Swap Termination Payment owed to the Swap Provider. Pass-Through Rate: For each Class of Certificates and each Lower-Tier Regular Interest, the per annum rate set forth or calculated in the manner described in the Preliminary Statement. Percentage Interest: As to any Certificate, the percentage interest evidenced thereby in distributions required to be made on the related Class, such percentage interest being set forth on the face thereof or equal to the percentage obtained by dividing the Denomination of such Certificate by the aggregate of the Denominations of all Certificates of the same Class. Performance Certification: As defined in Section 13.05. Permitted Investments: Any one or more of the following obligations or securities acquired at a purchase price of not greater than par, regardless of whether issued by the Servicer, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator or any of their respective Affiliates: (i) direct obligations of, or obligations fully guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, provided such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; (ii) demand and time deposits in, certificates of deposit of, or bankers' acceptances (which shall each have an original maturity of not more than ninety (90) days and, in the case of bankers' acceptances, shall in no event have an original maturity of 29 more than 365 days or a remaining maturity of more than thirty (30) days) denominated in United States dollars and issued by any Depository Institution and rated F1+ by Fitch, P-1 by Moody's and A-1+ by S&P; (iii) repurchase obligations with respect to any security described in clause (i) above entered into with a Depository Institution (acting as principal); (iv) securities bearing interest or sold at a discount that are issued by any corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof and that are rated by each Rating Agency that rates such securities in its highest long-term unsecured rating categories at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment; (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 thirty (30) days after the date of acquisition thereof) that is rated by each Rating Agency that rates such securities in its highest short-term unsecured debt rating available at the time of such investment; (vi) units of money market funds, including money market funds advised by the Depositor, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee or an Affiliate thereof, that have been rated "Aaa" by Moody's, "AAAm" or "AAAm-G" by Standard & Poor's and, if rated by Fitch, at least "AA" by Fitch; and (vii) if previously confirmed in writing to the Securities Administrator, any other demand, money market or time deposit, or any other obligation, security or investment, as may be acceptable to the Rating Agencies as a permitted investment of funds backing "Aaa" or "AAA" rated securities; provided, however, that no instrument described hereunder shall evidence either the right to receive (a) only interest with respect to the obligations underlying such instrument or (b) both principal and interest payments derived from obligations underlying such instrument and the interest and principal payments with respect to such instrument provide a yield to maturity at par greater than 120% of the yield to maturity at par of the underlying obligations. Permitted Transferee: Any Person other than (i) the United States, any State or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, (ii) a foreign government, international organization or any agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing, (iii) an organization (except certain farmers' cooperatives described in Section 521 of the Code) which is exempt from tax imposed by Chapter 1 of the Code (including the tax imposed by Section 511 of the Code on unrelated business taxable income) on any excess inclusions (as defined in Section 860E(c)(1) of the Code) with respect to any Residual Certificate, (iv) rural electric and telephone cooperatives described in Section 1381(a)(2)(C) of the Code, (v) a Person that is not a U.S. Person or a U.S. Person with respect to whom income from a Residual Certificate is attributable to a foreign permanent establishment or fixed base (within the meaning of an applicable income tax treaty) of such Person or any other U.S. Person, (vi) an "electing large partnership" within the meaning of Section 775 of the Code and (vii) any 30 other Person so designated by the Depositor based upon an Opinion of Counsel that the Transfer of an Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate to such Person may cause any Trust REMIC to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that the Certificates are outstanding. The terms "United States," "State" and "international organization" shall have the meanings set forth in Section 7701 of the Code or successor provisions. A corporation will not be treated as an instrumentality of the United States or of any State or political subdivision thereof for these purposes if all of its activities are subject to tax and, with the exception of the Freddie Mac, a majority of its board of directors is not selected by such government unit. 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. Physical Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Pool Stated Principal Balance: As to any Distribution Date, the aggregate of the Stated Principal Balances of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date that were Outstanding Mortgage Loans on the Due Date in the related Due Period. Prepayment Interest Shortfall: With respect to any Remittance Date, the sum of, for each Mortgage Loan that was during the related Principal Prepayment Period the subject of a Principal Prepayment that was applied by the Servicer to reduce the outstanding principal balance of such Mortgage Loan on a date preceding the Due Date in the succeeding Principal Prepayment Period, an amount equal to the product of (a) the Mortgage Interest Rate net of the applicable Servicing Fee Rate for such Mortgage Loan, (b) the amount of the Principal Prepayment for such Mortgage Loan, (c) 1/360 and (d) the number of days commencing on the date on which such Principal Prepayment was applied and ending on the last day of the related Principal Prepayment Period. Prepayment Premium: Any prepayment premium, penalty or charge, if any, required under the terms of the related Mortgage Note to be paid in connection with a Principal Prepayment, to the extent permitted by law. Principal Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Principal Distribution Amount: For any Distribution Date, the sum of (i) the Basic Principal Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date and (ii) the Extra Principal Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date. Principal Prepayment: Any full or partial payment or other recovery of principal on a Mortgage Loan (including upon liquidation of a Mortgage Loan) which is received in advance of its scheduled Due Date, including any Prepayment Premium, and which is not accompanied by an amount of interest representing scheduled interest due on any date or dates in any month or months subsequent to the month of prepayment. Principal Prepayment in Full: Any Principal Prepayment made by a Mortgagor of the entire principal balance of a Mortgage Loan. 31 Principal Prepayment Period: With respect to any Distribution Date, the calendar month preceding the month in which that Distribution Date occurs. Principal Remittance Amount: With respect to any Distribution Date and the Mortgage Loans, the amount equal to the sum of the following amounts (without duplication): (i) all scheduled payments of principal due on the Due Date on such Mortgage Loans in the related Due Period and received on or prior to the related Determination Date, together with any Monthly Advances in respect thereof; (ii) all Condemnation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds allocable to principal and received during the related Principal Prepayment Period; (iii) all Principal Prepayments allocable to principal and received during the related Principal Prepayment Period; (iv) all amounts received with respect to such Distribution Date representing the portion of the purchase price allocable to principal in connection with a purchase or repurchase of a Deleted Mortgage Loan; (v) principal portion of all amounts received with respect to such Distribution Date as a Substitution Adjustment Amount and received in connection with the substitution of a Mortgage Loan and (vi) the allocable portion of the proceeds received with respect to the termination of the Trust Fund pursuant to clause (a) of Section 11.01 (to the extent such proceeds relate to principal). Private Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Prospectus Supplement: The Prospectus Supplement, dated April 25, 2006, relating to the Offered Certificates. PTCE: Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption, issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. PUD: A planned unit development. Purchaser: Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company, a New York limited partnership, and its successors in interest. Rating Agency: Each of the Rating Agencies specified in the Preliminary Statement. If such organization or a successor is no longer in existence, "Rating Agency" shall be such nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or other comparable Person, as is designated by the Depositor, notice of which designation shall be given to the Trustee and the Securities Administrator. References herein to a given rating or rating category of a Rating Agency shall mean such rating category without giving effect to any modifiers. For purposes of Section 12.05(b), the addresses for notices to each Rating Agency shall be the address specified therefor in the definition corresponding to the name of such Rating Agency, or such other address as either such Rating Agency may hereafter furnish to the Depositor and the Servicer. Realized Losses: With respect to any date of determination and any Liquidated Mortgage Loan, the amount, if any, by which (a) the unpaid principal balance of such Liquidated Mortgage Loan together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon exceeds (b) the Liquidation Proceeds with respect thereto net of the expenses incurred by the Servicer in connection with the liquidation of such Liquidated Mortgage Loan and net of any amount of unreimbursed Servicing Advances with respect to such Liquidated Mortgage Loan. 32 Record Date: With respect to any Distribution Date, the close of business on the last Business Day of the related Interest Accrual Period; provided, however, that for any Definitive Certificate issued pursuant to Section 5.02(e), the Record Date shall be the close of business on the last Business Day of the month immediately preceding the month in which the related Distribution Date occurs. Reference Bank: As defined in Section 4.04. Regular Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Regulation AB: Subpart 229.1100 - Asset Backed Securities (Regulation AB), 17 C.F.R. ss.ss.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. Relief Act Interest Shortfall: With respect to any Distribution Date and any Mortgage Loan, any reduction in the amount of interest collectible on such Mortgage Loan for the most recently ended Due Period as a result of the application of the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act of 1940 or any similar state statutes. REMIC: A "real estate mortgage investment conduit" within the meaning of Section 860D of the Code. REMIC Provisions: Provisions of the federal income tax law relating to real estate mortgage investment conduits, which appear at Sections 860A through 860G of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code, and related provisions, and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the foregoing may be in effect from time to time as well as provisions of applicable state laws. Remittance Date: With respect to any Distribution Date, the 18th day (or if such 18th day is not a Business Day, the first Business Day immediately preceding such 18th day) of the month in which such Distribution Date occurs; except with respect to Chase, such Remittance Date will the 23rd day (or if such 23rd day is not a Business Day, the first Business Day immediately preceding such 23rd day) of the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. REO Disposition: The final sale by the Servicer of any REO Property. REO Property: A Mortgaged Property acquired by the Trust Fund through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure in connection with a defaulted Mortgage Loan. Reportable Event: Any event required to be reported on Form 8-K, but at a minimum will include: (a) entry into a definitive material agreement related to the Trust Fund, the Certificates or the Mortgage Loans, or an amendment to a Transaction Document, only if the 33 Depositor is not a party to such agreement (e.g., a servicing agreement with a servicer contemplated by Item 1108(a)(3) of Regulation AB); (b) termination of a Transaction Document (other than by expiration of the agreement on its stated termination date or as a result of all parties completing their obligations under such agreement), only if the Depositor is not a party to such agreement (e.g., a servicing agreement with a servicer contemplated by Item 1108(a)(3) of Regulation AB); (c) with respect to any material party related to the Trust Fund, the commencement of any bankruptcy or receivership with respect to such party; (d) with respect to the Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer, the Servicer and the Depositor only, the occurrence of an Event of Default under this Agreement; (e) any amendment to this Agreement that materially modifies the rights of the Certificateholders (it being understood that the Trustee is not obligated to notify any party hereto of such amendment); (f) the resignation, removal, replacement, substitution of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer, any Servicer, any subservicer or any Custodian; (g) with respect to the Depositor only, if the Depositor becomes aware that (i) any material enhancement or support specified in Item 1114(a)(1) through (3) of Regulation AB or Item 1115 of Regulation AB that was previously applicable regarding one or more classes of the Certificates has terminated other than by expiration of the contract on its stated termination date or as a result of all parties completing their obligations under such agreement; (ii) any material enhancement specified in Item 1114(a)(1) through (3) of Regulation AB or Item 1115 of Regulation AB has been added with respect to one or more classes of the Certificates; or (iii) any existing material enhancement or support specified in Item 1114(a)(1) through (3) of Regulation AB or Item 1115 of Regulation AB with respect to one or more classes of the Certificates has been materially amended or modified; and (h) a required distribution to holders of the Certificates is not made as of the required distribution date under this Agreement (it being understood that the Trustee is not obligated to notify any party hereto of such event). Reporting Subcontractor: With respect to the Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator, any Subcontractor determined by such Person pursuant to Section 11.08(b) to be "participating in the servicing function" within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB. References to a Reporting Subcontractor shall refer only to the Subcontractor of such Person and shall not refer to Subcontractors generally. Residual Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Responsible Officer: When used with respect to the Securities Administrator or the Master Servicer, any vice president, any assistant vice president, any assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer, any associate or any other officer of the Securities Administrator or the Master Servicer, customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the 34 above designated officers who at such time shall be officers to whom, with respect to a particular matter, such matter is referred because of such officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Agreement. When used with respect to the Trustee, any officer of the Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this transaction, or to whom corporate trust matters are referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. Responsible Party: Countrywide, Wells Fargo and FNBN, each in its capacity as seller under the applicable Sale Agreement. With respect to the Goldman Conduit Mortgage Loans, the Purchaser. Rule 144A: Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A Letter: As defined in Section 5.02(b). Sale Agreement: Each of the Countrywide Sale Agreement, the Wells Fargo Sale and Servicing Agreement, the FNBN Sale and Servicing Agreement and the Goldman Conduit Sale Agreement. Sarbanes-Oxley Certification: As defined in Section 13.05. Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Securities Administrator: Wells Fargo, and if a successor securities administrator is appointed hereunder, such successor. Senior Enhancement Percentage: With respect to any Distribution Date, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the sum of (i) the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Subordinated Certificates and (ii) the Overcollateralized Amount (in each case after taking into account the distributions of the Principal Distribution Amount for such Distribution Date) by (y) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the first day of the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. Senior Specified Enhancement Percentage: As of any date of determination, 14.40%. Servicer: Each of Avelo, Countrywide Servicing, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan, in its capacity as servicer under the related Servicing Agreement, or any successor servicer appointed pursuant to such Servicing Agreement. Servicing Advances: As defined in the related Servicing Agreement. Servicing Agreement: Each of the Avelo Servicing Agreement, the Countrywide Servicing Agreement, the Wells Fargo Sale and Servicing Agreement and the JPMorgan Sale and Servicing Agreement. Servicing Criteria: The "servicing criteria" set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB. 35 Servicing Fee: As defined in the related Servicing Agreement. Servicing Fee Rate: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the per annum rate for such Mortgage Loan specified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Servicing File: As defined in the applicable Servicing Agreement. Similar Law: As defined in Section 5.02(b). Specified Overcollateralized Amount: Prior to the Stepdown Date, an amount equal to 0.65% of the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance. On and after the Stepdown Date, an amount equal to 1.30% of the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for such Distribution Date, subject, until the Class Certificate Balance of each Class of LIBOR Certificates has been reduced to zero, to a minimum amount equal to the Overcollateralization Floor; provided, however, that if, on any Distribution Date, a Trigger Event has occurred, the Specified Overcollateralized Amount shall not be reduced to the applicable percentage of the then current aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans but instead will remain the same as the prior period's Specified Overcollateralized Amount until the Distribution Date on which a Trigger Event is no longer occurring. When the Class Certificate Balance of each Class of LIBOR Certificates has been reduced to zero, the Specified Overcollateralized Amount will thereafter be zero. Standard & Poor's or S&P: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. If Standard & Poor's is designated as a Rating Agency in the Preliminary Statement, for purposes of Section 12.05(b) the address for notices to Standard & Poor's shall be Standard & Poor's, 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041, Attention: Residential Mortgage Surveillance Group - GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8, or such other address as Standard & Poor's may hereafter furnish to the Depositor and the Servicer. Startup Day: The Closing Date. Stated Principal Balance: As to each Mortgage Loan and as of any Determination Date, (i) the principal balance of the Mortgage Loan at the Cut-off Date after giving effect to payments of principal due on or before such date (whether or not received), minus (ii) all amounts previously remitted to the Securities Administrator with respect to the related Mortgage Loan representing payments or recoveries of principal including advances in respect of scheduled payments of principal. For purposes of any Distribution Date, the Stated Principal Balance of any Mortgage Loan will give effect to any scheduled payments of principal received or advanced prior to the related Remittance Date and any unscheduled principal payments and other unscheduled principal collections received during the related Principal Prepayment Period, and the Stated Principal Balance of any Mortgage Loan that has prepaid in full or has become a Liquidated Mortgage Loan during the related Principal Prepayment Period shall be zero. Step 1 Assignment Agreement: Each of the (i) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Purchaser, Countrywide and the Depositor, (ii) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Purchaser, Countrywide Servicing and the Depositor; (iii) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Purchaser, Wells Fargo and 36 the Depositor; (iv) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Purchaser, FNBN and the Depositor; (v) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Purchaser, Avelo and the Depositor; and (vi) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Purchaser, JPMorgan and the Depositor. Step 2 Assignment Agreement: Each of the (i) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Trustee and Countrywide, (ii) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Trustee and Countrywide Servicing; (iii) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Trustee and Wells Fargo; (iv) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Trustee and FNBN; (v) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Trustee and Avelo; and (vi) Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2006, between the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Trustee and JPMorgan. Stepdown Date: The earlier to occur of (a) the date on which the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Class A Certificates has been reduced to zero and (b) the later to occur of (i) the Distribution Date in May 2009 and (ii) the first Distribution Date on which the Senior Enhancement Percentage is greater than or equal to the Senior Specified Enhancement Percentage. Subcontractor: Any vendor, subcontractor or other Person that is not responsible for the overall servicing (as "servicing" is commonly understood by participants in the mortgage-backed securities market) 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 the Master Servicer, any Servicer, any subservicer or the Securities Administrator, as the case may be. Subordinated Certificates: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Subsequent Recoveries: Amounts received with respect to any Liquidated Mortgage Loan after it has become a Liquidated Mortgage Loan. Substitution Adjustment Amount: With respect to any Servicing Agreement in which substitution is permitted, or with respect to a Mortgage Loan substituted by the Purchaser, an amount of cash received from the applicable Servicer or the Purchaser, as applicable, in connection with a substitution for a Deleted Mortgage Loan. Supplemental Interest Trust: The corpus of a trust created pursuant to Section 4.05 of this Agreement, consisting of the Interest Rate Swap Agreement, subject to the obligation to pay amounts specified in Section 4.05. Swap Provider: Goldman Sachs Mitsui Marine Derivative Products, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and its successors in interest, and any successor swap provider under any replacement Interest Rate Swap Agreement. 37 Swap Termination Payment: Any payment payable by the Supplemental Interest Trust or the Swap Provider upon termination of the Interest Rate Swap Agreement as a result of an Event of Default (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement) or a Termination Event (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement). Tax Matters Person: The Holder of the Class R, Class RC and Class RX Certificates is designated as "tax matters person" of the Lower-Tier REMIC, Middle-Tier REMIC and the Upper-Tier REMIC, respectively, in the manner provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.806F-4(d) and Treasury Regulations Section 301.6234(a)(7)-1. Telerate Page 3750: The display page currently so designated on the Bridge Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace that page on that service for displaying comparable rates or prices). Termination Price: As defined in Section 11.01. Total Monthly Excess Spread: As to any Distribution Date, an amount equal to the excess if any, of (i) the interest collected (prior to the related Remittance Date) or advanced on the Mortgage Loans for Due Dates during the related Due Period (net of Expense Fees) plus the Net Swap Receipt Amount and minus any Net Swap Payment Amount over (ii) the sum of the interest payable to the LIBOR Certificates on such Distribution Date pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(i). Transaction Documents: This Agreement, each Interest Rate Swap Agreement, the Assignment Agreements and any other document or agreement entered into in connection with the Trust Fund, the Certificates or the Mortgage Loans. Transfer: Any direct or indirect transfer or sale of any Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate. Transfer Affidavit: As defined in Section 5.02(c)(ii). Transferor Certificate: As defined in Section 5.02(b). Trigger Event: With respect to any Distribution Date, a Trigger Event exists if (i) on such Distribution Date the quotient (expressed as a percentage) of (x) the rolling three month average of the aggregate unpaid principal balance of 60+ Day Delinquent Mortgage Loans, and (y) the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the last day of the related Due Period equals or exceeds 40.00% of the Senior Enhancement Percentage as of the last day of the prior Due Period or (ii) the quotient (expressed as a percentage) of (x) the aggregate amount of Realized Losses incurred since the Cut-off Date through the last day of the related Principal Prepayment Period divided by (y) the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance exceeds the applicable percentages set forth below with respect to such Distribution Date: Distribution Date Occurring In Loss Percentage ------------------------------ --------------- May 2008 - April 2009 0.200% for the first month, plus an additional 1/12th of 0.350% for each month thereafter 38 (e.g., approximately 0.229% in June 2008) May 2009 - April 2010 0.550% for the first month, plus an additional 1/12th of 0.400% for each month thereafter (e.g., approximately 0.583% in June 2009) May 2010 - April 2011 0.950% for the first month, plus an additional 1/12th of 0.400% for each month thereafter (e.g., approximately 0.983% in June 2010) May 2011 - April 2012 1.350% for the first month, plus an additional 1/12th of 0.250% for each month thereafter (e.g., approximately 1.371% in June 2011) May 2012 and thereafter 1.600% Trust: The express trust created hereunder in Section 2.01(c). Trust Fund: The corpus of the trust created hereunder consisting of (i) the Mortgage Loans and all interest and principal received on or with respect thereto after the related Cut-off Date, other than such amounts which were due on the Mortgage Loans on or before the related Cut-off Date; (ii) the Interest Rate Swap Agreement and all amounts received thereunder; (iii) the Excess Reserve Fund Account, the Distribution Account, and all amounts deposited therein pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement; (iv) property that secured a Mortgage Loan and has been acquired by foreclosure, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or otherwise; (v) the rights of the Trust under the Step 2 Assignment Agreements; (vi) the Supplemental Interest Trust; and (vii) all proceeds of the conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of any of the foregoing. The Trust Fund created hereunder is referred to as the GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8. Trust REMIC: As specified in the Preliminary Statement. Trustee: Deutsche Bank, and its successors in interest, and, if a successor trustee is appointed hereunder, such successor. Underwriters' Exemption: Any exemption listed in footnote 1 of, and amended by, Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2002-41, 67 Fed. Reg. 54487 (2002), or amended by Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2002-19, 67 Fed. Reg. 14979, or any successor exemption. Unpaid Interest Amount: As of any Distribution Date and any Class of Certificates, the sum of (a) the portion of the Accrued Certificate Interest Distribution Amount from Distribution Dates remaining unpaid prior to the current Distribution Date and (b) interest on the amount in clause (a) at the applicable Pass-Through Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). U.S. Bank: U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, and its successors in interest. 39 U.S. Person: (i) A citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof, including, for this purpose, the District of Columbia; (iii) a partnership (or entity treated as a partnership for tax purposes) organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof, including, for this purpose, the District of Columbia (unless provided otherwise by future Treasury regulations); (iv) an estate whose income is includible in gross income for United States income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (v) 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 U.S. Persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. Notwithstanding the last clause of the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in Treasury regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as U.S. Persons prior to such date, may elect to continue to be U.S. Persons. Upper-Tier Regular Interest: As described in the Preliminary Statement. Upper-Tier REMIC: As described in the Preliminary Statement. Voting Rights: The portion of the voting rights of all of the Certificates which is allocated to any Certificate. As of any date of determination, (a) 1% of all Voting Rights shall be allocated to the Class X Certificates, if any (such Voting Rights to be allocated among the holders of Certificates of each such Class in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests), (b) 1% of all Voting Rights shall be allocated to the Class P Certificates, if any (such Voting Rights to be allocated among the holders of Certificates of each such Class in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests), and (c) the remaining Voting Rights shall be allocated among Holders of the remaining Classes of Certificates in proportion to the Certificate Balances of their respective Certificates on such date. WAC Cap: With respect to the Mortgage Loans as of any Distribution Date, a per annum rate equal to the product of (i) the sum of (A) the weighted average of the Adjusted Net Mortgage Interest Rates then in effect on the beginning of the related Due Period on the Mortgage Loans, and (B) the Net Swap Receipt Amount, if any, less the Net Swap Payment Amount, if any, divided by the Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans at the beginning of the related Due Period multiplied by 12 and (ii) 30 divided by the actual number of days in the related Interest Accrual Period, in the case of the LIBOR Certificates. Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, and its successors in interest. Wells Fargo Mortgage Loans: The Mortgage Loans acquired by the Purchaser pursuant to the Wells Fargo Sale and Servicing Agreement. Wells Fargo Sale and Servicing Agreement: The Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, dated November 1, 2005, between Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 40 ARTICLE II CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES Section 2.01 Conveyance of Mortgage Loans. The Depositor, concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, hereby sells, transfers, assigns, sets over and otherwise conveys to the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders, without recourse, all the right, title and interest of the Depositor in and to the Trust Fund. (b) In connection with the transfer and assignment of each Mortgage Loan, the Depositor has delivered or caused to be delivered to the applicable Custodian on behalf of the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders the following documents or instruments with respect to each applicable Mortgage Loan so assigned: (i) the original Mortgage Note, endorsed without recourse in blank by the last endorsee, including all intervening endorsements showing a complete chain of endorsement from the originator to the last endorsee; (ii) The original Assignment of Mortgage in blank, unless the Mortgage Loan is a MERS Loan; (iii) personal endorsement, surety and/or guaranty agreements executed in connection with all non individual Mortgage Loans (corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates, etc. (if any); (iv) the related original Mortgage and evidence of its recording or a certified copy of the Mortgage with evidence of recording; (v) originals of any intervening Mortgage assignment or certified copies in either case necessary to show a complete chain of title from the original mortgagee to the seller and evidencing recording; provided, that, except in the case of the Goldman Conduit Mortgage Loans, the assignment may be in the form of a blanket assignment or assignments, a copy of which with evidence of recording shall be acceptable; (vi) originals of all assumption, modification, consolidation or extension agreements or certified copies thereof, in either case with evidence of recording if required to maintain the lien of the mortgage or if otherwise required, or, if recordation is not required, an original or copy of the agreement; provided, that, in the case of the Goldman Conduit Mortgage Loans, an original with evidence of recording thereon is always required; (vii) if applicable to the files held by the applicable Custodian, an original or copy of a title insurance policy or evidence of title; (viii) to the extent applicable, an original power of attorney; 41 (ix) for each Mortgage Loan (if applicable to the files held by the applicable Custodian) with respect to which the Mortgagor's name as it appears on the note does not match the borrower's name on the Mortgage Loan Schedule, one of the following: the original of the assumption agreement, or a certified copy thereof, in either case with evidence of recording thereon if required to maintain the lien of the mortgage or if otherwise required, or, if recordation is not so required, an original or copy of such assumption agreement; (x) if applicable to the files held by the applicable Custodian, a security agreement, chattel mortgage or equivalent document executed in connection with the Mortgage, if any; and (xi) with respect to each Mortgage Loan, the complete Custodial File including all items as set forth in the applicable Servicing Agreement to the extent in the possession of the Depositor or the Depositor's Agents. The Depositor shall deliver or cause each Responsible Party to deliver to each Custodian the applicable recorded document promptly upon receipt from the respective recording office but in no event later than 120 days from the Closing Date. From time to time, pursuant to the applicable Sale Agreement, the Responsible Party may forward to the applicable Custodian additional original documents, additional documents evidencing an assumption, modification, consolidation or extension of a Mortgage Loan, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Sale Agreement. All such mortgage documents held by the Custodians as to each Mortgage Loan shall constitute the "Custodial File." On or prior to the Closing Date, the Depositor shall deliver to the Custodians Assignments of Mortgages (except in the case of MERS Loans), in blank, for each applicable Mortgage Loan. On the Closing Date, the Trustee shall provide a written request to each Responsible Party to submit the Assignments of Mortgage for recordation, at the Responsible Party's expense, pursuant to the applicable Sale Agreement. Each Custodian shall deliver the Assignment of Mortgages to be submitted for recordation to the applicable Responsible Party upon receipt of a written request for release in standard and customary form as set forth in Exhibit L, Exhibit L-1, Exhibit L-2 or Exhibit L-3, as applicable. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Depositor shall deliver to the Custodians and the Master Servicer a copy of the Mortgage Loan Schedule in electronic, machine readable medium in a form mutually acceptable to the Depositor, the applicable Custodian, the Master Servicer and the Trustee. In the event that such original or copy of any document submitted for recordation to the appropriate public recording office is not so delivered to the Custodian within the time period and in the manner specified in the applicable Sale Agreement, the Trustee shall take or cause to be taken such remedial actions under the Sale Agreement against the applicable Responsible Party as may be permitted to be taken thereunder, including without limitation, if applicable, the repurchase by the applicable Responsible Party of such Mortgage Loan. The 42 foregoing repurchase remedy shall not apply in the event that the Responsible Party cannot deliver such original or copy of any document submitted for recordation to the appropriate public recording office within the specified period due to a delay caused by the recording office in the applicable jurisdiction; provided, that the applicable Responsible Party shall instead deliver a recording receipt of such recording office or, if such recording receipt is not available, an officer's certificate of an officer of the applicable Responsible Party, confirming that such document has been accepted for recording. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.01, in those instances where the public recording office retains or loses the original Mortgage or assignment after it has been recorded, the obligations of the Responsible Party shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon delivery by the Responsible Party to the applicable Custodian prior to the Closing Date of a copy of such Mortgage or assignment, as the case may be, certified (such certification to be an original thereof) by the public recording office to be a true and complete copy of the recorded original thereof. (c) The Depositor does hereby establish, pursuant to the further provisions of this Agreement and the laws of the State of New York, an express trust (the "Trust") to be known, for convenience, as "GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8" and Deutsche Bank is hereby appointed as Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. (d) It is the policy and intention of the Trust that none of the Mortgage Loans included in the Trust is (a) covered by the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, or (b) considered a "high cost home," "threshold," "predatory" or "covered" loan (excluding "covered home loans" as defined under clause (1) of the definition of "covered home loans" in the New Jersey Home Ownership Security Act of 2002) under applicable state, federal or local laws. Section 2.02 Acceptance by the Custodians of the Mortgage Loans. Each Custodian acknowledges receipt of the documents identified in the Initial Certification, subject to any exceptions listed on the exception report attached thereto, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit E, and declares that it holds and will hold such documents and the other documents delivered to it pursuant to Section 2.01, and that it holds or will hold such other assets as are included in the Trust Fund, in trust for the exclusive use and benefit of all present and future Certificateholders. Deutsche Bank, as Custodian, acknowledges that it will maintain possession of the related Mortgage Notes in the State of California, JPMorgan, as Custodian, acknowledges that it will maintain possession of the related Mortgage Notes in the State of Texas, U.S. Bank, as Custodian, acknowledges that it will maintain possession of the related Mortgage Notes in the State of Minnesota and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Custodian, acknowledges that it will maintain possession of the related Mortgage Notes in the State of Minnesota, unless otherwise permitted by the Rating Agencies. Prior to and as a condition to the Closing, each Custodian shall deliver via facsimile (with original to follow the next Business Day) to the Depositor an Initial Certification prior to the Closing Date, or as the Depositor agrees to, on the Closing Date, certifying receipt of a Mortgage Note and Assignment of Mortgage, subject to any exceptions listed on the exception 43 report attached thereto, for each Mortgage Loan. None of the Custodians shall be responsible for verifying the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of any document in any Custodial File. On the Closing Date, each Custodian shall ascertain that all documents required to be delivered to it on or prior to the Closing Date are in its possession, subject to any exceptions listed on the exception report attached thereto, and shall deliver to the Depositor and the Trustee an Initial Certification, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit E, and shall deliver to the Depositor and the Trustee a Document Certification and Exception Report, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit F, within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date to the effect that, as to each applicable Mortgage Loan listed in the Mortgage Loan Schedule (other than any Mortgage Loan paid in full or any Mortgage Loan specifically identified in such certification as an exception and not covered by such certification): (i) all documents required to be delivered to it are in its possession; (ii) such documents have been reviewed by it and appear regular on their face and relate to such Mortgage Loan; (iii) based on its examination and only as to the foregoing documents, as to Deutsche Bank, the information set forth in items 2, 8, 33, and 34 of the Mortgage Loan Schedule respecting such Mortgage Loan is correct; (iv) based on its examination and only as to the foregoing documents, as to JPMorgan, the information set forth in items 2, 8, 33, and 34 of the Mortgage Loan Schedule respecting such Mortgage Loan is correct; (v) based on its examination and only as to the foregoing documents, as to U.S. Bank, the information set forth in items 2, 8, 33, and 34 of the Mortgage Loan Schedule respecting such Mortgage Loan is correct; (vi) based on its examination and only as to the foregoing documents, as to Wells Fargo, the information set forth in items 2, 8, 33, and 34 of the Mortgage Loan Schedule respecting such Mortgage Loan is correct; and (vii) each Mortgage Note has been endorsed as provided in Section 2.01 of this Agreement. None of the Custodians shall be responsible for verifying the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of any document in any Custodial File. Each Custodian shall retain possession and custody of each applicable Custodial File in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Servicer shall promptly deliver to the applicable Custodian, upon the execution or receipt thereof, the originals of such other documents or instruments constituting the Custodial File as come into the possession of the Servicer from time to time. Each Custodian shall notify the Trustee of any Mortgage Loans that do not conform to the requirements of Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof by delivery of the Document Certification and Exception Report. The Trustee shall enforce the obligation of the Responsible Parties to cure or repurchase Mortgage Loans that do not conform to such requirements as determined in the applicable Custodian's review as required herein, or based upon notification from the Master Servicer, by notifying the applicable Responsible Party to correct or cure such default. The Trustee shall also enforce the obligation of the Responsible Parties under the Sale Agreements or the Servicing Agreements, as applicable, and of the Purchaser under the Step 1 Assignment Agreements to cure or repurchase Mortgage Loans for which there is a defect or a breach of a representation or warranty thereunder of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge, by notifying the applicable party to correct or cure such default. If any Servicer, any Responsible Party or the Purchaser, as the case may be, fails or is unable to correct or cure the defect or breach within the period set forth in the applicable agreement, the Trustee shall notify the Depositor of such failure to correct or cure. Unless otherwise directed by the 44 Depositor within five (5) Business Days after notifying the Depositor of such failure by the applicable party to correct or cure, the Trustee shall notify such party to repurchase the Mortgage Loan. If, within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of such notice by such party, such party fails to repurchase such Mortgage Loan, the Trustee shall notify the Depositor of such failure. The Trustee shall pursue all legal remedies available to the Trustee against the Servicers, the Responsible Parties and the Purchaser, as applicable, under this Agreement, if the Trustee has received written notice from the Depositor directing the Trustee to pursue such remedies. Section 2.03 Execution and Delivery of Certificates. The Trustee acknowledges the transfer and assignment to it of the Trust Fund and, concurrently with such transfer and assignment, the Securities Administrator has executed and delivered to or upon the order of the Depositor, the Certificates in authorized denominations evidencing directly or indirectly the entire ownership of the Trust Fund. The Trustee agrees to hold the Trust Fund and exercise the rights referred to above for the benefit of all present and future Holders of the Certificates. Section 2.04 REMIC Matters. The Preliminary Statement sets forth the designations for federal income tax purposes of all interests created hereby. The "Startup Day" for purposes of the REMIC Provisions shall be the Closing Date. The "latest possible maturity date" is May 25, 2036, which is the Distribution Date following the latest Mortgage Loan maturity date. Amounts paid to the Class X Certificates (prior to any reduction for any Basis Risk Payment or Swap Termination Payment) shall be deemed paid from the Upper-Tier REMIC to the Class X REMIC in respect of the Class X Interest and from the Class X REMIC to the holders of the Class X Certificates prior to distribution of Basis Risk Payments to the LIBOR Certificates. Amounts distributable to the Class X Certificates (prior to any reduction for any Net Swap Receipt Amounts, Net Swap Payment Amounts or Swap Termination Payment), shall be deemed paid from the Master REMIC to the Holders of the Class X Certificates prior to distribution of any Basis Risk Payments to the LIBOR Certificates. For federal income tax purposes, any amount distributed on the LIBOR Certificates on any such Distribution Date in excess of their Pass Through Rate, calculated by substituting the REMIC Cap for the WAC Cap shall be treated as having been paid from the Excess Reserve Fund Account or the Supplemental Interest Trust, as applicable, and any excess of the REMIC Cap over the amount distributable on such Class of LIBOR Certificates on such Distribution Date shall be treated as having been paid to the Supplemental Interest Trust, all pursuant to, and as further provided in, Section 8.14. Section 2.05 Representations and Warranties of the Depositor. The Depositor hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Trustee that as of the date of this Agreement or as of such date specifically provided herein: (a) The Depositor is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; 45 (b) The Depositor has the corporate power and authority to convey the Mortgage Loans and to execute, deliver and perform, and to enter into and consummate the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement; (c) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Depositor, all requisite corporate action having been taken, and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties hereto, constitutes or will constitute the legal, valid and binding agreement of the Depositor, enforceable against the Depositor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and by general equity principles (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (d) No consent, approval, authorization or order of or registration or filing with, or notice to, any governmental authority or court is required for the execution, delivery and performance of or compliance by the Depositor with this Agreement or the consummation by the Depositor of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, except as have been made on or prior to the Closing Date; (e) None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (i) conflicts or will conflict with or results or will result in a breach of, or constitutes or will constitute a default or results or will result in an acceleration under (A) the charter or bylaws of the Depositor, or (B) any term, condition or provision of any material indenture, deed of trust, contract or other agreement or instrument to which the Depositor or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its subsidiaries is bound; (ii) results or will result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Depositor of any court or governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Depositor or its subsidiaries; or (iii) results in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance which would have a material adverse effect upon the Mortgage Loans or any documents or instruments evidencing or securing the Mortgage Loans; (f) There are no actions, suits or proceedings before or against or investigations of, the Depositor pending, or to the knowledge of the Depositor, threatened, before any court, administrative agency or other tribunal, and no notice of any such action, which, in the Depositor's reasonable judgment, might materially and adversely affect the performance by the Depositor of its obligations under this Agreement, or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement; (g) The Depositor is not in default with respect to any order or decree of any court or any order, regulation or demand of any federal, state, municipal or governmental agency that may materially and adversely affect its performance hereunder; and (h) Immediately prior to the transfer and assignment by the Depositor to the Trustee on the Closing Date, the Depositor had good title to, and was the sole owner of each Mortgage Loan, free of any interest of any other Person, and the Depositor has transferred all right, title and interest in each Mortgage Loan to the Trustee. The transfer of each Mortgage 46 Note and each Mortgage as and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement is sufficient either (i) fully to transfer to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, all right, title, and interest of the Depositor thereto as note holder and mortgagee or (ii) to grant to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, the security interest referred to in Section 12.04 hereof. It is understood and agreed that the representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Section 2.05 shall survive delivery of the respective Custodial Files to the Custodians, and shall inure to the benefit and to Certificateholders. Section 2.06 Representations and Warranties of JPMorgan. JPMorgan, as Custodian, hereby represents and warrants to the Depositor, the Master Servicer and the Trustee, as of the Closing Date: (a) Such Custodian is duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and is duly authorized and qualified to transact any and all business contemplated by this Agreement to be conducted by such Custodian or is otherwise not required under applicable law to effect such qualification and, in any event, is in compliance with the doing business laws of any such state, to the extent necessary to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof. (b) Such Custodian has the full 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 action on the part of such Custodian the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and this Agreement, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Custodian, enforceable against such Custodian in accordance with its terms, except that (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, receivership and other similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) 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. (c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Custodian, the consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms thereof are in the ordinary course of business of such Custodian and will not result in a material breach of any term or provision of the articles of incorporation or by laws of such Custodian. Section 2.07 Representations and Warranties of Deutsche Bank. Deutsche Bank, in its capacity as a Custodian, hereby represents and warrants to the Depositor, the Master Servicer and the Trustee, as of the Closing Date: (a) Such Custodian is duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and is duly authorized and qualified to transact any and all business contemplated by this Agreement to be conducted by such Custodian or is otherwise not required under applicable law to effect such qualification and, in any event, is 47 in compliance with the doing business laws of any such state, to the extent necessary to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof. (b) Such Custodian has the full 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 action on the part of such Custodian the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and this Agreement, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Custodian, enforceable against such Custodian in accordance with its terms, except that (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, receivership and other similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) 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. (c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Custodian, the consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms thereof are in the ordinary course of business of such Custodian and will not result in a material breach of any term or provision of the articles of incorporation or by laws of such Custodian. Section 2.08 Representations and Warranties of U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank hereby represents and warrants to the Depositor, the Master Servicer and the Trustee, as of the Closing Date: (a) Such Custodian is duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and is duly authorized and qualified to transact any and all business contemplated by this Agreement to be conducted by such Custodian or is otherwise not required under applicable law to effect such qualification and, in any event, is in compliance with the doing business laws of any such state, to the extent necessary to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof. (b) Such Custodian has the full 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 action on the part of such Custodian the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and this Agreement, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Custodian, enforceable against such Custodian in accordance with its terms, except that (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, receivership and other similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) 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. (c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Custodian, the consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms thereof are in the ordinary course of business of such 48 Custodian and will not result in a material breach of any term or provision of the articles of incorporation or by laws of such Custodian. Section 2.09 Representations and Warranties of Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo, in its capacity as a Custodian, hereby represents and warrants to the Depositor, the Master Servicer and the Trustee, as of the Closing Date: (a) Such Custodian is duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and is duly authorized and qualified to transact any and all business contemplated by this Agreement to be conducted by such Custodian or is otherwise not required under applicable law to effect such qualification and, in any event, is in compliance with the doing business laws of any such state, to the extent necessary to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof. (b) Such Custodian has the full 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 action on the part of such Custodian the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; and this Agreement, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Custodian, enforceable against such Custodian in accordance with its terms, except that (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, receivership and other similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) 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. (c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Custodian, the consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms thereof are in the ordinary course of business of such Custodian and will not (i) result in a material breach of any term or provision of the articles of incorporation or by laws of such Custodian, (ii) 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 such Custodian is a party or by which it may be bound, or (iii) constitute a material violation of any statute, order or regulation applicable to such Custodian of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over such Custodian; and such Custodian 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 such Custodian's ability to perform or meet any of its obligations under this Agreement. (d) No litigation is pending or threatened against such Custodian that would materially and adversely affect the execution, delivery or enforceability of this Agreement or the ability of such Custodian to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof. 49 (e) No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution, delivery and performance by such Custodian of, or compliance by such Custodian with, this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, or if any such consent, approval, authorization or order is required, such Custodian has obtained the same. (f) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Custodian, the consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms thereof are in the ordinary course of business of such Custodian and will not result in a material breach of any term or provision of the articles of incorporation or by laws of such Custodian ARTICLE III TRUST ACCOUNTS Section 3.01 Excess Reserve Fund Account; Distribution Account. (a) The Securities Administrator shall establish and maintain the Excess Reserve Fund Account to receive any Basis Risk Payment and to secure their limited recourse obligation to pay to the LIBOR Certificateholders any Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts (prior to using any Net Swap Receipt Amounts). On each Distribution Date, the Securities Administrator shall deposit the amount of any Basis Risk Payment received by it for such date into the Excess Reserve Fund Account. For the avoidance of doubt, any Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts shall be paid to the LIBOR Certificates first from the Excess Reserve Fund Account and then from the Supplemental Interest Trust. On each Distribution Date on which there exists a Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount on any Class or Classes of LIBOR Certificates, the Securities Administrator shall (1) withdraw from the Distribution Account, to the extent of funds available therefor in the Distribution Account, and deposit in the Excess Reserve Fund Account, as set forth in Section 4.01(a)(iii)(L), the lesser of (x) the Class X Distributable Amount (without regard to the reduction in clause (iii) of the definition thereof with respect to Basis Risk Payments) (to the extent remaining after the distributions specified in Sections 4.01(a)(iii)(A)-(K)) and (y) the aggregate Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount of the LIBOR Certificates for such Distribution Date and (2) withdraw from the Excess Reserve Fund Account and the Supplemental Interest Account amounts necessary (including Net Swap Payment Amounts or Swap Termination Payments (other than amounts received pursuant to an ISDA Credit Support Annex negotiated between the Trust and the Swap Provider)) to pay to such Class or Classes of Certificates the related Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount. Such payments shall be allocated to those Classes based upon the amount of Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount owed to each such Class and shall be paid in the priority set forth in Section 4.01(a)(iii)(L). The Securities Administrator shall account for the Excess Reserve Fund Account as an asset of a grantor trust under subpart E, Part I of subchapter J of the Code and not as an asset of any Trust REMIC created pursuant to this Agreement. The beneficial owners of the Excess Reserve Fund Account are the Class X Certificateholders. For all federal income tax purposes, amounts transferred to the Excess Reserve Fund Account shall be treated as 50 distributions by the Securities Administrator from the Upper-Tier REMIC to the Class X Interest and from the Class X REMIC to the Class X Certificates and then contributed by the Class X Certificateholders to the Excess Reserve Fund Account. Any Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts distributed by the Securities Administrator to the Principal Certificateholders shall be accounted for by the Securities Administrator, for federal income tax purposes, as amounts paid first to the Holders of the Class X Certificates and then to the respective Class or Classes of LIBOR Certificates in accordance with the priority of payments in this Section 3.01. In addition, the Securities Administrator shall account for the Principal Certificateholders' rights to receive payments of Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts as rights in a limited recourse interest rate cap contract written by the Class X Certificateholders in favor of the Holders of each such Class. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement, the Securities Administrator shall not be required to make any distributions from the Excess Reserve Fund Account except as expressly set forth in this Section 3.01(a). (b) The Securities Administrator shall establish and maintain the Distribution Account on behalf of the Certificateholders. The amount remitted by the Servicer to the Master Servicer on each Remittance Date shall be credited to the Distribution Account within two (2) Business Days once the amounts are identified as a remittance in connection with the Trust and reconciled to the reports provided by the Servicer. The Securities Administrator shall establish and maintain the Distribution Account on behalf of the Certificateholders. The Master Servicer shall, promptly upon receipt on the Business Day received, deposit in the Distribution Account and retain therein the following: (i) the aggregate amount remitted by the Servicers to the Master Servicer pursuant to the Servicing Agreements; (ii) any Net Swap Receipt Amounts or Swap Termination Payments (other than amounts received pursuant to an ISDA Credit Support Annex negotiated between the Trust and the Swap Provider) remitted by the Swap Provider; and (iii) any other amounts deposited hereunder which are required to be deposited in the Distribution Account. In the event that any Servicer shall remit any amount not required to be remitted pursuant to the applicable Servicing Agreement, and such Servicer directs the Master Servicer in writing to withdraw such amount from the Distribution Account, the Master Servicer shall return such funds to the applicable Servicer. All funds deposited in the Distribution Account shall be held by the Securities Administrator in trust for the Certificateholders until disbursed in accordance with this Agreement or withdrawn in accordance with Section 4.01. (c) From time to time, the Securities Administrator may also establish any other accounts for the purposes of carrying out its duties hereunder (including, without limitation, any account necessary under the Interest Rate Swap Agreement). 51 Section 3.02 Investment of Funds in the Distribution Account. (a) Other than during the Master Servicer Float Period, the Depositor shall direct the investment of funds held in the Distribution Account in one or more Permitted Investments. Absent such direction, the Securities Administrator shall invest such funds during such period in the Wells Fargo Advantage Prime Investment Money Market Fund so long as such fund is a Permitted Investment. The Securities Administrator may (but shall not be obligated to) invest funds in the Distribution Account during the Master Servicer Float Period (for purposes of this Section 3.02, such Account is referred to as an "Investment Account"), in one or more Permitted Investments bearing interest or sold at a discount, and maturing, unless payable on demand, or maturing on such Distribution Date, in the case of an investment that is an obligation of Wells Fargo, no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn from such account pursuant to this Agreement. All such Permitted Investments shall be held to maturity, unless payable on demand. Any investment of funds in an Investment Account shall be made in the name of the Securities Administrator. The Securities Administrator shall be entitled to sole possession over each such investment, and any certificate or other instrument evidencing any such investment shall be delivered directly to the Securities Administrator or its agent, together with any document of transfer necessary to transfer title to such investment to the Securities Administrator. In the event amounts on deposit in an Investment Account are at any time invested in a Permitted Investment payable on demand, the Securities Administrator may: (x) consistent with any notice required to be given thereunder, demand that payment thereon be made on the last day such Permitted Investment may otherwise mature hereunder in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) all amounts then payable thereunder and (2) the amount required to be withdrawn on such date; and (y) demand payment of all amounts due thereunder that such Permitted Investment would not constitute a Permitted Investment in respect of funds thereafter on deposit in the Investment Account. (b) All income and gain realized from the investment of funds deposited in the Distribution Account held by the Securities Administrator during the Master Servicer Float Period shall be subject to the Securities Administrator's withdrawal in the manner set forth in Section 10.05. (c) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, if any default occurs in the making of a payment due under any Permitted Investment, or if a default occurs in any other performance required under any Permitted Investment, the Securities Administrator shall take such action as may be appropriate to enforce such payment or performance, including the institution and prosecution of appropriate proceedings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositor shall be liable to the Trust for any loss on any investment of funds in the Distribution Account other than during the Master Servicer Float Period and the Securities Administrator shall be liable to the Trust for any such loss on any funds it has invested under this Section 3.02 only during the Master Servicer Float Period, and the Depositor or the Securities Administrator, as the case may be, shall deposit funds in the amount of such loss in the Distribution Account promptly after such loss is incurred. 52 (d) The Securities Administrator or its Affiliates are permitted to receive additional compensation that could be deemed to be in the Securities Administrator's economic self-interest for (i) serving as investment adviser, administrator, shareholder, servicing agent, custodian or sub-custodian with respect to certain of the Permitted Investments, (ii) using Affiliates to effect transactions in certain Permitted Investments and (iii) effecting transactions in certain Permitted Investments. Such compensation is not payable or reimbursable under Section 8.06 of this Agreement. (e) In order to comply with its duties under the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, U.S. Bank, as a Custodian, JPMorgan, as a Custodian and Wells Fargo, as a Custodian may obtain and verify certain information and documentation from the other parties to this Agreement including, but not limited to, each such party's name, address and other identifying information. (f) In order to comply with laws, rules and regulations applicable to banking institutions, including those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, Deutsche Bank as Trustee and a Custodian is required to obtain, verify and record certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with Deutsche Bank. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees to provide to Deutsche Bank upon its request from time to time such party's complete name, address, tax identification number and such other identifying information together with copies of such party's constituting documentation, securities disclosure documentation and such other identifying documentation as may be available for such party. ARTICLE IV DISTRIBUTIONS Section 4.01 Priorities of Distribution. On each Distribution Date, the Securities Administrator shall make the disbursements and transfers from amounts then on deposit in the Distribution Account in the following order of priority and to the extent of the Available Funds remaining: (i) to the holders of each class of LIBOR Certificates and to the Supplemental Interest Trust in the following order of priority: (a) to the Supplemental Interest Trust, the sum of (x) all net Swap Payment Amounts and (y) any Swap Termination Payment owed to the Swap Provider other than a defaulted Swap Termination Payment owed to the Swap Provider, if any; (b) concurrently, (x) from the portion of available funds allocable to the Group I Mortgage Loans, to the Class 1A1 Certificates and (y) from the portion of available funds allocable to the Group II Mortgage Loans, to the Class 2A1, Class 2A2, Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B Certificates, their accrued certificate interest for the related Interest Accrual Period and any unpaid interest amounts from prior distribution dates, allocated pro rata based on their respective entitlements to those amounts (provided, that if such funds allocable to either group of Mortgage Loans are insufficient to make the related payments set forth above, any such funds allocable to the other group remaining after making the related payments set forth above will be available to cover that shortfall); 53 (c) from any remaining Interest Remittance Amounts, to the Class M Certificates, sequentially, in ascending numerical order, their related accrued certificate interest for that Distribution Date; and (d) from any remaining Interest Remittance Amounts, to the Class B certificates sequentially, in ascending numerical order, their related accrued certificate interest for that Distribution Date; (ii) (A) on each Distribution Date (x) prior to the Stepdown Date or (y) with respect to which a Trigger Event is in effect, to the holders of the class or classes of LIBOR Certificates and Residual Certificates then entitled to distributions of principal as set forth below, an amount equal to the portion of available funds allocated to principal payments on the Mortgage Loans in the following order of priority: (a)concurrently, to the Class R, Class RC and Class RX Certificates, pro rata, from principal payments related to the Group II Mortgage Loans, until their respective class certificate balances have been reduced to zero; (b)to the Class A Certificates, in the following order of priority: concurrently, (i) from principal payments related to the Group I Mortgage Loans, to the Class 1A1 Certificates, until the Class Certificate Balance has been reduced to zero; (ii) from principal payments related to the Group II Mortgage Loans, in the following order of priority: (1) sequentially, to the Class 2A1 and Class 2A2 Certificates, in that order, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; and (2) concurrently, to the Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B Certificates, allocated pro rata among these certificates, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; with the exception that if a Group II Sequential Trigger Event is in effect, principal distributions to the Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B certificates will be allocated sequentially, to the Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B certificates, in that order, until their respective class certificate balances have been reduced to zero; provided, that if after making the distributions above on any distribution date (without giving effect to this proviso) the class certificate balance of any class of Class A Certificates is reduced to zero (considering the Class 2A1, Class 2A2, Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B Certificates as one class for purposes of this proviso only), then the remaining amount of principal distributable pursuant to this subsection (b) to the Class A Certificates on such Distribution Date will be distributed to the other Class A Certificates remaining outstanding in accordance with the applicable distribution priorities, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; 54 (c)from any remaining principal distribution amounts, to the Class M Certificates, sequentially, in ascending numerical order, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; and (d)from any remaining principal distribution amounts, to the Class B Certificates, sequentially, in ascending numerical order, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; (B) on each Distribution Date (x) on and after the Stepdown Date and (y) as long as a Trigger Event is not in effect, to the holders of the class or classes of LIBOR Certificates then entitled to distributions of principal as set forth below, an amount equal to the portion of available funds allocated to principal payments on the Mortgage Loans in the following order of priority: (a) to the Class A Certificates, in the following order of priority: (i) concurrently, (1) to the Class 1A1 Certificates, the lesser of the portion of available funds allocated to principal payments on the Group I Mortgage Loans and the allocable portion for the Class 1A Certificates of the principal distribution entitlement for the Class A Certificates, allocated until the Class Certificate Balance has been reduced to zero; and (2) to the Class 2A Certificates, in each case, in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of the portion of available funds allocated to principal payments on the Group II Mortgage Loans and allocable portion for the Class 2A Certificates of the principal distribution entitlement for the Class A Certificates, allocated until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero, in the following order of priority; (A) sequentially, to the Class 2A1 and Class 2A2 Certificates, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; and (B) concurrently, to the Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B Certificates, allocated pro rata among these certificates, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; and provided that if after making the distributions above on any Distribution Date (without giving effect to this proviso) the class certificate balance of any class of Class A Certificates is reduced to zero (considering the Class 2A1, Class 2A2, Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B Certificates as one class for purposes of this proviso only), then the remaining amount of principal distributable pursuant to this subsection (a) to the Class A Certificates on such Distribution Date will be distributed to the other Class A Certificates remaining outstanding in accordance with the applicable distribution priorities, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; 55 (b)from any remaining principal distribution amount, to the Class M Certificates, sequentially, in ascending numerical order, in each case, the lesser of the remaining portion of the available funds allocable to principal payments on the Mortgage Loans and an amount equal to the principal distribution entitlement for that class of certificates, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; and (c)from any remaining principal distribution amount, to the Class B Certificates, sequentially, in ascending numerical order, in each case, the lesser of the remaining portion of the available funds allocable to principal payments on the Mortgage Loans and an amount equal to the principal distribution entitlement for that class of certificates, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero; (iii) any available funds remaining after the distributions in clauses (i) and (ii) above is required to be distributed in the following order of priority with respect to the certificates: (a)if and to the extent that the Interest Remittance Amounts distributed pursuant to clause (i) above were insufficient to make the full distributions in respect of interest set forth in such clause, (x) to the holders of each class of the Class A Certificates, any unpaid accrued certificate interest for that Distribution Date and any unpaid accrued certificate interest amounts, pro rata among such classes based on their entitlement to those amounts, and then (y) to the holders of each class of the Class M and Class B Certificates, any unpaid accrued certificate interest for that Distribution Date, in the order of priority for such classes set forth in clause (i) above; (b)to the Class M Certificates, sequentially, in ascending numerical order, any unpaid accrued certificate interest amount for those classes; (c)to the Class B Certificates, sequentially, in ascending numerical order, any unpaid accrued certificate interest amount for those classes; (d)to the Excess Reserve Fund Account, the amount of any Basis Risk Payment (without regard to net swap receipt amounts) for that Distribution Date; (e)from funds on deposit in the Excess Reserve Fund Account with respect to that Distribution Date, an amount equal to any Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount with respect to the LIBOR Certificates for that Distribution Date in the same order and priority in which accrued certificate interest is allocated among those classes of certificates, with the allocation to the Class A certificates being allocated pro rata based on their Class Certificate Balances; (e) to the Supplemental Interest Trust, the amount of any defaulted Swap Termination Payment owed to the Swap Provider; (f) to the Class X Certificates, those amounts as set forth in the master servicing and trust agreement; and (g) to the holders of the Class R, Class RC and Class RX Certificates, any remaining amount as set forth in the master servicing and trust agreement. 56 Notwithstanding the foregoing allocation of principal to the Class A certificates from and after the distribution date on which the aggregate class certificate balances of the Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3, Class M-4, Class M-5, Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 certificates and the overcollateralized amount have been reduced to zero, any principal distributions allocated to the Class A certificates are required to be allocated pro rata to the Class A certificates, based on their respective class certificate balances, until their class certificate balances have been reduced to zero; with the exception that if a Group II Sequential Trigger Event is in effect, principal distributions to the Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B certificates will be allocated first to the Class 2A3A certificates, until its class certificate balance has been reduced to zero, and then to the Class 2A3B certificates, until its class certificate balance has been reduced to zero. (b) On each Distribution Date, all amounts representing Prepayment Premiums from the Mortgage Loans received during the related Principal Prepayment Period shall be distributed by the Securities Administrator to the holders of the Class P Certificates. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing description of allocation of principal distributions to the Class A Certificates, from and after the Distribution Date on which the aggregate Class Certificate Balance of the Subordinated Certificates and the Overcollateralized Amount have been reduced to zero, any principal distributions to the holders of the Class A certificates on any Distribution Date will be allocated between the Class 1A Certificate Group (i.e., the Class 1A1 certificates) and the Class 2A Certificate Group (i.e., the Class 2A1, Class 2A2, Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B certificates) based on the Class A Principal Allocation Percentage applicable to each Class A Certificate Group for that Distribution Date except that so long as a Group II Sequential Trigger Event is in effect, principal distributions to the Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B Certificates shall be allocated sequentially, to the Class 2A3A and Class 2A3B Certificates, in that order, until their respective Class Certificate Balances have been reduced to zero. (d) On any Distribution Date, any Relief Act Interest Shortfalls and Net Prepayment Interest Shortfalls for such Distribution Date shall be allocated pro rata, as a reduction of the Accrued Certificate Interest Distribution Amount for the Class A, Class M and Class B Certificates, based on the Accrued Certificate Interest Distribution Amount to which such Classes would otherwise be entitled on such Distribution Date. (e) Upon any exercise of the purchase option set forth in Section 11.01(a), the Securities Administrator shall distribute to the holders of the Class RC Certificates any amounts required to be distributed on the Class RC Certificates pursuant to Section 11.02. Section 4.02 Monthly Statements to Certificateholders. (a) Not later than each Distribution Date, the Securities Administrator shall make available to each Certificateholder, the Depositor, the Trustee and each Rating Agency a statement based, in part, upon the information provided by the Servicers setting forth with respect to the related distribution: (i) the amount thereof allocable to principal, separately identifying the aggregate amount of any Principal Prepayments and Liquidation Proceeds included therein; 57 (ii) the amount thereof allocable to interest, any Unpaid Interest Amount included in such distribution and any remaining Unpaid Interest Amount after giving effect to such distribution, any Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount for such Distribution Date and the amount of all Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount covered by withdrawals from the Excess Reserve Fund Account on such Distribution Date; (iii) if the distribution to the Holders of such Class of Certificates is less than the full amount that would be distributable to such Holders if there were sufficient funds available therefor, the amount of the shortfall and the allocation thereof as between principal and interest, including any Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount not covered by amounts in the Excess Reserve Fund Account; (iv) the Class Certificate Balance of each Class of Certificates and the notional amount of the Class P Certificates after giving effect to the distribution of principal on such Distribution Date; (v) the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans for the following Distribution Date; (vi) the amount of the expenses and fees paid to or retained by the Servicer and paid to or retained by the Trustee with respect to such Distribution Date; (vii) the amount of any Administrative Fees paid to the Master Servicer or Securities Administrator with respect to such Distribution Date; (viii) the Pass-Through Rate for each such Class of Certificates with respect to such Distribution Date; (ix) the amount of Advances included in the distribution on such Distribution Date and the aggregate amount of Advances reported by the Servicers (and the Master Servicer, the Trustee as successor master servicer and any other successor master servicer, if applicable) as outstanding as of the close of business on the Determination Date immediately preceding such Distribution Date; (x) the number and aggregate outstanding principal balances of Mortgage Loans (1) as to which the Monthly Payment is delinquent 31 to 60 days, 61 to 90 days and 91 or more days, (2) that have become REO Property, (3) that are in foreclosure and (4) that are in bankruptcy, in each case as of the close of business on the last Business Day of the immediately preceding month; (xi) with respect to each Mortgage Loan that became an REO Property during the preceding calendar month, the aggregate number of such Mortgage Loans and the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loans as of the close of business on the Determination Date preceding such Distribution Date and the date of acquisition thereof; 58 (xii) the total number and principal balance of any REO Properties (and market value, if available) as of the close of business on the Determination Date preceding such Distribution Date; (xiii) whether a Trigger Event has occurred and is continuing (including the calculation demonstrating the existence of the Trigger Event and the aggregate outstanding balance of all 60+ Day Delinquent Mortgage Loans); (xiv) the amount on deposit in the Excess Reserve Fund Account (after giving effect to distributions on such Distribution Date); (xv) in the aggregate and for each Class of Certificates, the aggregate amount of Applied Realized Loss Amounts incurred during the preceding calendar month and aggregate Applied Realized Loss Amounts through such Distribution Date; (xvi) the amount of any Net Monthly Excess Cash Flow on such Distribution Date and the allocation thereof to the Certificateholders with respect to Unpaid Interest Amounts; (xvii) the Overcollateralized Amount and Specified Overcollateralized Amount; (xviii) the Prepayment Premiums collected by or paid by the Servicers; (xix) the percentage equal to the aggregate realized losses divided by the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date; (xx) the amount distributed on the Class X and Class P Certificates; (xxi) the amount of any Subsequent Recoveries for such Distribution Date; and (xxii) updated Mortgage Loan information, such as weighted average interest rate, and weighted average remaining term. (b) The Securities Administrator's responsibility for providing the above statement to the Certificateholders, each Rating Agency, the Trustee and the Depositor is limited to the availability, timeliness and accuracy of the information derived from the Master Servicer, the Servicers and the Responsible Parties. The Securities Administrator shall provide the above statement via the Securities Administrator's internet website. Assistance in using the website can be obtained by calling the Securities Administrator's investor relations desk at (301) 815-6600. The Securities Administrator will also make a paper copy of the above statement available upon request. (c) Upon request, within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar year, the Securities Administrator shall cause to be furnished to each Person who at any time during the calendar year was a Certificateholder, a statement containing the information set forth in clauses (a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(iii) and (a)(vii) of this Section 4.02 aggregated for such calendar year or applicable portion thereof during which such Person was a Certificateholder. Such obligation of the Securities Administrator shall be deemed to have been satisfied to the extent 59 that substantially comparable information shall be provided by the Securities Administrator pursuant to any requirements of the Code as from time to time in effect. The Securities Administrator shall be entitled to rely on information provided by third parties for purposes of preparing the foregoing report, but shall not be responsible for the accuracy of such information. Section 4.03 Allocation of Applied Realized Loss Amounts. Any Applied Realized Loss Amounts will be allocated to the most junior Class of Subordinated Certificates then outstanding in reduction of the Class Certificate Balance thereof. In the event, Applied Realized Loss Amounts are allocated to any Class of Certificates, their Class Certificate Balance shall be reduced by the amount so allocated and no funds shall be distributed with respect to the written down amounts or with respect to interest or Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts on the written down amounts on that Distribution Date or any future Distribution Dates, even if funds are otherwise available therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Class Certificate Balance of each Class of Subordinated Certificates that has been previously reduced by Applied Realized Loss Amounts will be increased, in the order of seniority, by the amount of the Subsequent Recoveries (but not in excess of the Applied Realized Loss Amount allocated to the applicable Class of Subordinated Certificates). Section 4.04 Certain Matters Relating to the Determination of LIBOR. LIBOR shall be calculated by the Securities Administrator in accordance with the definition of "LIBOR." Until all of the LIBOR Certificates are paid in full, the Securities Administrator will at all times retain at least four Reference Banks for the purpose of determining LIBOR with respect to each LIBOR Determination Date. The Securities Administrator initially shall designate the Reference Banks (after consultation with the Depositor). Each "Reference Bank" shall be a leading bank engaged in transactions in Eurodollar deposits in the international Eurocurrency market, shall not control, be controlled by, or be under common control with, the Securities Administrator and shall have an established place of business in London. If any such Reference Bank should be unwilling or unable to act as such or if the Securities Administrator should terminate its appointment as Reference Bank, the Securities Administrator shall promptly appoint or cause to be appointed another Reference Bank (after consultation with the Depositor). The Securities Administrator shall have no liability or responsibility to any Person for (i) the selection of any Reference Bank for purposes of determining LIBOR or (ii) any inability to retain at least four Reference Banks which is caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control. The Pass-Through Rate for each Class of LIBOR Certificates for each Interest Accrual Period shall be determined by the Securities Administrator on each LIBOR Determination Date so long as the LIBOR Certificates are outstanding on the basis of LIBOR and the respective formulae appearing in footnotes corresponding to the LIBOR Certificates in the table relating to the Certificates in the Preliminary Statement. The Securities Administrator shall not have any liability or responsibility to any Person for its inability, following a good faith reasonable effort, to obtain quotations from the Reference Banks or to determine the arithmetic mean referred to in the definition of LIBOR, all as provided for in this Section 4.04 and the 60 definition of LIBOR. The establishment of LIBOR and each Pass-Through Rate for the LIBOR Certificates by the Securities Administrator shall (in the absence of manifest error) be final, conclusive and binding upon each Holder of a Certificate and the Trustee. Section 4.05 Supplemental Interest Trust. On the Closing Date, the Securities Administrator on behalf of the Trustee shall establish and maintain a separate non-interest bearing trust (the "Supplemental Interest Trust") to which the Securities Administrator will transfer and assign the Interest Rate Swap Agreement. The Supplemental Interest Trust shall be an Eligible Account, and funds on deposit therein shall be held separate and apart from, and shall not be commingled with, any other moneys, including, without limitation, other moneys of the Securities Administrator held pursuant to this Agreement. On any Distribution Date, Swap Termination Payments, Net Swap Payment Amounts owed to the Swap Provider and Net Swap Receipt Amounts for that Distribution Date will be deposited into the Supplemental Interest Trust. Funds in the Supplemental Interest Trust will be distributed in the following order of priority: (i) to the Swap Provider, the sum of (x) all Net Swap Payment Amounts and (y) any Swap Termination Payment, other than a Defaulted Swap Termination Payment, to the Swap Provider, if any, owed for that Distribution Date; (ii) to the Certificateholders, to pay Accrued Certificate Interest and, if applicable, any Unpaid Interest Amounts as described in clause (i) of "--Priorities of Distributions" above, to the extent unpaid from other Available Funds; (iii) to the Certificateholders, to pay principal as described in clause (ii)(A) and clause (ii)(B) of "--Priorities of Distributions" above, but only to the extent necessary to maintain the Overcollateralized Amount at the Specified Overcollateralized Amount, after giving effect to payments and distributions from other Available Funds; (iv) to the Certificateholders, to pay Unpaid Interest Amounts and Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts as described in clause (iii) of "--Priorities of Distributions" above, to the extent unpaid from other Available Funds (including funds on deposit in the Excess Reserve Fund Account); (v) to the Swap Provider, any Defaulted Swap Termination Payment owed to the Swap Provider for that Distribution Date; and (vi) to the holders of the Class X Certificates, any remaining amounts. Upon termination of the Trust, any amounts remaining in the Supplemental Interest Trust shall be distributed pursuant to the priorities set forth in this Section 4.05. The Securities Administrator shall account for the Supplemental Interest Trust as an asset of a grantor trust under subpart E, Part I of subchapter J of the Code and not as an asset of any Trust REMIC created pursuant to this Agreement. The beneficial owners of the Supplemental Interest Trust are the Class X Certificateholders. For federal income tax purposes, Net Swap Payment Amounts and Swap Termination Payments payable to the Swap Provider 61 shall be deemed to be paid to the Supplemental Interest Trust first, from the Upper-Tier REMIC, by the Holder of the Class X Certificates and second, other than any Defaulted Swap Termination Payment, from the Upper-Tier REMIC by the Holders of the applicable Class or Classes of LIBOR Certificates as and to the extent provided in Section 8.14. Any Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts (defined solely for this purpose as any excess of monies received for such Distribution Date over the REMIC Cap) distributed by the Securities Administrator to the LIBOR Certificateholders shall be accounted for by the Securities Administrator, for federal income tax purposes, as amounts paid first to the Holders of the Class X Certificates in respect of the Class X Interest and (to the extent remaining after payments to the Swap Provider) then to the respective Class or Classes of LIBOR Certificates. In addition, the Securities Administrator shall account for the rights of Holders of each Class of LIBOR Certificates to receive payments of Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts (defined solely for this purpose as any excess of monies received for such Distribution Date over the REMIC Cap) from the Supplemental Interest Trust (along with Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts (defined solely for this purpose as any excess of monies received for such Distribution Date over the REMIC Cap) payable from the Excess Reserve Fund Account) as rights in a separate limited recourse interest rate cap contract written by the Class X Certificateholders in favor of Holders of each such Class. The Supplemental Interest Trust shall be an "outside reserve fund" for federal income tax purposes and will not be an asset of any Trust REMIC. Furthermore, the Holders of the Class X Certificates shall be the beneficial owners of the Supplemental Interest Trust for all federal income tax purposes, and shall be taxable on all income earned thereon. Section 4.06 Trust's Obligations under the Interest Rate Swap Agreement; Replacement and Termination of the Interest Rate Swap Agreement. (a) Upon the Trustee obtaining actual knowledge of the rating of the Swap Provider falling below the Required Hedge Counterparty Rating (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement), the Trustee, acting at the written direction of the Depositor, shall attempt to negotiate an ISDA Credit Support Annex (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement with the Swap Provider that meets the terms of the Interest Rate Swap Agreement. If an ISDA Credit Support Annex is negotiated, the Trustee, acting at the written direction of the Depositor, shall set up an account in accordance with Section 3.01(c) to hold cash or other eligible investments pledged under such ISDA Credit Support Annex. Any cash or other eligible investments pledged under an ISDA Credit Support Annex shall not be part of the Distribution Account, the Excess Reserve Fund Account or the Supplemental Interest Trust unless they are applied in accordance with such ISDA Credit Support Annex to make a payment due to the Trust pursuant to the Interest Rate Swap Agreement. (b) Upon the Trustee obtaining actual knowledge of an Event of Default (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement) or Termination Event (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement) for which the Trust has the right to designate an Early Termination Date (as defined in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement), the Trustee will act at the written direction of the Depositor as to whether it will designate an Early Termination Date; provided, however, that the Trust shall provide written notice to each Rating Agency following the Event of Default or 62 Termination Event. Upon the termination of the Interest Rate Swap Agreement under the circumstances contemplated by this Section 4.06(b), the Trust shall use its reasonable best efforts to enforce the rights of the Trust and the Trustee thereunder as may be permitted by the terms of the Interest Rate Swap Agreement and consistent with the terms hereof, and shall apply the proceeds of any such efforts to enter into a replacement interest rate swap agreement with another swap provider. To the extent such replacement interest rate swap agreement can be entered into, any termination payments received by the Trust in respect of the terminated interest rate swap agreement shall be used, to the extent necessary, by the Trust for the purpose of entering into such replacement interest rate swap agreement. ARTICLE V THE CERTIFICATES Section 5.01 The Certificates. The Certificates shall be substantially in the forms attached hereto as exhibits. The Certificates shall be issuable in registered form, in the minimum denominations, integral multiples in excess thereof (except that one Certificate in each Class may be issued in a different amount) and aggregate denominations per Class set forth in the Preliminary Statement. The Depositor hereby directs the Securities Administrator to register the Class X and Class P Certificates in the name of the Depositor or its designee. On a date as to which the Depositor notifies the Securities Administrator, the Depositor hereby directs the Securities Administrator to transfer the Class X and Class P Certificates in the name of the NIM Trustee or such other name or names as the Depositor shall request, and to deliver the Class X and Class P Certificates to the NIM Trustee, or to such other person or persons as the Depositor shall request. Subject to Section 11.02 respecting the final distribution on the Certificates, on each Distribution Date the Securities Administrator shall make distributions to each Certificateholder of record on the preceding Record Date either (x) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account of such holder at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor as directed by that Certificateholder by written wire instructions provided to the Securities Administrator or (y), in the event that no wire instructions are provided to the Securities Administrator, by check mailed by first class mail to such Certificateholder at the address of such holder appearing in the Certificate Register. 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 such signatures were affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Securities Administrator shall bind the Securities Administrator, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to be so authorized prior to the authentication and delivery of any such Certificates or did not hold such office at the date of such Certificate. No Certificate shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement, or be valid for any purpose, unless authenticated by the Securities Administrator by manual signature, and such authentication upon any Certificate shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Certificate has been duly executed and delivered hereunder. All Certificates shall be dated the date of their authentication. On the Closing Date, the Securities 63 Administrator shall authenticate the Certificates to be issued at the 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, in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.06, 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 execute and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Certificates of the same Class and 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 which the Certificateholder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Every Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Securities Administrator duly executed by the holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. In the event, the Depositor or an Affiliate transfers the Class X Certificates, or a portion thereof, to another Affiliate, it shall notify the Securities Administrator in writing of the affiliated status of the transferee. The Securities Administrator shall have no liability regarding the lack of notice with respect thereto. 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 cancelled and subsequently destroyed by the Securities Administrator in accordance with the Securities Administrator's customary procedures. (b) No transfer of a Private 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 said Act and such state securities laws. Except with respect to (i) the initial transfer of the Class X or Class P Certificates on the Closing Date, (ii) the transfer of the Class X or Class P Certificates to the NIM Issuer or the NIM Trustee, or (iii) a transfer of the Class X or Class P Certificates to the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor, in the event that a transfer of a Private Certificate which is a Physical Certificate 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 shall certify to the Securities Administrator in writing the facts surrounding the transfer in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit H (the "Transferor Certificate") and either (i) there shall be delivered to the Securities Administrator a 64 letter in substantially the form of Exhibit I (the "Rule 144A Letter") or (ii) there shall be delivered to the Securities Administrator at the expense of the transferor an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer may be made without registration under the Securities Act. In the event that a transfer of a Private Certificate which is a Book-Entry Certificate 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 will be deemed to have made as of the transfer date each of the certifications set forth in the Transferor Certificate in respect of such Certificate and the transferee will be deemed to have made as of the transfer date each of the certifications set forth in the Rule 144A Letter in respect of such Certificate, in each case as if such Certificate were evidenced by a Physical Certificate. The Depositor shall provide to any Holder of a Private Certificate and any prospective transferee designated by any such Holder, information regarding the related Certificates and the Mortgage Loans and such other information as shall be necessary to satisfy the condition to eligibility set forth in Rule 144A(d)(4) for transfer of any such Certificate without registration thereof under the Securities Act pursuant to the registration exemption provided by Rule 144A. The Trustee and 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 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 Private Certificate desiring to effect such transfer shall, and does hereby agree to, indemnify the Trustee and the Depositor and each Servicer 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. Except with respect to (i) the initial transfer of the Class X or Class P Certificates on the Closing Date, (ii) the transfer of the Class X or Class P Certificates to the NIM Issuer or the NIM Trustee or (iii) a transfer of the Class X or Class P Certificates to the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor, no transfer of an ERISA-Restricted Certificate shall be made unless the Securities Administrator shall have received either (i) a representation from the transferee of such Certificate acceptable to and in form and substance satisfactory to the Securities Administrator (in the event such Certificate is a Private Certificate or a Residual Certificate, such requirement is satisfied only by the Securities Administrator's receipt of a representation letter from the transferee substantially in the form of Exhibit G), to the effect that such transferee is not an employee benefit plan or arrangement subject to Section 406 of ERISA, a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code or a plan subject to any Federal, state or local law ("Similar Law") materially similar to the foregoing provisions of ERISA or the Code, nor a person acting on behalf of any such plan or arrangement nor using the assets of any such plan or arrangement to effect such transfer (each such investor a "Plan"), (ii) in the case of an ERISA-Restricted Certificate (other than a Residual Certificate) that has been the subject of an ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting, a representation that the purchaser is an insurance company that is purchasing such Certificates with funds contained in an "insurance company general account" (as such term is defined in Section V(e) of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 95-60) and that the purchase and holding of such Certificates satisfy the requirements for exemptive relief under Sections I and III of PTCE 95-60 or (iii) in the case of any ERISA-Restricted Certificate presented for registration in the name of an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a plan or arrangement subject to Section 4975 of the Code (or comparable provisions of any subsequent enactments), or a plan subject to Similar Law, or a trustee of any such plan or any 65 other person acting on behalf of any such plan or arrangement or using such plan's or arrangement's assets, an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Securities Administrator and the Depositor, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Trustee, the Depositor, the Securities Administrator or the Trust Fund, addressed to the Securities Administrator and the Depositor, to the effect that the purchase and holding of such ERISA-Restricted Certificate will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction within the meaning of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any Similar Law and will not subject the Trustee, the Depositor, the Master Servicer, any other servicer or the Securities Administrator to any obligation in addition to those expressly undertaken in this Agreement or to any liability. For purposes of the preceding sentence, with respect to an ERISA-Restricted Certificate that is not a Private Certificate or a Residual Certificate, in the event the representation letter referred to in the preceding sentence is not furnished, such representation shall be deemed to have been made to the Securities Administrator by the transferee's (including an initial acquirer's) acceptance of the ERISA-Restricted Certificates. In the event that such representation is violated, or any attempt is made to transfer to a plan or arrangement subject to Section 406 of ERISA, a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code or a plan subject to Similar Law, or a person acting on behalf of any such plan or arrangement or using the assets of any such plan or arrangement, without such Opinion of Counsel, such attempted transfer or acquisition shall be void and of no effect. During the period the Supplemental Interest Trust is in effect, no transfer of a Certificate shall be made unless the Securities Administrator shall have received either a representation from the transferee of such Certificate acceptable to and in form and substance satisfactory to the Securities Administrator to the effect that such transferee is not a Plan, or (ii) a representation that the purchase and holding of the Certificate satisfy the requirements for exemptive relief under PTCE 84-14, PTCE 90-1, PTCE 91-38, PTCE 95-60, PTCE 96-23 or a similar exemption, or in the case of a Plan subject to Similar Law, will not constitute a non-exempt violation of such Similar Law. In the event such a representation letter is not delivered, one of the foregoing representations, as appropriate, shall be deemed to have been made by the transferee's (including an initial acquirer's) acceptance of the Certificate. In the event that such representation is violated, such transfer or acquisition shall be void and of no effect. The Residual Certificates may not be sold to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, any plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code, or any plan subject to any Similar Law or any person investing on behalf of or with plan assets of such plan. The Securities Administrator shall have no duty to monitor transfers of beneficial interests in any Book-Entry Certificate and shall not be under liability to any Person for any registration of transfer of any ERISA Restricted Certificate that is in fact not permitted by this Section 5.02(b) 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 by the Securities Administrator in accordance with the foregoing requirements. (c) Each Person who has or who acquires any Ownership Interest in a Residual 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 Residual Certificate are expressly subject to the following provisions: 66 (i) Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Residual 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; (ii) No Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate may be registered on the Closing Date or thereafter transferred, and the Securities Administrator shall not register the Transfer of any Residual 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 "Transfer Affidavit") of the initial owner or the proposed transferee in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I; (iii) Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate shall agree (A) to obtain a Transfer Affidavit from any other Person to whom such Person attempts to Transfer its Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate, (B) to obtain a Transfer Affidavit from any Person for whom such Person is acting as nominee, trustee or agent in connection with any Transfer of a Residual Certificate and (C) not to Transfer its Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate or to cause the Transfer of an Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate to any other Person if it has actual knowledge that such Person is not a Permitted Transferee; (iv) Any attempted or purported Transfer of any Ownership Interest in a Residual 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 Residual 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 Residual Certificate. Neither the Securities Administrator nor the Trustee shall have any liability to any Person for any registration of Transfer of a Residual 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. The Securities Administrator shall be entitled but not obligated to recover from any Holder of a Residual 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 Residual 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; and (v) The Depositor shall use its best efforts to make available, upon receipt of written request from the Securities Administrator, all information necessary to compute any tax imposed under Section 860E(e) of the Code as a result of a Transfer of an Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate to any Holder who is not a Permitted Transferee. The restrictions on Transfers of a Residual Certificate set forth in this Section 5.02(c) shall cease to apply (and the applicable portions of the legend on a Residual Certificate may be deleted) with respect to Transfers occurring after delivery to the Securities Administrator 67 of an Opinion of Counsel, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Trust Fund, the Trustee, or the Securities Administrator, to the effect that the elimination of such restrictions will not cause any Trust REMIC to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that the Certificates are outstanding or result in the imposition of any tax on the Trust Fund, a Certificateholder or another Person. Each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in a Residual Certificate hereby consents to any amendment of this Agreement which, 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 Residual 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 Residual Certificate which is held by a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee to a Holder that is a Permitted Transferee. (d) The preparation and delivery of all certificates and opinions referred to above in this Section 5.02 in connection with transfer shall be at the expense of the parties to such transfers. (e) Except as provided below, the Book-Entry Certificates shall at all times remain registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and at all times: (i) registration of the Certificates may not be transferred by the Securities Administrator except to another Depository; (ii) the Depository shall maintain book entry records with respect to the Certificate Owners and with respect to ownership and transfers of such Book-Entry Certificates; (iii) ownership and transfers of registration of the Book-Entry Certificates on the books of the Depository shall be governed by applicable rules established by the Depository; (iv) the Depository may collect its usual and customary fees, charges and expenses from its Depository Participants; (v) the Trustee and the Securities Administrator shall deal with the Depository, Depository Participants and indirect participating firms as representatives of the Certificate Owners of the Book-Entry Certificates for purposes of exercising the rights of holders under this Agreement, and requests and directions for and votes of such representatives shall not be deemed to be inconsistent if they are made with respect to different Certificate Owners; and (vi) 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 furnished by the Depository Participants with respect to indirect participating firms and persons shown on the books of such indirect participating firms as direct or indirect Certificate Owners. All transfers by Certificate Owners of Book-Entry Certificates shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by the Depository Participant or brokerage firm representing such Certificate Owner. Each Depository Participant shall only transfer Book-Entry Certificates of Certificate Owners it represents or of brokerage firms for which it acts as agent in accordance with the Depository's normal procedures. If (x) (i) the Depository or the Depositor advises the Securities Administrator in writing that the Depository is no longer willing or able to properly discharge its responsibilities as Depository, and (ii) the Securities Administrator or the Depositor is unable to locate a qualified successor, or (y) the Depositor notifies the Depository of its intent to terminate the book entry system through the Depository, the Depository Participants holding beneficial interests in the Book-Entry Certificates agree to initiate such termination, the Securities Administrator shall notify all Certificate Owners, through the Depository, of the occurrence of 68 any such event and of the availability of definitive, fully registered Certificates (the "Definitive Certificates") to Certificate Owners requesting the same. Upon surrender to the Securities Administrator of the related Class of Certificates by the Depository, accompanied by the instructions from the Depository for registration, the Securities Administrator shall issue the Definitive Certificates. Neither the Depositor nor the Securities Administrator shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instruction and each may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions. The Depositor shall provide the Securities Administrator with an adequate inventory of Certificates to facilitate the issuance and transfer of Definitive Certificates. Upon the issuance of 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 the Definitive Certificates as Certificateholders hereunder; provided, that the Securities Administrator shall not by virtue of its assumption of such obligations become liable to any party for any act or failure to act of the Depository. (f) Each Private Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer and accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, W-8IMY (and all appropriate attachments) or W-9 in form satisfactory to the Securities Administrator, duly executed by the Certificateholder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Certificate presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be canceled and subsequently disposed of by the Securities Administrator in accordance with its customary practice. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Private Certificates, but the Securities Administrator may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Private Certificates. 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 (b) there is delivered to the Depositor, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator such security or indemnity as may be required by them to hold each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Securities Administrator that such Certificate has been acquired by a protected 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, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time. Section 5.04 Persons Deemed Owners. The Trustee, the Depositor, the Securities Administrator and any agent of the Depositor, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee 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 69 other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Depositor or any agent of the Depositor, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Section 5.05 Access to List of Certificateholders' Names and Addresses. If three or more Certificateholders (a) request such information in writing from the 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 which such Certificateholders propose to transmit, or if the Depositor or a Servicer shall request such information in writing from the Securities Administrator, then the Securities Administrator shall, within ten (10) Business Days after the receipt of such request, provide the Depositor, such Servicer or such Certificateholders at such recipients' expense the most recent list of the Certificateholders of such 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 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Securities Administrator will maintain or cause to be maintained at its expense an office or agency or agencies where Certificates may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange. The Securities Administrator initially designates its Corporate Trust Office 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. ARTICLE VI THE DEPOSITOR Section 6.01 Liabilities of the Depositor. The Depositor shall be liable in accordance herewith only to the extent of the obligations specifically and respectively imposed upon and undertaken by it herein. Section 6.02 Merger or Consolidation of the Depositor. The Depositor will keep in full effect its existence, rights and franchises as a corporation or federally chartered savings bank, as the case may be, under the laws of the United States or under the laws of one of the states thereof and will each obtain and preserve its qualification to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Agreement, or any of the Mortgage Loans and to perform its respective duties under this Agreement. Any Person into which the Depositor may be merged or consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Depositor shall be a party, or any person succeeding to the business of the Depositor, shall be the successor of the Depositor, as the case may be, hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. 70 Section 6.03 Limitation on Liability of the Depositor and Others. Neither the Depositor nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be under any liability to the Certificateholders for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to this Agreement, or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that this provision shall not protect the Depositor or any such Person against any breach of representations or warranties made by it herein or protect the Depositor or any such Person from any liability which would otherwise be imposed by reasons of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties hereunder. The Depositor and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Depositor 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 and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Depositor shall be indemnified by the Trust Fund and held harmless against any loss, liability or expense 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 incurred by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties hereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties hereunder. The Depositor shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental to its respective duties hereunder and which in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability; provided, however, that the Depositor may in its discretion undertake any such action (or direct the Trustee to undertake such actions for the benefit of the Certificateholders) that it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of this Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereto and interests of the Trustee and the Certificateholders hereunder. In such event, the legal expenses and costs of such action and any liability resulting therefrom shall be expenses, costs and liabilities of the Trust Fund, the Depositor shall be entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the Distribution Account. Section 6.04 Servicing Compliance Review. Promptly upon receipt from each Servicer of its annual statement of compliance and accountant's report described in the applicable Step 2 Assignment Agreement the Master Servicer shall furnish a copy thereof to the Depositor. Promptly after the Depositor's receipt thereof, the Depositor shall review the same and, if applicable, consult with such Servicer as to the nature of any defaults by such Servicer in the fulfillment of any of its Servicer's obligations under the applicable Servicing Agreement. Section 6.05 Option to Purchase Defaulted Mortgage Loans. The Depositor shall have the option, but is not obligated, to purchase from the Trust any Mortgage Loan that is ninety (90) days or more delinquent. The purchase price therefor shall be 100% of the unpaid principal balance of such Mortgage Loan, plus all related accrued and unpaid interest, and the amount of any unreimbursed Servicing Advances made by the Servicers or the Master Servicer related to the Mortgage Loan. ARTICLE VII SERVICER DEFAULT Section 7.01 Events of Default. If an Event of Default described in any Servicing Agreement shall occur with respect to the related Servicer then, and in each and every 71 such case, so long as such Event of Default shall not have been remedied, the Master Servicer may, or at the direction of Certificateholders entitled to a majority of the Voting Rights the Master Servicer shall, by notice in writing to the applicable Servicer (with a copy to each Rating Agency), terminate all of the rights and obligations of such Servicer under the applicable Servicing Agreement and in and to the Mortgage Loans and the proceeds thereof. The Holders of Certificates evidencing at least 66% of the Voting Rights of Certificates affected by a Event of Default may waive such Event of Default; provided, however, that (a) an Event of Default with respect to any Servicer's obligation to make Monthly Advances may be waived only by all of the holders of the Certificates affected by such Event of Default and (b) no such waiver is permitted that would materially adversely affect any non consenting Certificateholder. On and after the receipt by such Servicer of such written notice of termination, all authority and power of such Servicer hereunder or under the applicable Servicing Agreement, whether with respect to the Mortgage Loans or otherwise, shall pass to and be vested in the Master Servicer. The Master Servicer is hereby authorized and empowered to execute and deliver, on behalf of such 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. Section 7.02 Master Servicer to Act; Appointment of Successor. Within 120 days after the Master Servicer gives, and the applicable Servicer receives a notice of termination pursuant to Section 7.01, the Master Servicer shall, subject to and to the extent provided in Section 7.03, and subject to the rights of the Master Servicer to appoint a successor Servicer pursuant to this Section 7.02, be the successor to the Servicer in its capacity as servicer under the applicable Servicing Agreement and the transactions set forth or provided for herein and in such Servicing Agreement and shall be subject to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities relating thereto placed on the Servicer by the terms and provisions of such Servicing Agreement and applicable law including the obligation to make Monthly Advances or Servicing Advances pursuant to such Servicing Agreement (it being understood and agreed that if any Servicer fails to make an Advance, the Master Servicer shall do so unless a determination has been made that such Advance would constitute a Nonrecoverable Monthly Advance or a Nonrecoverable Servicing Advance). As compensation therefor, the Master Servicer shall be entitled to all funds relating to the Mortgage Loans that the Servicer would have been entitled to charge to the Collection Account if the Servicer had continued to act under the Servicing Agreement including, if the Servicer was receiving the Servicing Fee at the Servicing Fee Rate set forth in the Servicing Agreement (as set forth in the Mortgage Loan Schedule with respect to the related Group I Mortgage Loans and Group II Mortgage Loans, respectively) such Servicing Fee and the income on investments or gain related to the Collection Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Master Servicer may, if it shall be unwilling to so act, or shall, if it is prohibited by applicable law from making Monthly Advances and Servicing Advances pursuant to the applicable Servicing Agreement, or if it is otherwise unable to so act, or, at the written request of Certificateholders entitled to a majority of the Voting Rights, appoint, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint, any established mortgage loan servicing institution the appointment of which does not adversely affect the then current rating of the Certificates by each Rating Agency, as the successor to such Servicer under the applicable Servicing Agreement in the assumption of all or any part of the responsibilities, duties 72 or liabilities of such Servicer. No such appointment of a successor to a Servicer hereunder shall be effective until the Depositor shall have consented thereto. Any successor to such Servicer shall be an institution which is a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac approved seller/servicer in good standing, which has a net worth of at least $25,000,000, which is willing to service the Mortgage Loans and which executes and delivers to the Depositor and the Master Servicer an agreement accepting such delegation and assignment, containing an assumption by such Person of the rights, powers, duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities of such terminated Servicer, (other than liabilities of such terminated Servicer incurred prior to termination of such Servicer under Section 7.01), with like effect as if originally named as a party to this Agreement; provided, that each Rating Agency acknowledges that its rating of the Certificates in effect immediately prior to such assignment and delegation will not be qualified or reduced, as a result of such assignment and delegation. Pending appointment of a successor to a Servicer hereunder, the Master Servicer, unless the Master Servicer is prohibited by law from so acting, shall, subject to this Section 7.02, act in such capacity as hereinabove provided. In connection with such appointment and assumption, the Master Servicer may make such arrangements for the compensation of such successor out of payments on Mortgage Loans as it, the Depositor and such successor shall agree; provided, however, that no such compensation shall be in excess of the Servicing Fee Rate and amounts paid to the Servicer from investments. The Master Servicer and such successor shall take such action, consistent with this Agreement, as shall be necessary to effectuate any such succession. Neither the Master Servicer nor any other successor to a Servicer shall be deemed to be in default hereunder by reason of any failure to make, or any delay in making, any distribution hereunder or any portion thereof or any failure to perform, or any delay in performing, any duties or responsibilities hereunder, in either case caused by the failure of the predecessor Servicer to deliver or provide, or any delay in delivering or providing, any cash, information, documents or records to it. Any successor Servicer shall give notice to the Mortgagors of such change of Servicer, in accordance with applicable federal and state law, and shall, during the term of its service as servicer, maintain in force the policy or policies that each Servicer is required to maintain pursuant to the applicable Servicing Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Master Servicer may not terminate a Servicer without cause. Section 7.03 Master Servicer to Act as Servicer. In the event that a Servicer shall for any other reason no longer be the Servicer, the Master Servicer or another successor Servicer, shall thereupon assume all of the rights and obligations of the predecessor Servicer hereunder arising thereafter pursuant to Section 7.02. Section 7.04 Notification to Certificateholders. (a) Upon any termination of or appointment of a successor to a Servicer, the Securities Administrator shall give prompt written notice thereof to Certificateholders and to each Rating Agency. (b) Promptly after the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Securities Administrator shall transmit by mail to all Certificateholders and each Rating Agency notice of each such Event of Default hereunder known to the Securities Administrator, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. 73 ARTICLE VIII CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE AND THE CUSTODIANS Section 8.01 Duties of the Trustee and the Custodians. The Trustee, before the occurrence of a Master Servicer Event of Default and after the curing of all Master Servicer Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement. In case a Master Servicer Event of Default has occurred and remains uncured, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs. The Trustee and the Custodians, upon receipt of all resolutions, certificates, statements, opinions, reports, documents, orders or other instruments furnished to the Trustee or the Custodians, as applicable, that are specifically required to be furnished pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall examine them to determine whether on their face they are in the form required by this Agreement, or with respect to the documents in the respective Custodial Files whether they satisfy the review criteria set forth in Section 2.02. Neither the Trustee nor the Custodians shall be responsible for the accuracy or content of any resolution, certificate, statement, opinion, report, document, order, or other instrument. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Trustee or the Custodians from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own bad faith or willful misfeasance; provided, however, that: (a) unless a Master Servicer Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee obtains actual knowledge has occurred and is continuing, the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Agreement, the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of the duties and obligations specifically set forth in this Agreement, no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Trustee, and the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement which it believed in good faith to be genuine and to have been duly executed by the proper authorities respecting any matters arising hereunder; (b) the Trustee shall not be liable for an error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it is finally proven that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and (c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting Rights of Certificates relating to the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Agreement. 74 Section 8.02 [Reserved] Section 8.03 Certain Matters Affecting the Trustee and the Custodians. Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01: (a) the Trustee and the Custodians may request and rely upon and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officer's Certificate, Opinion of Counsel, 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 and the Trustee and the Custodians shall have no responsibility to ascertain or confirm the genuineness of any signature of any such party or parties; (b) before taking any action under this Agreement, the Trustee and the Custodians may consult with counsel, financial advisers or accountants and the advice of any such counsel, financial advisers or accountants and any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel; (c) the Trustee and the Custodians shall not be liable 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; (d) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond or other paper or document, unless requested in writing so to do by Holders of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting Rights allocated to each Class of Certificates; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee 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, not assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against such cost, expense or liability as a condition to taking any such action. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the applicable Servicer or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Servicer upon demand from the applicable Servicer's own funds; (e) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, accountants or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agents, accountants or attorneys appointed with due care by it hereunder; (f) neither the Trustee nor the Custodians shall be required to risk or expend its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers hereunder if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it; 75 (g) the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss on any investment of funds pursuant to this Agreement (other than as issuer of the investment security); (h) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of the occurrence of a Master Servicer Event of Default or an Event of Default, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of a Master Servicer Event of Default or an Event of Default, until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof; (i) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts, rights or powers vested in it by 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 this Agreement, unless such Certificateholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby; (j) the right of the Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Agreement shall not be construed as a duty, and the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of such act; (k) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the Trust Fund created hereby or the powers granted hereunder; (l) notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Servicing Agreement, the Trustee shall not consent to a Servicer's request of assigning the Servicing Agreement or the servicing rights thereunder to any other party; (m) the Trustee and the Custodians shall not be accountable and shall have no liability for any acts or omissions by the Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer or other party hereto; (n) in no event shall Deutsche Bank, in its capacity as Trustee and a Custodian hereunder, be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages; and (o) the Securities Administrator is authorized and directed to execute the Interest Rate Swap Agreement. Section 8.04 Trustee and Custodians Not Liable for Certificates or Mortgage Loans. The recitals contained herein and in the Certificates shall be taken as the statements of the Depositor and neither the Trustee nor the Custodians assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee and the Custodians make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement or of the Certificates or of any Mortgage Loan or related document. Neither the Trustee nor the Custodians shall be accountable for the use or application by the Depositor, the Master Servicer, any Servicer or the Securities Administrator of any funds paid to the Depositor, the Master Servicer, any Servicer or the Securities Administrator in respect of the Mortgage Loans or deposited in or withdrawn from the Collection Account or the Distribution Account by the Depositor, the Master Servicer, any Servicer, or the Securities Administrator. 76 The Trustee shall have no responsibility (i) for filing or recording 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 (unless the Trustee shall have become and remains the successor Master Servicer) (ii) to see to any insurance (unless the Trustee shall have become the successor Master Servicer), or (iii) to confirm or verify the contents of any reports or certificates of the Servicers, Securities Administrator or Master Servicer delivered to the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement believed by the Trustee to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Securities Administrator executes the Certificates not in its individual capacity but solely as Securities Administrator of the Trust Fund created by this Agreement, in the exercise of the powers and authority conferred and vested in it by this Agreement. Each of the undertakings and agreements made on the part of the Securities Administrator on behalf of the Trust Fund in the Certificates is made and intended not as a personal undertaking or agreement by the Securities Administrator but is made and intended for the purpose of binding only the Trust Fund. Section 8.05 Trustee May Own Certificates. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Certificates with the same rights as it would have if it were not the Trustee. Section 8.06 Trustee's Fees and Expenses. As compensation for its activities under this Agreement, the Trustee shall be paid an on-going monthly or annual fee, as applicable, by the Securities Administrator pursuant to a separate agreement. The Trustee shall have no lien on the Trust Fund for the payment of such fees. The Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed, from funds on deposit in the Distribution Account, amounts sufficient to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee and any director, officer, employee, or agent of the Trustee against any loss, liability, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with any claim or legal action relating to (a) this Agreement, (b) the Certificates, or (c) the performance of any of the Trustee's duties under this Agreement, other than any loss, liability, or expense (i) resulting from any breach of any Servicer's obligations in connection with a its Servicing Agreement for which that Servicer has performed its obligation to indemnify the Trustee pursuant to Servicing Agreement, (ii) resulting from any breach of the Responsible Party's obligations in connection with any Sale Agreement for which it has performed its obligation to indemnify the Trustee pursuant to the Sale Agreement, (iii) resulting from any breach of the Master Servicer's obligations hereunder for which the Master Servicer has performed its obligation to indemnify the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement, or (iv) incurred because of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of any of the Trustee's duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Trustee under this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, except for any expense, disbursement, or advance arising from the 77 Trustee's negligence, bad faith, or willful misfeasance, the Trust Fund shall pay or reimburse the Trustee, for all reasonable expenses, disbursements, and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with this Agreement with respect to: (A) the reasonable compensation, expenses, and disbursements of its counsel not associated with the closing of the issuance of the Certificates, and (B) the reasonable compensation, expenses, and disbursements of any accountant, engineer, or appraiser that is not regularly employed by the Trustee, to the extent that the Trustee must engage them to perform services under this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Trustee shall not be entitled to payment or reimbursement for any routine ongoing expenses incurred by the Trustee in the ordinary course of its duties as Trustee under this Agreement or for any other expenses. Section 8.07 Eligibility Requirements for the Trustee. The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation, banking association or other association organized and doing business under the laws of a state or the United States of America, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and the appointment of which would not cause any of the Rating Agencies to reduce or withdraw their respective then current ratings of the Certificates (or having provided such security from time to time as is sufficient to avoid such reduction) as evidenced in writing by each Rating Agency. If such corporation or association publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 8.07 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or association shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with this Section 8.07, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 8.08. The entity serving as Trustee may have normal banking and trust relationships with the Depositor and its affiliates or with the Servicer and its affiliates; provided, however, that such entity cannot be an affiliate of the Depositor or of any Servicer other than the Trustee in its role as successor to the Master Servicer. Section 8.08 Resignation and Removal of the Trustee. The Trustee may at any time resign and be discharged from the trusts hereby created by giving written notice of resignation to the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and each Rating Agency not less than sixty (60) days before the date specified in such notice, when, subject to Section 8.09, such resignation is to take effect, and acceptance by a successor trustee in accordance with Section 8.09 meeting the qualifications set forth in Section 8.07. If no successor trustee meeting such qualifications shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice or resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee. If at any time (i) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with Section 8.07 and shall fail to resign after written request thereto by the Depositor, (ii) the Trustee shall 78 become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, (iii)(A) a tax is imposed with respect to the Trust Fund by any state in which the Trustee or the Trust Fund is located and (B) the imposition of such tax would be avoided by the appointment of a different trustee, or (iv) the Trustee fails to comply with its obligations under the last sentence of Section 9.04 in the preceding paragraph, Section 8.10 or Article XIII and such failure is not remedied within the lesser of ten (10) calendar days or such period in which the applicable Exchange Act Report can be timely filed (without taking into account any extensions), then, in the case of clauses (i) through (iii), the Depositor may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. The Holders of Certificates entitled to a majority of the Voting Rights may at any time remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument or instruments, in duplicate, signed by such Holders or their attorneys in fact duly authorized, one complete set of which shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one complete set to the successor so appointed. The successor trustee shall notify each Rating Agency of any removal of the Trustee. Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to this Section 8.08 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 8.09. Section 8.09 Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 8.08 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Depositor and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with the like effect as if originally named as trustee herein. The Depositor and the predecessor trustee 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 all such rights, powers, duties, and obligations. No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 8.09 unless at the time of its acceptance, the successor trustee is eligible under Section 8.07 and its appointment does not adversely affect the then current rating of the Certificates and has provided to the Depositor in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Depositor, all information reasonably requested by the Depositor in order to comply with its reporting obligation under Item 6.02 of Form 8-K with respect to a replacement Trustee. Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 8.09, the Depositor shall mail notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to all Holders of Certificates and the Custodians. If the Depositor fails to mail such notice within ten (10) days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Depositor. 79 Section 8.10 Merger or Consolidation of the Trustee or the Custodians. Any corporation into which the Trustee or the Custodians, as applicable, may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or the Custodians, as applicable, shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the business of the Trustee or the Custodians, as applicable, shall be the successor of the Trustee or the Custodians, as applicable, hereunder; provided, that such corporation shall be eligible under Section 8.07 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 8.11 Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, at any time, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust Fund or property securing any Mortgage Note may at the time be located, the Trustee shall have the power and shall execute and deliver all instruments to appoint one or more Persons to act as co-trustee or co-trustees jointly with the Trustee, or separate trustee or separate trustees, of all or any part of the Trust Fund, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of the Certificateholders, such title to the Trust Fund or any part thereof, whichever is applicable, and, subject to the other provisions of this Section 8.11, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider appropriate. No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 8.09 and no notice to Certificateholders of the appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required under Section 8.09. Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions: (a) To the extent necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Section 8.11, all rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee, except for the obligation of the Trustee (as successor Master Servicer) under this Agreement to advance funds on behalf of the Master Servicer, shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed (whether as Trustee hereunder or as successor to the 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 applicable Trust Fund or any portion thereof in any such jurisdiction) shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee; (b) No trustee hereunder shall be held personally liable because of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder and such appointment shall not, and shall not be deemed to, constitute any such separate trustee or co-trustee as agent of the Trustee; (c) The Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee; and 80 (d) The Trust Fund, and not the Trustee, shall be liable for the payment of reasonable compensation, reimbursement and indemnification to any such separate trustee or co-trustee. Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the separate trustees and co-trustees, when and as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Agreement and the conditions of this Article VIII. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Agreement, specifically including every provision of this Agreement relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee and a copy thereof given to the Master Servicer and the Depositor. Any separate trustee or co-trustee may, at any time, constitute the Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Agreement on its behalf and in its name. If any separate trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates, properties, rights, remedies and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor trustee. Section 8.12 Tax Matters. It is intended that the assets with respect to which any REMIC election pertaining to the Trust Fund is to be made, as set forth in the Preliminary Statement, shall constitute, and that the conduct of matters relating to such assets shall be such as to qualify such assets as, a "real estate mortgage investment conduit" as defined in, and in accordance with, the REMIC Provisions. In furtherance of such intention, the Securities Administrator covenants and agrees that it shall act as agent (and the Securities Administrator is hereby appointed to act as agent) on behalf of each REMIC described in the Preliminary Statement and that in such capacity it shall: (a) prepare and file, in a timely manner, a U.S. Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC) Income Tax Return (Form 1066 or any successor form adopted by the Internal Revenue Service) and prepare and file with the Internal Revenue Service and applicable state or local tax authorities income tax or information returns for each taxable year with respect to each Trust REMIC containing such information and at the times and in the manner as may be required by the Code or state or local tax laws, regulations, or rules, and furnish to Certificateholders the schedules, statements or information at such times and in such manner as may be required thereby; (b) within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date, apply for an employer identification number from the Internal Revenue Service via Form SS-4 or any other acceptable method for all tax entities and shall also furnish to the Internal Revenue Service, on Form 8811 or as otherwise may be required by the Code, the name, title, address, and telephone number of the person that the holders of the Certificates may contact for tax information relating thereto, together with such additional information as may be required by such Form, and update such information at the time or times in the manner required by the Code; 81 (c) make an election that each Trust REMIC be treated as a REMIC on the federal tax return for its first taxable year (and, if necessary, under applicable state law); (d) prepare and forward to the Certificateholders and to the Internal Revenue Service and, if necessary, state tax authorities, all information returns and reports as and when required to be provided to them in accordance with the REMIC Provisions, including the calculation of any original issue discount using the prepayment assumption (as described in the Prospectus Supplement); (e) provide information necessary for the computation of tax imposed on the transfer of a Residual Certificate to a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee (a "Non Permitted Transferee"), or an agent (including a broker, nominee or other middleman) of a Non Permitted Transferee, or a pass through entity in which a Non Permitted Transferee is the record holder of an interest (the reasonable cost of computing and furnishing such information may be charged to the Person liable for such tax); (f) to the extent that they are under its control, conduct matters relating to such assets at all times that any Certificates are outstanding so as to maintain the status of each Trust REMIC as a REMIC under the REMIC Provisions; (g) not knowingly or intentionally take any action or omit to take any action that would cause the termination of the REMIC status of any Trust REMIC created hereunder; (h) pay, from the sources specified in the last paragraph of this Section 8.12, the amount of any federal or state tax, including prohibited transaction taxes as described below, imposed on any Trust REMIC before its termination when and as the same shall be due and payable (but such obligation shall not prevent the Securities Administrator or any other appropriate Person from contesting any such tax in appropriate proceedings and shall not prevent the Securities Administrator from withholding payment of such tax, if permitted by law, pending the outcome of such proceedings); (i) cause federal, state or local income tax or information returns to be signed by the Securities Administrator or, if required by applicable tax law, the Trustee or such other person as may be required to sign such returns by the Code or state or local laws, regulations or rules; (j) maintain records relating to each of the Trust REMICs, including the income, expenses, assets, and liabilities thereof on a calendar year basis and on the accrual method of accounting and the fair market value and adjusted basis of the assets determined at such intervals as may be required by the Code, as may be necessary to prepare the foregoing returns, schedules, statements or information; and (k) as and when necessary and appropriate, represent each Trust REMIC 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 each Trust REMIC, enter into settlement agreements with any governmental taxing agency, extend any statute of limitations relating to any tax item of any Trust REMIC, and otherwise act on behalf of each Trust REMIC in relation to any tax matter or controversy involving it. 82 The Holder of the largest Percentage Interest of the Class R, Class RC and Class RX Certificates shall act as Tax Matters Person for the Lower-Tier REMIC and the Middle-Tier REMIC, the Upper-Tier REMIC and the Class X REMIC, respectively, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.860F-4(d), and the Securities Administrator is hereby designated as agent of such Certificateholder for such purpose (or if the Securities Administrator is not so permitted, such Holder shall be the Tax Matters Person in accordance with the REMIC Provisions). In such capacity, the Securities Administrator shall, as and when necessary and appropriate, represent each Trust REMIC 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 each Trust REMIC, enter into settlement agreements with any governmental taxing agency, extend any statute of limitations relating to any tax item of any Trust REMIC, and otherwise act on behalf of each Trust REMIC in relation to any tax matter or controversy involving it. The Securities Administrator shall treat the rights of the Class P Certificateholders to receive Prepayment Premiums, the rights of the Class X Certificateholders to receive amounts in the Excess Reserve Fund Account and Supplemental Interest Trust (subject to the obligation to pay Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts) and the rights of the LIBOR Certificateholders to receive Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts (as calculated in the Preliminary Statement) as the beneficial ownership interests in a grantor trust and not as an obligations of any REMIC created hereunder, for federal income tax purposes. The Securities Administrator shall file or cause to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Form 1041 or such other form as may be applicable and shall furnish or cause to be furnished, to the Class X Certificateholders, the Class P Certificateholders and the LIBOR Certificateholders, the respective amounts described above that are received, in the time or times and in the manner required by the Code. To enable the Securities Administrator to perform its duties under this Agreement, the Depositor shall provide to the Securities Administrator within ten (10) days after the Closing Date all information or data that the Securities Administrator requests in writing and determines to be relevant for tax purposes to the valuations and offering prices of the Certificates, including the price, yield, prepayment assumption, and projected cash flows of the Certificates and the Mortgage Loans. Moreover, the Depositor shall provide information to the Securities Administrator concerning the value, if any, to each Class of Certificates of the right to receive Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts from the Excess Reserve Fund Account and the Supplemental Interest Trust. Thereafter, the Depositor shall provide to the Securities Administrator promptly upon written request therefor any additional information or data that the Securities Administrator may, from time to time, reasonably request to enable the Securities Administrator to perform its duties under this Agreement. The Depositor hereby indemnifies the Securities Administrator for any losses, liabilities, damages, claims, or expenses of the Securities Administrator arising from any errors or miscalculations of the Securities Administrator that result from any failure of the Depositor to provide, or to cause to be provided, accurate information or data to the Securities Administrator on a timely basis. If any tax is imposed on "prohibited transactions" of any Trust REMIC as defined in Section 860F(a)(2) of the Code, on the "net income from foreclosure property" of the Lower-Tier REMIC as defined in Section 860G(c) of the Code, on any contribution to any Trust REMIC after the Startup Day pursuant to Section 860G(d) of the Code, or any other tax is 83 imposed, including any minimum tax imposed on any Trust REMIC pursuant to Sections 23153 and 24874 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, if not paid as otherwise provided for herein, the tax shall be paid by (i) the Master Servicer, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable if such tax arises out of or results from negligence of the Master Servicer, the Trustee or the Securities Administrator, as applicable in the performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) a Servicer, in the case of any such minimum tax, and otherwise if such tax arises out of or results from a breach by the Servicer of any of its obligations under the applicable Servicing Agreement, (iii) a Responsible Party if such tax arises out of or results from the Responsible Party's obligation to repurchase a Mortgage Loan pursuant to the applicable Sale Agreement or (iv) in all other cases, or if the Trustee, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Servicer or the Responsible Party fails to honor its obligations under the preceding clause (i), (ii), or (iii), any such tax will be paid with amounts otherwise to be distributed to the Certificateholders, as provided in Section 4.01(a). For as long as each Trust REMIC shall exist, the Securities Administrator shall act as specifically required herein, and the Securities Administrator shall comply with any directions of the Depositor or a Servicer stating that such directions are being given to assure such continuing treatment. In particular, the Securities Administrator shall not (a) sell or authorize 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 purchase or repurchase of the Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Agreement or (b) accept any contribution to any Trust REMIC after the Startup Day without receipt of an Opinion of Counsel that such action described in clause (a) or (b) will not result in the imposition of a tax on any Trust REMIC or cause any Trust REMIC to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificates are outstanding. Section 8.13 [Reserved] Section 8.14 Tax Classification of the Excess Reserve Fund Account. For federal income tax purposes, the Securities Administrator shall treat the Excess Reserve Fund Account as beneficially owned by the holder of the Class X Certificates and shall treat such portion of the Trust Fund as a grantor trust under subpart E, Part I of subchapter J of the Code. The Securities Administrator shall treat the rights that each Class of LIBOR Certificates has to receive payments of Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts (excluding any such Amounts attributable to any excess of the REMIC Cap over the WAC Cap) from the Excess Reserve Fund Account as rights to receive payments under an interest rate cap contract written by the Class X Certificateholders in favor of each Class. Accordingly, each Class of LIBOR Certificates will comprise two components--a regular interest in the Upper-Tier REMIC and an interest in an interest rate cap contract, and the Class X Certificates will be comprised of two components--a regular interest in the Class X REMIC and an interest in the Excess Reserve Fund Account subject to the obligation to pay Basis Risk Cary Forward Amounts. The Securities Administrator shall allocate the issue price for a Class of Certificates among these components for purposes of determining the issue price of the Upper-Tier Regular Interest component based on information received from the Depositor. Unless otherwise advised by the Depositor in writing, for federal income tax purposes, the Securities Administrator is hereby directed to assign a value of zero to the right of each Holder of a Principal Certificate to receive the related Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount for purposes of allocating the purchase price of an initial Principal Certificateholder between such right and the related Upper-Tier Regular Interest. 84 Section 8.15 Tax Classification of the Excess Reserve Fund Account and the Interest Rate Swap Agreement. For federal income tax purposes, the Securities Administrator shall treat the Excess Reserve Fund Account and the Interest Rate Swap Agreement as beneficially owned by the holder of the Class X Certificates and shall treat such portion of the Trust Fund as a grantor trust under subpart E, Part I of subchapter J of the Code. The Securities Administrator shall treat the rights that each Class of LIBOR Certificates has to receive payments of Basis Risk Carry Forward Amounts (excluding any such Amounts attributable to any excess of the REMIC Cap over the WAC Cap) from the Excess Reserve Fund Account and the Supplemental Interest Trust as rights to receive payments under an interest rate cap contract written by the Class X Certificateholders in favor of each Class. Accordingly, each Class of LIBOR Certificates will comprise two components--a regular interest in the Upper-Tier REMIC and an interest in an interest rate cap contract, and the Class X Certificates will be comprised of four components--a regular interest in the Class X REMIC, an interest in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement, the Supplemental Interest Trust and the Excess Reserve Fund Account subject to the obligation to pay Basis Risk Cary Forward Amounts, Net Swap Payment Amounts and Swap Termination Payments. The Securities Administrator shall allocate the issue price for a Class of Certificates among these components for purposes of determining the issue price of the Upper-Tier Regular Interest component based on information received from the Depositor. Unless otherwise advised by the Depositor in writing, for federal income tax purposes, the Securities Administrator is hereby directed to assign a value of zero to the right of each Holder of a LIBOR Certificate to receive the related Basis Risk Carry Forward Amount (excluding any such Amounts attributable to any excess of the REMIC Cap over the WAC Cap) for purposes of allocating the purchase price of an initial LIBOR Certificateholder between such right and the related Upper-Tier Regular Interest. Holders of LIBOR Certificates shall also be treated as having agreed to pay, on each Distribution Date, to the Holders of the Class X Certificates an aggregate amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) Net Swap Payment Amounts and Swap Termination Payments (other that Defaulted Swap Termination Payments) over (ii) the sum of amounts payable on the Class X Interest as provided in the Preliminary Statement hereof (such excess, a "Class IO Shortfall"), first from interest and then from principal distributable on the LIBOR Certificates. A Class IO Shortfall payable from interest collections shall be allocated pro rata among such LIBOR Certificates based on the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Class of LIBOR Certificates, and a Class IO Shortfall payable from principal collections shall be allocated in reverse sequential order beginning with the most subordinate Class of LIBOR Certificates then outstanding. Any payments of Class IO Shortfalls shall be treated for tax purposes as having been received by the Holders of such Class of LIBOR Certificates in respect of the corresponding Upper-Tier Regular Interest and as having been paid by such Holders to the Holders of the Class X Certificates through the Supplemental Interest Trust. Section 8.16 Custodial Responsibilities. Each of the Custodians shall provide access to the Mortgage Loan documents in possession of such Custodian regarding the related Mortgage Loans and REO Property and the servicing thereof to the Trustee, the Certificateholders, the FDIC, and the supervisory agents and examiners of the FDIC, such access being afforded only upon two (2) Business Days prior written request and during normal 85 business hours at the office of such Custodian; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law or any regulatory or administrative agency (including the FDIC), such 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. Each of the Custodians shall allow representatives of the above entities to photocopy any of the records and documentation and shall provide equipment for that purpose at the expense of the Trust that covers such Custodians actual costs. Upon receipt of a request for release by a Servicer substantially in the form of Exhibit L, Exhibit L-1, Exhibit L-2 or Exhibit L-3 hereto, the applicable Custodian shall release within five (5) Business Days the related Mortgage File to such Servicer and the Trustee shall execute and deliver to such Servicer, without recourse, a request for reconveyance, deed of reconveyance or release or satisfaction of mortgage or such instrument releasing the lien of the Mortgage (furnished by such Servicer), together with the Mortgage Note. Each of the Custodians may resign at any time or may be terminated by the Trustee with cause, in each case, upon sixty (60) days written notice to the applicable Servicer, the Depositor and the Securities Administrator, in which event the Depositor will be obligated to appoint a successor. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted appointment within sixty (60) days after the resignation or termination of such Custodian, such Custodian may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a successor. The Securities Administrator, pursuant to a separate agreement, shall compensate from its own funds the Custodians for their respective activities under this Agreement. The Custodians shall have no lien on the Trust Fund for the payment of such fees. The Custodians shall be entitled to be reimbursed, from funds on deposit in the Distribution Account, amounts sufficient to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Custodians and any director, officer, employee, or agent of a Custodian against any loss, liability, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with any claim or legal action relating to: (a) this Agreement; (b) the Certificates; or (c) the performance of any of such Custodian's duties under this Agreement, other than any loss, liability, or expense (i) resulting from any breach of a Servicer's obligations in connection with a Servicing Agreement for which the Servicer has performed its obligation to indemnify such Custodian pursuant to such Servicing Agreement, (ii) resulting from any breach of the Responsible Party's obligations in connection with a Sale Agreement for which the Responsible Party has performed its obligation to indemnify such Custodian pursuant to such Sale Agreement, or (iii) incurred because of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of any of such Custodian's duties under this Agreement. This indemnity shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the earlier resignation or removal of the Custodians. ARTICLE IX 86 ADMINISTRATION OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS BY THE MASTER SERVICER Section 9.01 Duties of the Master Servicer; Enforcement of Servicer's Obligations. (a) The Master Servicer, on behalf of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Depositor and the Certificateholders, shall monitor the performance of the Servicers under the related Servicing Agreements, and (except as set forth below) shall use its reasonable good faith efforts to cause the Servicers to duly and punctually perform their duties and obligations thereunder as applicable. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Master Servicer has actual knowledge, the Master Servicer shall promptly notify the Securities Administrator and the Trustee and shall specify in such notice the action, if any, the Master Servicer plans to take in respect of such default. So long as an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Master Servicer shall take the actions specified in Article VII. If (i) a Servicer reports a delinquency on a monthly report and (ii) such Servicer, by 11 a.m. (New York Time) on the Business Day preceding the related Remittance Date, neither makes a Monthly Advance nor provides the Securities Administrator and the Master Servicer with a report certifying that such a Monthly Advance would be a Nonrecoverable Monthly Advance, then the Master Servicer shall deposit in the Distribution Account not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the related Distribution Date a Monthly Advance in an amount equal to the difference between (x) with respect to each Monthly Payment due on a Mortgage Loan that is delinquent (other than Relief Act Interest Shortfalls) and for which the related Servicer was required to make a Monthly Advance pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement and (y) amounts deposited in the Collection Account to be used for Monthly Advances with respect to such Mortgage Loan, except to the extent the Master Servicer determines any such Monthly Advance to be a Nonrecoverable Monthly Advance or Nonrecoverable Servicing Advance. Subject to the foregoing, the Master Servicer shall continue to make such Monthly Advances for so long as the related Servicer is required to do so under the related Servicing Agreement. If applicable, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Distribution Date, the Master Servicer shall deliver an Officer's Certificate to the Trustee stating that the Master Servicer elects not to make a Monthly Advance in a stated amount and detailing the reason(s) it deems the Monthly Advance to be a Nonrecoverable Monthly Advance. Any amounts deposited by the Master Servicer pursuant to this Section 9.01 shall be net of the Servicing Fee for the related Mortgage Loans. (a) The Master Servicer shall pay the costs of monitoring the Servicers as required hereunder (including costs associated with (i) termination of any Servicer, (ii) the appointment of a successor servicer or (iii) the transfer to and assumption of, the servicing by the Master Servicer) and shall, to the extent permitted by the related Servicing Agreement, seek reimbursement therefor initially from the terminated Servicer. In the event the full costs associated with the transition of servicing responsibilities to the Master Servicer or to a successor servicer are not paid for by the predecessor or successor Servicer (provided such successor Servicer is not the Master Servicer), the Master Servicer may be reimbursed therefor by the Trust for out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Master Servicer associated with any such transfer of servicing duties from a Servicer to the Master Servicer or any other successor servicer. 87 (b) If the Master Servicer assumes the servicing with respect to any of the Mortgage Loans, it will not assume liability for the representations and warranties of any Servicer it replaces or for any errors or omissions of such Servicer. If the Depositor or an affiliate of the Depositor, is the owner of the servicing rights for a servicer and the Depositor chooses to terminate such servicer with or without cause and sell those servicing rights to a successor servicer, then the Depositor must provide thirty (30) days' notice to the Master Servicer, such successor servicer must be reasonably acceptable to the Master Servicer, the terminated servicer must be reimbursed for any unreimbursed Monthly Advances, servicing fees and any related expenses, the successor servicer must be qualified to service mortgage loans for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and the Depositor must obtain prior written consent from the Rating Agencies that the transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loans will not result in a downgrade, qualification or withdrawal of the then current ratings of the Certificates. The costs of such transfer (including any costs of the Master Servicer) are to be borne by the Depositor. Neither the Depositor nor the Securities Administrator shall consent to the assignment by any Servicer of such Servicer's rights and obligations under the Agreement without the prior written consent of the Master Servicer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Section 9.02 Maintenance of Fidelity Bond and Errors and Omissions Insurance. (a) 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, directors, 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 9.03 Representations and Warranties of the Master Servicer. (a) The Master Servicer hereby represents and warrants to the Depositor, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, as of the Closing Date that: (i) it is a national banking association validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America, and as Master Servicer has full power and authority to transact any and all business contemplated by this Agreement and to execute, deliver and comply with its obligations under the terms of this Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance of which have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Master Servicer; (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Master Servicer and its performance and compliance with the terms of this Agreement will not (A) violate the Master Servicer's charter or bylaws, (B) violate any law or regulation or any administrative decree or order to which it is subject or (C) constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or 88 result in the breach of, any material contract, agreement or other instrument to which the Master Servicer is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets are subject, which violation, default or breach would materially and adversely affect the Master Servicer's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iii) this Agreement constitutes, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other respective parties hereto, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Master Servicer, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights in general, and by general equity principles (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (iv) the Master Servicer is not in default with respect to any order or decree of any court or any order or regulation of any federal, state, municipal or governmental agency to the extent that any such default would materially and adversely affect its performance hereunder; (v) the Master Servicer is not a party to or bound by any agreement or instrument or subject to any charter provision, bylaw or any other corporate restriction or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, law or regulation that may materially and adversely affect its ability as Master Servicer to perform its obligations under this Agreement or that requires the consent of any third person to the execution of this Agreement or the performance by the Master Servicer of its obligations under this Agreement; (vi) no litigation is pending or, to the best of the Master Servicer's knowledge, threatened against the Master Servicer which would prohibit its entering into this Agreement or performing its obligations under this Agreement; (vii) [Reserved]; (viii) no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Master Servicer of or compliance by the Master Servicer with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations and orders (if any) as have been obtained; and (ix) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in the ordinary course of business of the Master Servicer. (b) Section 11.01(a) of this Agreement and Section 7 of the applicable Step 2 Assignment Agreements provide that Avelo, at its option, may purchase (or, if Avelo is no longer acting as a Servicer of any of the Mortgage Loans, the Depositor, at its option, may request the Master Servicer to solicit bids in a commercially reasonable manner, on or after the Optional Termination Date (such event, the "Auction Call"), for the purchase) of all of the Mortgage Loans (and REO Properties) at the Termination Price. The Master Servicer shall accommodate such request to conduct an Auction Call at its sole discretion. Avelo, in 89 consideration of the benefits to it of the transactions occurring under this Agreement, the Assignment Agreements and the related Servicing Agreement, hereby represents, covenants and agrees with the Depositor and any applicable NIM Issuer that it will not exercise its right to purchase, on or after the Optional Termination Date, all Mortgage Loans (and REO Properties) unless it has received (x) written notification from the NIM Trustee that all of the outstanding notes issued under the applicable indenture have been paid in full or (y) an Officer's Certificate of the NIM Issuer pursuant to the applicable section of the relevant indenture to the effect that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied with. The Depositor hereby represents, covenants and agrees with any applicable NIM Issuer that it will not exercise its right to request the Master Servicer to solicit bids in a commercially reasonable manner, on or after the Optional Termination Date, for the purchase of all of the Mortgage Loans (and REO Properties) unless it has received (x) written notification from the NIM Trustee that all of the outstanding notes issued under the applicable indenture have been paid in full or (y) an Officer's Certificate of the NIM Issuer pursuant to the applicable section of the relevant indenture to the effect that all conditions precedent to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied with. (c) It is understood and agreed that the representations and warranties set forth in this Section shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Master Servicer shall indemnify the Depositor, Securities Administrator, and the Trustee and hold them harmless against any loss, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, reasonable legal fees and related costs, judgments, and other reasonable costs and expenses resulting from any claim, demand, defense or assertion based on or grounded upon, or resulting from, a material breach of the Master Servicer's representations and warranties contained in Section 9.03(a) above. It is understood and agreed that the enforcement of the obligation of the Master Servicer set forth in this Section 9.03 to indemnify the Depositor, Securities Administrator, and the Trustee constitutes the sole remedy of the Depositor and the Trustee, respecting a breach of the foregoing representations and warranties. Such indemnification shall survive any termination of the Master Servicer as Master Servicer hereunder and any termination of this Agreement. Any cause of action against the Master Servicer relating to or arising out of the breach of any representations and warranties made in this Section shall accrue upon discovery of such breach by either the Depositor, the Master Servicer, Securities Administrator or the Trustee or notice thereof by any one of such parties to the other parties. Section 9.04 Master Servicer Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute a "Master Servicer Event of Default": (a) any failure by the Master Servicer to deposit in the Distribution Account any payment received by it from any Servicer or required to be made by the Master Servicer under the terms of this Agreement which continues unremedied for a period of two (2) 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 by any other party hereto; (b) failure by the Master Servicer to duly observe or perform, in any material respect, any other covenants, obligations or agreements of the Master Servicer as set forth in this Agreement (including any obligation to cause any subservicer or Reporting Subcontractor 90 (except as specified below) to take any action specified in Article XIII) which failure continues unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the date on which written notice of such failure, 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 at least 25% of the Voting Rights; provided that the thirty (30) day cure period shall not apply so long as the Depositor is required to file Exchange Act Reports with respect to the Trust Fund, the failure to comply with the requirements set forth in Article XIII, for which the grace period shall not exceed the lesser of ten (10) calendar days or such period in which the applicable Exchange Act Report can be timely filed (without taking into account any extensions); (c) a decree or order of a court or agency or supervisory authority having jurisdiction for the appointment of a conservator or receiver or liquidator in any insolvency, bankruptcy, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, shall have been entered against the Master Servicer and such decree or order shall have remained in force, undischarged or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; (d) the Master Servicer shall consent to the appointment of a conservator or receiver or liquidator in any insolvency, bankruptcy, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings of or relating to the Master Servicer or relating to all or substantially all of its property; (e) the Master Servicer shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, file a petition to take advantage of any applicable insolvency or reorganization statute, make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or voluntarily suspend payment of its obligations for three (3) Business Days; (f) except as otherwise set forth herein, the Master Servicer attempts to assign this Agreement or its responsibilities hereunder or to delegate its duties hereunder (or any portion thereof) without the consent of the Securities Administrator and the Depositor; or (g) the indictment of the Master Servicer for the taking of any action by the Master Servicer, any employee thereof, any Affiliate or any director or employee thereof that constitutes fraud or criminal activity in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, in each case, where such indictment materially and adversely affects the ability of the Master Servicer to perform its obligations under this Agreement (subject to the condition that such indictment is not dismissed within ninety (90) days). In each and every such case, so long as a Master Servicer Event of Default shall not have been remedied, in addition to whatever rights the Trustee may have at law or equity to damages, including injunctive relief and specific performance, the Trustee, by notice in writing to the Master Servicer, may, and (a) upon the request of the Holders of Certificates representing at least 51% of the Voting Rights (except with respect to any Master Servicer Event of Default related to a failure to comply with an Exchange Act Filing Obligation) or (b) the Depositor, in the case of a failure related to an Exchange Act Filing Obligation, shall, terminate with cause all the rights and obligations of the Master Servicer under this Agreement. 91 The Depositor shall not be entitled to terminate the rights and obligations of the Master Servicer, pursuant to the above paragraph, if a failure of the Master Servicer to identify a Subcontractor "participating in the servicing function" within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB was attributable solely to the role or functions of such Subcontractor with respect to mortgage loans other than the Mortgage Loans. Upon receipt by the Master Servicer of such written notice, all authority and power of the Master Servicer under this Agreement, shall pass to and be vested in any successor master servicer appointed hereunder which accepts such appointments. Upon written request from the Trustee or the Depositor, the Master Servicer shall prepare, execute and deliver to the successor entity designated by the Trustee any and all documents and other instruments related to the performance of its duties hereunder as the Master Servicer and, place in such successor's possession all such documents with respect to the master servicing of the Mortgage Loans and do or cause to be done all other acts or things necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of such notice of termination, at the Master Servicer's sole expense. The Master Servicer shall cooperate with the Trustee and such successor master servicer in effecting the termination of the Master Servicer's responsibilities and rights hereunder, including without limitation, the transfer to such successor master servicer for administration by it of all cash amounts which shall at the time be credited to the Distribution Account or are thereafter received with respect to the Mortgage Loans. Upon the occurrence of a Master Servicer Event of Default, the Securities Administrator shall provide the Depositor in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Depositor, all information reasonably requested by the Depositor in order to comply with its reporting obligation under Item 6.02 of Form 8-K with respect to a successor master servicer in the event the Trustee should succeed to the duties of the Master Servicer as set forth herein. Section 9.05 Waiver of Default. By a written notice, the Trustee may with the consent of a Holders of Certificates evidencing at least 51% of the Voting Rights waive any default by the Master Servicer in the performance of its obligations hereunder and its consequences. Upon any waiver of a past default, such default shall cease to exist, and any Master Servicer Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been 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. Section 9.06 Successor to the Master Servicer. Upon termination of the Master Servicer's responsibilities and duties under this Agreement, the Trustee shall appoint or may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor, which shall succeed to all rights and assume all of the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the Master Servicer under this Agreement prior to the termination of the Master Servicer. Any successor shall be a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac approved servicer in good standing and acceptable to the Depositor and the Rating Agencies. In connection with such appointment and assumption, the Trustee may make such arrangements for the compensation of such successor out of payments on Mortgage Loans as it and such successor shall agree; provided, however, that in no event shall the master servicer fee paid to such successor master servicer exceed that paid to the Master Servicer hereunder. In the event that the Master Servicer's duties, responsibilities and liabilities 92 under this Agreement are terminated, the Master Servicer shall continue to discharge its duties and responsibilities hereunder until the effective date of such termination with the same degree of diligence and prudence which it is obligated to exercise under this Agreement and shall take no action whatsoever that might impair or prejudice the rights of its successor. The termination of the Master Servicer shall not become effective until a successor shall be appointed pursuant hereto and shall in no event (i) relieve the Master Servicer of responsibility for the representations and warranties made pursuant to Section 9.03(a) hereof and the remedies available to the Trustee under Section 9.03(b) hereof, it being understood and agreed that the provisions of Section 9.03 hereof shall be applicable to the Master Servicer notwithstanding any such sale, assignment, resignation or termination of the Master Servicer or the termination of this Agreement; or (ii) affect the right of the Master Servicer to receive payment and/or reimbursement of any amounts accruing to it hereunder prior to the date of termination (or during any transition period in which the Master Servicer continues to perform its duties hereunder prior to the date the successor master servicer fully assumes its duties). If no successor Master Servicer has accepted its appointment within ninety (90) days of the time the Trustee receives the resignation of the Master Servicer, the Trustee shall be the successor Master Servicer in all respects under this Agreement and shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the responsibilities, duties and liabilities relating thereto, including the obligation to make Monthly Advances; provided, however, that any failure to perform any duties or responsibilities caused by the Master Servicer's failure to provide information required by this Agreement shall not be considered a default by the Trustee hereunder. In the Trustee's capacity as such successor, the Trustee shall have the same limitations on liability herein granted to the Master Servicer. As compensation therefor, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive the compensation, reimbursement and indemnities otherwise payable to the Master Servicer, including the fees and other amounts payable pursuant to Section 9.07 hereof. At least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the effective date of such appointment, the Trustee shall provide written notice to the Depositor of such successor pursuant to this Section 9.06. Any successor master servicer appointed as provided herein, shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Master Servicer and to the Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, wherein the successor shall make the representations and warranties set forth in Section 9.03 hereof, and whereupon such successor shall become fully vested with all of the rights, powers, duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities of the Master Servicer, with like effect as if originally named as a party to this Agreement. Any termination or resignation of the Master Servicer or termination of this Agreement shall not affect any claims that the Trustee may have against the Master Servicer arising out of the Master Servicer's actions or failure to act prior to any such termination or resignation or in connection with the Trustee's assumption as successor master servicer of such obligations, duties and responsibilities. Upon a successor's acceptance of appointment as such, the Master Servicer shall notify by mail the Trustee of such appointment. 93 Section 9.07 Compensation of the Master Servicer. As compensation for its activities under this Agreement, the Master Servicer shall be paid the Master Servicing Fee and be entitled to the investment income earned on amounts in the Distribution Account during the Master Servicer Float Period. Section 9.08 Merger or Consolidation. Any Person into which the Master Servicer may be merged or consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion, other change in form 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 to the Master Servicer hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding; provided, however, that the successor or resulting Person to the Master Servicer shall (i) be a Person (or have an Affiliate) that is qualified and approved to service mortgage loans for Fannie Mae and FHLMC (provided, further that a successor Master Servicer that satisfies subclause (i) through an Affiliate agrees to service the Mortgage Loans in accordance with all applicable Fannie Mae and FHLMC guidelines) and (ii) have a net worth of not less than $25,000,000. Section 9.09 Resignation of the Master Servicer. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 9.08 and 9.10 hereof, the Master Servicer shall not resign from the obligations and duties hereby imposed on it unless the Master Servicer's duties hereunder are no longer permissible under applicable law or are in material conflict by reason of applicable law with any other activities carried on by it and cannot be cured. Any such determination permitting the resignation of the Master Servicer shall be evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel that shall be independent to such effect delivered to the Trustee. No such resignation shall become effective until the Trustee shall have assumed, or a successor master servicer satisfactory to the Trustee and the Depositor shall have assumed, the Master Servicer's responsibilities and obligations under this Agreement. Notice of such resignation shall be given promptly by the Master Servicer and the Depositor to the Trustee. At least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the effective date of such resignation, the Master Servicer shall provide written notice to the Depositor of any successor pursuant to this Section. If at any time, Wells Fargo, as Master Servicer, resigns under this Section 9.09, or is removed as Master Servicer pursuant to Section 9.04, then at such time Wells Fargo shall also resign (and shall be entitled to resign) as Securities Administrator under this Agreement. Section 9.10 Assignment or Delegation of Duties by the Master Servicer. Except as expressly provided herein, the Master Servicer shall not assign or transfer any of its rights, benefits or privileges hereunder to any other Person, or delegate to or subcontract with, or authorize or appoint any other Person to perform any of the duties, covenants or obligations to be performed by the Master Servicer; provided, however, that the Master Servicer shall have the right with the prior written consent of the Depositor (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and upon delivery to the Trustee and the Depositor of a letter from each Rating Agency to the effect that such action shall not result in a downgrade of the ratings assigned to any of the Certificates, to delegate or assign to or subcontract with or authorize or appoint any qualified Person to perform and carry out any duties, covenants or obligations to be performed 94 and carried out by the Master Servicer hereunder. Notice of such permitted assignment shall be given promptly by the Master Servicer to the Depositor and the Trustee. If, pursuant to any provision hereof, the duties of the Master Servicer are transferred to a successor master servicer, the entire compensation payable to the Master Servicer pursuant hereto shall thereafter be payable to such successor master servicer but in no event shall the fee payable to the successor master servicer exceed that payable to the predecessor master servicer. Section 9.11 Limitation on Liability of the Master Servicer. Neither the Master Servicer nor any of the directors, officers, employees or agents of the Master Servicer shall be under any liability to the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, the Servicers or the Certificateholders for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to this Agreement, or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that this provision shall not protect the Master Servicer or any such person against any liability that would otherwise be imposed by reason of willful malfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard for its obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Master Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Master Servicer may rely in good faith on any document prima facie properly executed and submitted by any Person respecting any matters arising hereunder. The Master Servicer shall be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental to its duties as Master Servicer with respect to the Mortgage Loans under this Agreement and that in its opinion may involve it in any expenses or liability; provided, however, that the Master Servicer may in its sole discretion undertake any such action that it may deem necessary or desirable in 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 liabilities of the Trust, and the Master Servicer shall be entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the Master Servicer Account in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.07 and Section 9.12. The Master Servicer shall not be liable for any acts or omissions of any Servicer except to the extent that damages or expenses are incurred as a result of such act or omissions and such damages and expenses would not have been incurred but for the negligence, willful malfeasance, bad faith or recklessness of the Master Servicer in supervising, monitoring and overseeing the obligations of the Servicers as required under this Agreement. Section 9.12 Indemnification; Third Party Claims. The Master Servicer agrees to indemnify the Depositor, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee, and hold them harmless against any and all claims, losses, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, liability, fees and expenses that the Depositor, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee may sustain as a result of the Master Servicer's willful malfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties hereunder or by reason of its reckless disregard for its obligations and duties under this Agreement. The Depositor, the Securities Administrator, the Servicer, and the Trustee shall immediately notify the Master Servicer if a claim is made by a third party with respect to this Agreement or the Mortgage Loans which would entitle the Depositor, the Servicer or the Trustee to indemnification under this Section 9.12, whereupon the Master Servicer shall assume the defense of any such claim and pay all expenses in connection therewith, including counsel fees, and promptly pay, discharge and satisfy any judgment or decree which may be entered against it or them in respect of such claim. 95 The Master Servicer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee from and against any and all claims, losses, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, liability, fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that the Trustee may sustain as a result of such liability or obligations of the Master Servicer and in connection with the Trustee's assumption (not including the Trustee's performance, except to the extent that costs or liability of the Trustee are created or increased as a result of negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of the Master Servicer prior to its replacement as Master Servicer) of the Master Servicer's obligations, duties or responsibilities under such agreement. The Trust will indemnify the Master Servicer and hold it harmless against any and all claims, losses, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, liabilities, fees and expenses that the Master Servicer may incur or sustain in connection with, arising out of or related to this Agreement, the Servicing Agreements, the Sale Agreements, the Step 2 Assignment Agreements or the Certificates, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense is related to (i) a material breach of the Master Servicer's representations and warranties in this Agreement or (ii) the Master Servicer's willful malfeasance, bad faith or negligence or by reason of its reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under any such agreement; provided that any such loss, liability or expense constitutes an "unanticipated expense incurred by the REMIC" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.860G-1(b)(3)(ii). The Master Servicer shall be entitled to reimbursement for any such indemnified amount from funds on deposit in the Distribution Account. ARTICLE X CONCERNING THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR Section 10.01 Duties of the Securities Administrator. The Securities Administrator shall undertake to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement. The Securities Administrator, upon receipt of all resolutions, certificates, statements, opinions, reports, documents, orders or other instruments furnished to the Securities Administrator that are specifically required to be furnished pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall examine them to determine whether they are in the form required by this Agreement; provided, however, that the Securities Administrator shall not be responsible for the accuracy or content of any such resolution, certificate, statement, opinion, report, document, order or other instrument. If any such instrument is found not to conform in any material respect to the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Administrator shall notify the Certificateholders of such non conforming instrument in the event the Securities Administrator, after so requesting, does not receive a satisfactorily corrected instrument. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve 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) the duties and obligations of the Securities Administrator shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Agreement, the Securities 96 Administrator shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Securities Administrator and the Securities Administrator 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 Securities Administrator and conforming to the requirements of this Agreement which it believed in good faith to be genuine and to have been duly executed by the proper authorities respecting any matters arising hereunder; (ii) the Securities Administrator shall not be liable for an error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Securities Administrator, unless it shall be conclusively determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination no longer subject to appeal, that the Securities Administrator was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) the Securities Administrator shall not be liable with respect to any action or inaction taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of Holders of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting Rights of Certificates relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Securities Administrator, or exercising or omitting to exercise any trust or power conferred upon the Securities Administrator under this Agreement; and (iv) the Securities Administrator shall not be accountable, shall have no liability and makes no representation as to any acts or omissions hereunder of the Master Servicer or the Trustee. Section 10.02 Certain Matters Affecting the Securities Administrator. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.01: (i) the Securities Administrator may request and conclusively rely upon and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officer's Certificate, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties and the Securities Administrator shall have no responsibility to ascertain or confirm the genuineness of any signature of any such party or parties; (ii) the Securities Administrator may consult with counsel, financial advisers or accountants and the advice of any such counsel, financial advisers or accountants and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel; (iii) the Securities Administrator shall not be liable for any action or inaction 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; 97 (iv) the Securities Administrator shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond or other paper or document, unless requested in writing so to do by Holders of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting Rights allocated to each Class of Certificates; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Securities Administrator of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Securities Administrator, not reasonably assured to the Securities Administrator by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Agreement, the Securities Administrator may require reasonable indemnity against such expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding. Nothing in this clause (iv) shall derogate from the obligation of the Master Servicer to observe any applicable law prohibiting disclosure of information regarding the Mortgagors, provided that the Master Servicer shall have no liability for disclosure required by this Agreement; (v) the Securities Administrator may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys or a custodian and the Securities Administrator shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent, attorney or custodian appointed by the Securities Administrator with due care; (vi) the Securities Administrator shall not be required to risk or expend its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers hereunder if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to it, and none of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall in any event require the Securities Administrator to perform, or be responsible for the manner of performance of, any of the obligations of the Master Servicer under this Agreement; (vii) the Securities Administrator shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts, rights or powers vested in it by 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 Securities Administrator reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to the Securities Administrator against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby; (viii) the Securities Administrator shall have no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action that is not incidental to its duties hereunder and which in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability; provided, however, that the Securities Administrator may in its discretion undertake any such action that it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of this Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereto and the interests of the Trustee, the Securities Administrator and the Certificateholders hereunder. In such event, the legal expenses and costs of such action and any liability resulting therefrom shall be expenses, costs and liabilities of the Trust 98 Fund, and the Securities Administrator shall be entitled to be reimbursed therefor out of the Collection Account; and (ix) in no event shall the Securities Administrator be liable for special, indirect or consequential damages. The Securities Administrator shall have no duty (A) to cause any recording, filing, or depositing of this Agreement or any agreement referred to herein or any financing statement or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any rerecording, refiling or redepositing thereof, (B) to cause the provision of any insurance or (C) to cause the payment or discharge of any tax, assessment, or other governmental charge or any lien or encumbrance of any kind owing with respect to, assessed or levied against, any part of the Trust Fund other than from funds available in the Distribution Account. Section 10.03 Securities Administrator Not Liable for Certificates or Mortgage Loans. The recitals contained herein and in the Certificates shall be taken as the statements of the Depositor or the Transferor, as the case may be, and the Securities Administrator assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Securities Administrator makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement or of the Certificates or of any Mortgage Loan or related document other than with respect to the Securities Administrator's execution and authentication of the Certificates. The Securities Administrator shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Depositor or the Master Servicer of any funds paid to the Depositor or the Master Servicer in respect of the Mortgage Loans or deposited in or withdrawn from the Collection Account by the Depositor or the Master Servicer. Section 10.04 Securities Administrator May Own Certificates. The Securities Administrator in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Certificates and may transact business with the parties hereto and their Affiliates with the same rights as it would have if it were not the Securities Administrator. Section 10.05 Securities Administrator's Fees and Expenses. The Securities Administrator shall be entitled to the investment income earned on amounts in the Distribution Account during the Master Servicer Float Period. The Securities Administrator and any director, officer, employee, agent or "control person" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended ("Control Person"), of the Securities Administrator shall be indemnified by the Trust and held harmless against any loss, liability or expense (including reasonable attorney's fees) (i) incurred in connection with any claim or legal action relating to (a) this Agreement, (b) the Mortgage Loans or (c) the Certificates, other than any loss, liability or expense incurred by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of any of the Securities Administrator's duties hereunder, (ii) incurred in connection with the performance of any of the Securities Administrator's duties hereunder, other than any loss, liability or expense incurred by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of any of the Securities Administrator's duties hereunder or (iii) incurred by reason of any action of the Securities Administrator taken at the direction of the Certificateholders, provided that any such loss, liability or expense constitutes an "unanticipated expense incurred by the REMIC" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.860G- 99 1(b)(3)(ii). Such indemnity shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Securities Administrator hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, and except for any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from the Securities Administrator's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, or which would not be an "unanticipated expense" within the meaning of the second preceding sentence, the Securities Administrator shall be reimbursed by the Trust for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Securities Administrator in accordance with any of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to: (A) the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel not associated with the closing of the issuance of the Certificates, (B) the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of any accountant, engineer, appraiser or other agent that is not regularly employed by the Securities Administrator, to the extent that the Securities Administrator must engage such Persons to perform acts or services hereunder and (C) printing and engraving expenses in connection with preparing any Definitive Certificates. The Trust shall fulfill its obligations under this paragraph from amounts on deposit from time to time in the Distribution Account. The Securities Administrator may retain or withdraw from the Distribution Account, (i) the Master Servicing Fee and the investment income earned on amounts in the Distribution Account during the Master Servicer Float Period, (ii) amounts necessary to reimburse it or the Master Servicer for any previously unreimbursed Advances and any Advances the Master Servicer deems to be non-recoverable from the related Mortgage Loan proceeds, (iii) an aggregate annual amount to indemnify the Master Servicer and itself for amounts due in accordance with this Agreement, and (iv) any other amounts which it or the Master Servicer is entitled to receive hereunder for reimbursement, indemnification or otherwise, including the amount to which the Securities Administrator is entitled pursuant to Section 3.02 hereof. The Securities Administrator shall be required to pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities hereunder and shall not be entitled to reimbursement therefor except as provided in this Agreement. Section 10.06 Eligibility Requirements for the Securities Administrator. The Securities Administrator hereunder shall at all times be a corporation or association organized and doing business under the laws the United States of America or any state thereof, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and with a credit rating of at least investment grade. If such corporation or association publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 10.06 the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or association shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time the Securities Administrator shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.06, the Securities Administrator shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 10.07 hereof. The entity serving as Securities Administrator may have normal banking and trust relationships with the Depositor and its affiliates or the Trustee and its affiliates. Any successor Securities Administrator (i) may not be an originator, the Master Servicer, the Servicer, the Depositor or an affiliate of the Depositor unless the Securities 100 Administrator functions are operated through an institutional trust department of the Securities Administrator, (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/F1" by Fitch, if Fitch is a Rating Agency and if rated by Fitch, or the equivalent rating by S&P or Moody's. If no successor Securities Administrator shall have been appointed and shall have accepted appointment within sixty (60) days after the Securities Administrator ceases to be the Securities Administrator pursuant to Section 10.07, then the Trustee may (but shall not be obligated to) become the successor Securities Administrator. The Depositor shall appoint a successor to the Securities Administrator in accordance with Section 10.07. The Trustee shall notify the Rating Agencies of any change of Securities Administrator. Section 10.07 Resignation and Removal of the Securities Administrator. The Securities Administrator may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Depositor and the Trustee and each Rating Agency not less than sixty (60) days before the date specified in such notice when, subject to Section 10.08, such resignation is to take effect, and acceptance by a successor Securities Administrator in accordance with Section 10.08 meeting the qualifications set forth in Section 10.06. If no successor Securities Administrator meeting such qualifications shall have been so appointed by the Depositor and have accepted appointment within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Securities Administrator may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Securities Administrator. At least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the effective date of such resignation, the Securities Administrator shall provide written notice to the Depositor or any successor pursuant to this Section 10.07. If at any time (i) the Securities Administrator shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06 hereof and shall fail to resign after written request thereto by the Depositor, (ii) the Securities Administrator shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Securities Administrator or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Securities Administrator or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, (iii)(A) a tax is imposed with respect to the Trust Fund by any state in which the Securities Administrator or the Trust Fund is located and (B) the imposition of such tax would be avoided by the appointment of a different Securities Administrator, or (iv) the Securities Administrator fails to comply with its obligations under Article XIII and such failure is not remedied within the lesser of ten (10) calendar days or such period in which the applicable Exchange Act Report can be timely filed (without taking into account any extensions), then, in the case of clauses (i) through (iv), the Depositor may remove the Securities Administrator and appoint a successor Securities Administrator by written instrument, in triplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Securities Administrator so removed, one copy of which shall be delivered to the Master Servicer and one copy to the successor Securities Administrator. The Holders of Certificates entitled to at least 51% of the Voting Rights may at any time remove the Securities Administrator and appoint a successor Securities Administrator by written instrument or instruments, in triplicate, signed by such Holders or their attorneys in 101 fact duly authorized, one complete set of which instruments shall be delivered by the successor Securities Administrator to the Trustee, one complete set to the Securities Administrator so removed and one complete set to the successor so appointed. Notice of any removal of the Securities Administrator shall be given to each Rating Agency by the successor Securities Administrator. Any resignation or removal of the Securities Administrator and appointment of a successor Securities Administrator pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 10.07 shall become effective upon acceptance by the successor Securities Administrator of appointment as provided in Section 10.08 hereof. Section 10.08 Successor Securities Administrator. Any successor Securities Administrator (which may be the Trustee) appointed as provided in Section 10.07 hereof shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Depositor and to its predecessor Securities Administrator and the Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor Securities Administrator shall become effective and such successor 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 the like effect as if originally named as Securities Administrator herein. The Depositor, the Trustee, the Master Servicer and the predecessor Securities Administrator 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 Securities Administrator all such rights, powers, duties, and obligations. No successor Securities Administrator shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 10.08 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Securities Administrator shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 10.06 hereof and its appointment shall not adversely affect the then current rating of the Certificates, as confirmed in writing by each Rating Agency and has provided to the Depositor in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Depositor, all information reasonably requested by the Depositor in order to comply with its reporting obligation under Item 6.02 of Form 8-K with respect to a replacement Securities Administrator. Upon acceptance by a successor Securities Administrator of appointment as provided in this Section 10.08, the Depositor shall mail notice of the succession of such Securities Administrator hereunder to all Holders of Certificates. If the Depositor fails to mail such notice within ten (10) days after acceptance by the successor Securities Administrator of appointment, the successor Securities Administrator shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Depositor. Section 10.09 Merger or Consolidation of the Securities Administrator. Any corporation or other entity into which the Securities Administrator may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Securities Administrator shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to the business of the Securities Administrator, shall be the successor of the Securities Administrator hereunder, provided that such corporation or other entity shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 10.06 hereof, without the execution 102 or filing of any paper or further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. Section 10.10 Assignment or Delegation of Duties by the Securities Administrator. Except as expressly provided herein, the Securities Administrator shall not assign or transfer any of its rights, benefits or privileges hereunder to any other Person, or delegate to or subcontract with, or authorize or appoint any other Person to perform any of the duties, covenants or obligations to be performed by the Securities Administrator; provided, however, that the Securities Administrator shall have the right with the prior written consent of the Depositor (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and upon delivery to the Trustee and the Depositor of a letter from each Rating Agency to the effect that such action shall not result in a downgrade of the ratings assigned to any of the Certificates, to delegate or assign to or subcontract with or authorize or appoint any qualified Person to perform and carry out any duties, covenants or obligations to be performed and carried out by the Securities Administrator hereunder. Notice of such permitted assignment shall be given promptly by the Securities Administrator to the Depositor and the Trustee. If, pursuant to any provision hereof, the duties of the Securities Administrator are transferred to a successor securities administrator, the entire compensation payable to the Securities Administrator pursuant hereto shall thereafter be payable to such successor securities administrator but in no event shall the fee payable to the successor securities administrator exceed that payable to the predecessor securities administrator. ARTICLE XI TERMINATION Section 11.01 Termination upon Liquidation or Purchase of the Mortgage Loans. Subject to Section 11.03, the obligations and responsibilities of the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Servicers, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee created hereby with respect to the Trust Fund shall terminate upon the earlier of: (a) Avelo, at its option, purchasing (the "Avelo Call") (or, if Avelo is no longer acting as a Servicer of any of the Mortgage Loans, the Depositor may request the Master Servicer to exercise its option to conduct an Auction Call for the purchase of) the Mortgage Loans and all other property of the Trust on a non-recourse basis with no representations or warranties of any nature whatsoever and the sale of all of the Property of the Trust Fund, on or after the Optional Termination Date. The Master Servicer shall accommodate such request to conduct an Auction Call at its sole discretion. The Property of the Trust Fund shall be sold by the Trustee as directed by the Depositor or the Master Servicer to the entity with the highest bid received by the Master Servicer from closed bids solicited by the Master Servicer or its designee; provided that to effectuate such sale, the Master Servicer or its designee shall have made reasonable efforts to sell all of the property of the Trust Fund for its fair market value in a commercially reasonable manner and on commercially reasonable terms, which includes the good faith solicitation of competitive bids to prospective purchasers that are recognized broker/dealers for assets of this type and provided further that, (i) such sale price shall not be less than the Par Value as certified by the Depositor, (ii) the Master Servicer receives bids from no fewer than three prospective purchasers (which may include the Majority Class X Certificateholder) and (iii) such sale price shall be deposited with the Master Servicer prior to the Distribution Date following the month in which such value is determined; and (b) the later of (i) the maturity or other liquidation (or any Advance with respect thereto) of the last Mortgage Loan 103 remaining in the Trust Fund 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. In no event shall the trusts created hereby continue beyond the expiration of 21 years from the death of the 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. For purposes of this Section, the "Termination Price" shall be equal to the greater of: (1) the sum of (i) 100% of the unpaid principal balance of each Mortgage Loan (other than in respect of REO Property) plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate, (ii) the lesser of (x) the appraised value of any REO Property as determined by the higher of two appraisals completed by two independent appraisers selected by the Master Servicer at its expense, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the related mortgage loans at the applicable mortgage rate and (y) the unpaid principal balance of each Mortgage Loan related to any REO Property, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate; and (iii) any Swap Termination Payment other than a Defaulted Swap Termination Payment owed to the Swap Provider; and (2) the aggregate fair market value of each Mortgage Loan and any REO Property, as determined by the highest bid received by the Master Servicer from closed bids solicited by the Depositor or its designee from at least three recognized broker/dealers (one of which may be an affiliate of the Depositor) that deal in similar assets as of the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the date upon which a Notice of Final Distribution is furnished to Certificateholders pursuant to Section 11.02, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Mortgage Loans at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate. The proceeds of the purchase or sale of such assets of the Trust pursuant to the Avelo Call or the Auction Call described in Section 11.01 above (other than, with respect to any mortgage loan and the related property, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the amount in Section 11.01(a)(2) over the sum of the amount in Section 11.01(a)(1) (such excess, the "Fair Market Value Excess")) will be distributed to the holders of the Certificates in accordance with Section 4.01. Any Fair Market Value Excess received in connection with the purchase of the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties will be distributed to the holders of the Class RC Certificates. Except to the extent provided above with regard to allocating any Fair Market Value Excess to the holders of the Class RC Certificates, the proceeds of such a purchase or sale will be treated as a prepayment of the Mortgage Loans for purposes of distributions to Certificateholders. Accordingly, the sale of the Mortgage Loans and the REO Properties as a result of the exercise of the Avelo Call or the Auction Call will result in the final distribution on the Certificates on that Distribution Date. Section 11.02 Final Distribution on the Certificates. If, on any Remittance Date, the Servicers notify the Securities Administrator that there are no Outstanding Mortgage Loans and no other funds or assets in the Trust Fund other than the funds in the Collection Account, the Securities Administrator shall promptly send a Notice of Final Distribution to the applicable Certificateholders. If Avelo exercises its option to terminate the Trust Fund pursuant to clause (a) of Section 11.01, or if an Auction Call is requested pursuant to clause (b) of such Section, the Master Servicer, pursuant to the applicable Step 2 Assignment Agreements and by no later than the tenth (10th) day of the month of final distribution, shall notify the Trustee, each Servicer and 104 the Securities Administrator of the final Distribution Date and of the applicable sale price of the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties. A Notice of Final Distribution, specifying the Distribution Date on which Certificateholders may surrender their Certificates for payment of the final distribution and cancellation, shall be given promptly by the Securities Administrator by letter to Certificateholders mailed not later than the 15th day of the month of such final distribution. Any such Notice of Final Distribution 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 amount of such final distribution, (c) the location of the office or agency at which such presentation and surrender must be made, and (d) 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 of Final Distribution to each Rating Agency at the time such Notice of Final Distribution is given to Certificateholders. In the event the Mortgage Loans (and REO Properties) and all rights and obligations under the Servicing Agreements are purchased or sold pursuant to Section 11.01 and pursuant to the applicable Step 2 Assignment Agreement, the Master Servicer on behalf of the Trustee is required thereunder to remit to the Securities Administrator the applicable Termination Price on the applicable Remittance Date immediately preceding the applicable final Distribution Date. Upon such final deposit with respect to the Trust Fund and the receipt by the Securities Administrator and the Custodians of a request for release therefor in the form of Exhibit L, Exhibit L-1, Exhibit L-2 or Exhibit L-3, as applicable, the Master Servicer shall direct the Custodians to release and the relevant Custodians shall promptly release to the Master Servicer or its designee the Custodial Files for the Mortgage Loans. Upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates, the Securities Administrator shall cause to be distributed to the Certificateholders of each Class (after reimbursement of all amounts due the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Trustee and the Custodians hereunder), in each case on the final Distribution Date and in the order set forth in Section 4.01, in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests, with respect to Certificateholders of the same Class, an amount up to an amount equal to (i) as to each Class of Regular Certificates (except the Class X Certificates), the Certificate Balance thereof plus for each such Class and the Class X Certificates accrued interest thereon in the case of an interest-bearing Certificate and all other amounts to which such Classes are entitled pursuant to Section 4.01, and (ii) as to the Residual Certificates, the amount, if any, which remains on deposit in the Distribution Account after application pursuant to clause (i) above (other than the amounts retained to meet claims). The foregoing provisions are intended to distribute to each Class of Regular Certificates any accrued and unpaid interest and principal to which they are entitled based on the Pass-Through Rates and actual Class Certificate Balances or notional principal balances set forth in the Preliminary Statement upon liquidation of the Trust Fund. 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 105 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 which remain a part of the Trust Fund. If within one year after the second notice all Certificates shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, the Class R Certificateholders shall be entitled to all unclaimed funds and other assets of the Trust Fund which remain subject hereto. Section 11.03 Additional Termination Requirements. In the event the Avelo Call or the Auction Call is exercised as provided in Section 11.01, the Trust Fund shall be terminated in accordance with the following additional requirements, unless the Trustee and the Securities Administrator have been supplied with an Opinion of Counsel, at the expense of the Master Servicer, to the effect that the failure to comply with the requirements of this Section 11.03 will not (i) result in the imposition of taxes on "prohibited transactions" on any Trust REMIC as defined in Section 860F of the Code, or (ii) cause any Trust REMIC to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificates are outstanding: (a) The Securities Administrator on behalf of the Trustee shall sell all of the assets of the Trust Fund to the entity with the highest bid received pursuant to the Auction Call and, by the next Distribution Date after such sale, shall distribute to the Certificateholders the proceeds of such sale in complete liquidation of each of the Trust REMICs; and (b) The Securities Administrator shall attach a statement to the final federal income tax return for each of the Trust REMICs stating that pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.860F-1, the first day of the ninety (90) day liquidation period for each such Trust REMIC was the date on which the Securities Administrator on behalf of the Trustee sold the assets of the Trust Fund to the entity with the highest bid received pursuant to the Auction Call. ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 12.01 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Custodians and the Trustee (and the Master Servicer may request an amendment or consent to any amendment of a Servicing Agreement as directed by the Depositor) without the consent of any of the Certificateholders (i) to cure any ambiguity or mistake, (ii) to correct any defective provision herein or in the applicable Servicing Agreement, or to supplement any provision in this Agreement which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or in the applicable Servicing Agreement, (iii) to add to the duties of the Depositor, or the Trustee (or with respect to the applicable Servicing Agreement, of the applicable Servicer) the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the Custodians, (iv) to add any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising hereunder or under the applicable Servicing Agreement, or (v) to modify, alter, amend, add to or rescind any of the terms or provisions contained in this Agreement or in the applicable Servicing Agreement; provided that any action pursuant to clause (iv) or (v) above shall not, as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel 106 shall be an expense of the requesting party, but in any case shall not be an expense of the Trustee, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator, the Custodians or the Trust Fund), adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Certificateholder; provided, further, that the amendment shall not be deemed to adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Certificateholders if the Person requesting the amendment obtains a letter from each Rating Agency stating that the amendment would not result in the downgrading or withdrawal of the respective ratings then assigned to 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. The Trustee, the Depositor, the Custodians, the Securities Administrator and the Master Servicer also may at any time and from time to time amend this Agreement (and the Master Servicer shall request the Servicers amend the applicable Servicing Agreements), without the consent of the Certificateholders, to modify, eliminate or add to any of its provisions to such extent as shall be necessary or helpful to (i) maintain the qualification of each Trust REMIC under the REMIC Provisions, (ii) avoid or minimize the risk of the imposition of any tax on any Trust REMIC pursuant to the Code that would be a claim at any time prior to the final redemption of the Certificates or (iii) comply with any other requirements of the Code; provided, that the Trustee and the Master Servicer have been provided an Opinion of Counsel, which opinion shall be an expense of the party requesting such opinion but in any case shall not be an expense of the Trustee or the Trust Fund, to the effect that such action is necessary or helpful to, as applicable, (i) maintain such qualification, (ii) avoid or minimize the risk of the imposition of such a tax or (iii) comply with any such requirements of the Code. This Agreement may also be amended from time to time by the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Custodians, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee (and the Master Servicer shall consent to any amendment to the applicable Servicing Agreement as directed by the Depositor) with the consent of the Holders of Certificates evidencing Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 66?% of each Class of Certificates affected thereby for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Certificates; provided, however, that no such amendment shall (i) reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of, payments required to be distributed on any Certificate without the consent of the Holder of such Certificate, (ii) adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Holders of any Class of Certificates in a manner other than as described in clause (i), without the consent of the Holders of Certificates of such Class evidencing, as to such Class, Percentage Interests aggregating not less than 66?%, or (iii) reduce the aforesaid percentages of Certificates the Holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment, without the consent of the Holders of all such Certificates then outstanding. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement, the Trustee and the Master Servicer shall not consent to any amendment to this Agreement or any Servicing Agreement unless (i) each shall have first received an Opinion of Counsel, which opinion shall not be an expense of the Trustee, the Master Servicer or the Trust Fund, to the effect that such amendment will not cause the imposition of any tax on any Trust REMIC or the Certificateholders or cause any Trust REMIC to fail to qualify as a REMIC at any time that any Certificates are outstanding and (ii) the party seeking such amendment shall have provided 107 written notice to the Rating Agencies (with a copy of such notice to the Trustee and the Master Servicer) of such amendment, stating the provisions of the Agreement to be amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.01, with respect to any amendment that significantly modifies the permitted activities of the Trustee or a Servicer under the applicable Servicing Agreement, any Certificate beneficially owned by the Depositor or any of its Affiliates or by the Responsible Party or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding (and shall not be considered when determining the percentage of Certificateholders consenting or when calculating the total number of Certificates entitled to consent) for purposes of determining if the requisite consents of Certificateholders under this Section 12.01 have been obtained. Promptly after the execution of any amendment to this Agreement or any Servicing Agreement requiring the consent of Certificateholders, the Trustee shall furnish written notification of the substance or a copy of such amendment to each Certificateholder and each Rating Agency. It shall not be necessary for the consent of Certificateholders under this Section 12.01 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof. The manner of obtaining such consents and of evidencing the authorization of the execution thereof by Certificateholders shall be subject to such reasonable regulations as the Trustee may prescribe. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Trustee, the Custodians, the Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator to enter into an amendment which modifies its obligations or liabilities without its consent and in all cases without receiving an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion shall not be an expense of the Trustee, the Custodians, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the Trust Fund), satisfactory to the Trustee, the Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, that (i) such amendment is permitted and is not prohibited by this Agreement or the applicable Servicing Agreement and that all requirements for amending this Agreement or such Servicing Agreement have been complied with; and (ii) either (A) the amendment does not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Certificateholder or (B) the conclusion set forth in the immediately preceding clause (A) is not required to be reached pursuant to this Section 12.01. Notwithstanding the Trustee's consent to, or the Master Servicer's request for, any amendment of any Servicing Agreement pursuant to the terms of this Section 12.01, such Servicing Agreement cannot be amended without the consent of the applicable Servicer. Neither the Master Servicer nor the Trustee shall be responsible for any failure by such Servicer to consent to any amendment to the applicable Servicing Agreement. Section 12.02 Recordation of Agreement; Counterparts. 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 properties subject to the Mortgages are situated, and in any other appropriate public recording office or elsewhere, such recordation shall be caused to be effected by the Depositor at the expense of the Trust, but only if an Opinion 108 of Counsel to the effect that such recordation materially and beneficially affects the interests of the Certificateholders is delivered to the Depositor. For the purpose of facilitating the recordation of this Agreement as herein provided and for other purposes, this Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Section 12.03 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS. Section 12.04 Intention of Parties. It is the express intent of the parties hereto that the conveyance (i) of the Mortgage Loans by the Depositor and (ii) of the Trust Fund by the Depositor to the Trustee each be, and be construed as, an absolute sale thereof. It is, further, not the intention of the parties that such conveyances be deemed a pledge thereof. However, in the event that, notwithstanding the intent of the parties, such assets are held to be the property of the Depositor, or if for any other reason this Agreement is held or deemed to create a security interest in either of such assets, then (i) this Agreement shall be deemed to be a security agreement within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York and (ii) the conveyances provided for in this Agreement shall be deemed to be an assignment and a grant by the Depositor to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, of a security interest in all of the assets transferred, whether now owned or hereafter acquired. The Depositor, for the benefit of the Certificateholders, shall, to the extent consistent with this Agreement, take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that, if this Agreement were deemed to create a security interest in the Trust Fund, such security interest would be deemed to be a perfected security interest of first priority under applicable law and will be maintained as such throughout the term of the Agreement. The Depositor shall arrange for filing any Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements in connection with any security interest granted or assigned to the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders. Section 12.05 Notices. (a) The Securities Administrator shall use its best efforts to promptly provide notice to each Rating Agency with respect to each of the following of which it has actual knowledge: (i) Any material change or amendment to this Agreement; (ii) The occurrence of any Event of Default that has not been cured; (iii) The resignation or termination of a Servicer, Master Servicer, Securities Administrator or the Trustee and the appointment of any successor; (iv) The repurchase or substitution of Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Agreement or the Sale Agreements; and 109 (v) The final payment to Certificateholders. (b) In addition, the Securities Administrator shall promptly make available on its internet website to each Rating Agency copies of the following: (i) Each report to Certificateholders described in Section 4.02. (ii) The Servicer's annual statement of compliance and the accountant's report described in the Servicing Agreements; and (iii) Any notice of a purchase of a Mortgage Loan pursuant to this Agreement and any Sale Agreement. (b) All directions, demands and notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered to: (a) in the case of the Depositor, the Purchaser or the Goldman Conduit, to Goldman, Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, Attention: Principal Finance Group/Christopher M. Gething and Asset Management Group/Senior Asset Manager, or such other address as may be hereafter furnished to the Securities Administrator by the Depositor in writing; (b) in the case of Avelo, to Avelo Mortgage, L.L.C., 600 E. Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 620, Irving, Texas 75039, Attention: President and General Counsel, or such other address as may be hereafter furnished to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator by Avelo in writing; (c) in the case of Countrywide and Countrywide Servicing, to Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP, 4500 Park Granada, Calabasas, California 91302, Attention: Investor Accounting, or such other address as may be hereafter furnished to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator by Countrywide Servicing in writing; (d) in the case of JPMorgan, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, c/o Chase Home Finance LLC, 10790 Rancho Bernardo Road, San Diego, California, 92127, Attention: Cindy Dunks, with a copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 194 Wood Avenue South, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, Attention: General Counsel, or such other address as may be hereafter furnished to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator by JPMorgan in writing; (e) in the case of Wells Fargo, as a Custodian, to Wells Fargo, N.A., 7485 New Horizon Way, Frederick, Maryland 21703, Attention: GSAA 2006-6, or such other address as may be hereafter furnished to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator by Wells Fargo in writing; (f) in the case of FNBN, to First National Bank of Nevada, 17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255, Attention: Secondary Marketing, or such other address as may hereinafter be furnished to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator by FNBN in writing; (g) in the case of the Trustee or the Securities Administrator to its Corporate Trust Office, or such other address as the Trustee or the Securities Administrator may hereafter furnish to the Depositor; (h) in the case of the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., P.O. Box 98, Columbia, Maryland 21046, Attention: GSAA 2006-8, or such other address as may be hereafter furnished to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator by the Master Servicer in writing; (i) in the case of Deutsche Bank as a Custodian, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, 1761 East St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, California 92705, Attention: Mortgage Custody - GS0608; (j) in the case of U.S. Bank, U.S. Bank National Association, 1133 Rankin Street, Suite 100, St. Paul, Minnesota 55116, Attention: GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-6; (k) in the case of the Swap Provider, to the related Swap Provider addressed to it at the address specified in the Interest Rate Swap Agreement or at any other address previously furnished in 110 writing to the Trust by the related Swap Provider; and (l) in the case of each of the Rating Agencies, the address specified therefor in the definition corresponding to the name of such Rating Agency. Notices to Certificateholders shall be deemed given when mailed, first class postage prepaid, to their respective addresses appearing in the Certificate Register. Section 12.06 Severability of Provisions. If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall be for any reason whatsoever held invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions or terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement or of the Certificates or the rights of the Holders thereof. Section 12.07 Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders. The death or incapacity of any Certificateholder shall not operate to terminate this Agreement or the trust created hereby, nor entitle such Certificateholder's legal representative or heirs to claim an accounting or to take any action or commence any proceeding in any court for a petition or winding up of the trust created hereby, or otherwise affect the rights, obligations and liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them. No Certificateholder shall have any right to vote (except as provided herein) or in any manner otherwise control the operation and management of the Trust Fund, or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything herein set forth or contained in the terms of the Certificates be construed so as to constitute the Certificateholders from time to time as partners or members of an association; nor shall any Certificateholder be under any liability to any third party by reason of any action taken by the parties to this Agreement pursuant to any provision hereof. No Certificateholder shall have any right by virtue or by availing itself of any provisions of this Agreement to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Agreement, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee a written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as herein provided, and unless the Holders of Certificates evidencing not less than 25% of the Voting Rights evidenced by the Certificates shall also have made written request to the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses, and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for sixty (60) days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by each Certificateholder with every other Certificateholder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Certificates shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing itself or themselves of any provisions of this Agreement to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the Holders of any other of the Certificates, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder or to enforce any right under this Agreement, except in the manner herein provided and for the common benefit of all Certificateholders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 12.07, each and every Certificateholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity. 111 Section 12.08 Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid. It is the intention of the Depositor that Certificateholders shall not be personally liable for obligations of the Trust Fund, that the interests in the Trust Fund represented by the Certificates shall be nonassessable for any reason whatsoever, and that the Certificates, upon due authentication thereof by the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement, are and shall be deemed fully paid. Section 12.09 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH DISPUTE SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY. ARTICLE XIII EXCHANGE ACT REPORTING Section 13.01 Filing Obligations. The Master Servicer, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator and each Custodian shall reasonably cooperate with the Depositor and Securities Administrator in connection with the satisfaction of the Depositor's reporting requirements under the Exchange Act with respect to the Trust Fund. In addition to the information specified below, if so requested by the Depositor in writing for the purpose of satisfying its reporting obligation under the Exchange Act, the Master Servicer, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator and each Custodian shall (and the Master Servicer shall cause each Servicer and subservicer to) provide the Depositor with (a) such information which is available to such Person without unreasonable effort or expense and within such timeframe as may be reasonably requested by the Depositor to comply with the Depositor's reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and (b) to the extent such Person is a party (and the Depositor is not a party) to any agreement or amendment required to be filed, copies of such agreement or amendment in EDGAR-compatible form. 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 immediately notify the Depositor. In the case of Form 10-D and 10-K, the parties to this Agreement and the Servicers will cooperate to prepare and file a Form 12b-25 and a 10-DA and 10-KA 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 information with respect to Reportable Events and upon the approval and direction of the Depositor, include such disclosure information on the next Form 10-D. In the event that any previously filed Form 8-K, 10-D or 10-K needs to be amended, the Securities Administrator will notify the Depositor and such parties will cooperate to prepare any necessary 8-KA, 10-DA or 10-KA. Any Form 12b-25 or any amendment to Form 8-K, 10-D or 10-K shall be signed by the Master Servicer. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the performance by the Securities Administrator of 112 its duties under this Section 13.01 related to the timely preparation and filing of 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. The Securities Administrator shall have no liability for any loss, expense, damage, claim arising out of or with respect to any failure to properly prepare and/or timely file any such 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 obtain or receive, on a timely basis, any information from any other party hereto needed to prepare, arrange for execution or file such Form 12b-25 or any amendments to Forms 8-K, 10-D or 10-K, not resulting from its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Depositor agrees to promptly furnish to the Securities Administrator, from time to time upon written request, such further information, reports and financial statements within its control related to the Trust Agreement and the Mortgage Loans as the Depositor reasonably deems appropriate to prepare and file all necessary reports with the Commission. Upon filing with the Commission and upon request by the Depositor, the Securities Administrator shall promptly deliver to the Depositor a copy of any such reports. Section 13.02 Form 10-D Filings. (a) In accordance with the Exchange Act, the Securities Administrator shall prepare for filing and file within fifteen (15) days after each Distribution Date (subject to permitted extensions under the Exchange Act and until a Form 15 is filed pursuant to Section 13.06) with the Commission with respect to the Trust Fund, a Form 10-D with copies of the Monthly Statement and, to the extent delivered to the Securities Administrator, no later than ten (10) days following the Distribution Date, such other information identified by the Depositor, to be filed with the Commission (such other information, the "Additional Designated Information"). If the Depositor directs that any Additional Designated Information is to be filed with any Form 10-D, the Depositor shall specify the Item on Form 10-D to which such information is responsive and, with respect to any Exhibit to be filed on Form 10-D, the Exhibit number. Any information to be filed on Form 10-D shall be delivered to the Securities Administrator in EDGAR-compatible form or as otherwise agreed upon by the Securities Administrator and the Depositor at the Depositor's expense, and any necessary conversion to EDGAR-compatible format will be at the Depositor's expense. At the reasonable request of, and in accordance with the reasonable directions of, the Depositor, the Securities Administrator shall prepare for filing and file an amendment to any Form 10-D previously filed with the Commission with respect to the Trust Fund. The Master Servicer shall sign the Form 10-D filed on behalf of the Trust Fund. (b) No later than each Distribution Date, each of the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee (solely as to itself), shall, to the extent they have knowledge, notify (and the Master Servicer shall cause any Servicer, to the extent such Servicer is required to make such disclosure under its Servicing Agreement, to notify) the Depositor of any Form 10-D Disclosure Item, together with a description of any such Form 10-D Disclosure Item in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Depositor and as applicable to such party. In addition to such information as the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee are obligated to provide pursuant to other provisions of this Agreement, if so requested by the Depositor, each of the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator shall provide such information which is available to the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator, as 113 applicable, without unreasonable effort or expense regarding the performance or servicing of the Mortgage Loans as is reasonably required to facilitate preparation of distribution reports in accordance with Item 1121 of Regulation AB. (c) The Securities Administrator shall not have any responsibility to file any items (other than those generated by it) that have not been received in a format suitable (or readily convertible into a format suitable) for electronic filing via the EDGAR system and shall not have any responsibility to convert any such items to such format (other than those items generated by it or that are readily convertible to such format). The Securities Administrator shall have no liability to the Certificateholders, the Trust Fund, the Master Servicer or the Depositor with respect to any failure to properly prepare or file any of Form 10-D to the extent that such failure is not the result of any negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part. Section 13.03 Form 8-K Filings. The Securities Administrator shall prepare and file, within four (4) Business Days after the Reportable Event (via EDGAR), any Form 8-K (other than the initial Current Report on Form 8-K) required by the Exchange Act and the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder as requested and signed by the Depositor. Each of the Master Servicer (and the Master Servicer shall cause any Servicer to promptly notify), the Securities Administrator and the Trustee shall promptly notify the Depositor, but in no event later than one (1) Business Day after its actual knowledge of the occurrence of any Reportable Event, as applicable to it, of which a Responsible Officer of such entity has actual knowledge. Section 13.04 Form 10-K Filings. Prior to March 30th of each year, commencing in 2007 (or such earlier date as may be required by the Exchange Act and the Rules and Regulations of the Commission and until a Form 15 is filed pursuant to Section 13.06), the Securities Administrator shall prepare and file on behalf of the Trust Fund a Form 10-K, in form and substance as required by applicable law or the Exchange Act. The Depositor shall sign each Form 10-K filed on behalf of the Trust Fund. Such Form 10-K shall include as exhibits each (i) annual statement of compliance described in the paragraph below, (ii) annual report on assessments of compliance with servicing criteria described under Section 13.07 and (iii) accountant's report described under Section 13.07. Each Form 10-K shall also include any Sarbanes-Oxley Certification required to be included therewith, as described in Section 13.05. The Securities Administrator shall have no liability with respect to any failure to properly prepare or file such periodic reports resulting from or relating to the Securities Administrator's inability or failure to obtain any information not resulting from its own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Master Servicer shall, and shall cause each Servicer to cause any subservicer used by such Servicer to, deliver to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator on or before March 15 of each year, commencing with its 2007 fiscal year, an Officer's Certificate stating, as to the signer thereof, that (i) a review of the activities of such Person during the preceding calendar year (or applicable portion thereof) and of the performance of the Master Servicer under this Agreement, or in the case of a Servicer or subservicer, the applicable Servicing Agreement, has been made under such officer's supervision and (ii) to the best of such officer's knowledge, 114 based on such review, such Person has fulfilled all its obligations under this Agreement, or in the case of a Servicer or subservicer, the applicable Servicing Agreement, in all material respects throughout such year (or applicable 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. No later than March 10 of each year, commencing in 2007, and until a Form 15 is filed pursuant to Section 13.06, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee (as to item 9a) in the definition of Form 10-K Disclosure Item) shall notify (and the Master Servicer shall cause each Servicer to notify) the Depositor of any Form 10-K Disclosure Item, together with a description of any such Form 10-K Disclosure Item in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Depositor. Additionally, each of the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the related Custodian shall provide, and shall cause each Reporting Subcontractor retained by the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the related Custodian, as applicable, and in the case of the Master Servicer shall cause each Servicer, to provide, the following information no later than March 10 of each year in which a Form 10-K is required to be filed on behalf of the Trust Fund: (i) if such Person's report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria described under Section 13.07 or related registered public accounting firm attestation report described under Section 13.07 identifies any material instance of noncompliance, notification of such instance of noncompliance and (ii) if any such Person's report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria or related registered public accounting firm attestation report is not provided to be filed as an exhibit to such Form 10-K, information detailing the explanation why such report is not included. Section 13.05 Sarbanes-Oxley Certification. Each Form 10-K shall include a certification (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Certification") required by Rules 13a-14(d) and 15d-14(d) under the Exchange Act (pursuant to Section 302 of 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)). No later than March 15 of each year, beginning in 2007, the Master Servicer and the Securities Administrator shall (unless such person is the Certifying Person), and the Master Servicer shall cause each Servicer to, provide to the Person who signs the Sarbanes-Oxley Certification (the "Certifying Person") a certification (each, a "Performance Certification"), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J-1 (in the case of the Master Servicer) and Exhibit J-2 (in the case of the Securities Administrator), on 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, "Certification Parties") can reasonably rely. The Depositor will serve as the Certifying Person on behalf of the Trust and will not request delivery of a certification under this clause unless the Depositor is required under the Exchange Act to file an annual report on Form 10-K with respect to the Trust Fund. In the event that prior to the filing date of the Form 10-K in March of each year, the Securities Administrator or the Master Servicer has actual knowledge of information material to the Sarbanes-Oxley Certification, the Securities Administrator or the Master Servicer, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Depositor. The respective parties hereto agree to cooperate with all reasonable requests made by any Certifying Person or Certification Party in connection with such Person's attempt to conduct any due diligence that 115 such Person reasonably believes to be appropriate in order to allow it to deliver any Sarbanes-Oxley Certification or portion thereof with respect to the Trust Fund. Section 13.06 Form 15 Filing. 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, sign and file a Form 15 relating to the automatic suspension of reporting in respect of the Trust Fund under the Exchange Act. Section 13.07 Report on Assessment of Compliance and Attestation. (a) On or before March 15th of each calendar year, commencing in 2007: (1) Each of the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Custodians shall deliver to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator a report regarding the Master Servicer's, the Securities Administrator's or Custodians', as applicable, assessment of compliance with the Servicing Criteria applicable to it during the immediately preceding calendar year, as required under Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 of the Exchange Act and Item 1122 of Regulation AB; provided, however, the Securities Administrator and Custodians shall deliver such report until a Form 15 is filed pursuant to Section 13.06. Such report shall be signed by an authorized officer of such Person and shall address each of the Servicing Criteria applicable to it identified in Exhibit K hereto delivered to the Depositor concurrently with the execution of this Agreement. To the extent any of the Servicing Criteria so specified are not applicable to such Person, with respect to asset-backed securities transactions taken as a whole involving such Person and that are backed by the same asset type backing the Certificates, such report shall include such a statement to that effect. The Depositor and its respective officers and directors shall be entitled to rely on upon each such servicing criteria assessment. (2) Each of the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator and the Custodians shall deliver to the Depositor, the Securities Administrator and the Master Servicer a report of a registered public accounting firm that attests to, and reports on, the assessment of compliance made by Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the Custodians, as applicable, and delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraphs. Such 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, including, without limitation that 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. To the extent any of the Servicing Criteria are not applicable to such Person, with respect to asset-backed securities transactions taken as a whole involving such Person and that are backed by the same asset type backing the Certificates, such report shall include such a statement to that effect. (3) The Master Servicer shall cause each Servicer and Reporting Subcontractor to deliver to the Depositor an assessment of compliance and accountant's attestation as and when provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13.07. 116 (4) The Securities Administrator shall cause each Reporting Subcontractor under its employ, if any, to deliver to the Depositor and the Master Servicer an assessment of compliance and accountant's attestation as and when provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section. (b) Each assessment of compliance provided by the Securities Administrator, the Master Servicer or the Custodians pursuant to Section 13.07(a)(2) shall address each of the Servicing Criteria applicable to it specified on a Exhibit K hereto delivered to the Depositor concurrently with the execution of this Agreement or, in the case of a securities administrator, master servicer or custodian subsequently appointed as such, on or prior to the date of such appointment. An assessment of compliance provided by a Subcontractor pursuant to Section 13.07(a)(3) or (4) need not address any elements of the Servicing Criteria other than those specified pursuant to Section 13.07(a)(1). Section 13.08 Use of Subservicers and Subcontractors. (a) The Master Servicer shall cause any subservicer used by the Master Servicer and shall cause each Servicer to cause any subservicer used by such servicer for the benefit of the Depositor to comply with the provisions of this Article XIII to the same extent as if such Servicer or subservicer were the Master Servicer (except with respect to the Master Servicer's duties with respect to preparing and filing any Exchange Act Reports or as the Certifying Person). The Master Servicer shall be responsible for obtaining from each Servicer and subservicer and delivering to the Depositor any servicer compliance statement required to be delivered by such Servicer or subservicer pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 13.04, any assessment of compliance and attestation required to be delivered by such Servicer or subservicer under Section 13.07 and any certification required to be delivered to the Certifying Person under Section 13.05 as and when required to be delivered. (b) It shall not be necessary for the Master Servicer, any Servicer, any subservicer or the Securities Administrator to seek the consent of the Depositor or any other party hereto to the utilization of any Subcontractor. The Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, shall promptly upon request provide to the Depositor (or any designee of the Depositor, such as the Master Servicer or administrator) a written description (in form and substance satisfactory to the Depositor) of the role and function of each Subcontractor utilized by such Person (or in the case of the Master Servicer, any Servicer or any subservicer), specifying (i) the identity of each such Subcontractor, (ii) which (if any) of such Subcontractors are "participating in the servicing function" within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, and (iii) which elements of the Servicing Criteria will be addressed in assessments of compliance provided by each Subcontractor identified pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph. As a condition to the utilization of any Subcontractor determined to be a Reporting Subcontractor, the Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, shall cause any such Subcontractor used by such Person (or in the case of the Master Servicer, any Servicer or any subservicer) for the benefit of the Depositor to comply with the provisions of Sections 13.07 of this Agreement to the same extent as if such Subcontractor were the Master Servicer (except with respect to the Master Servicer's duties with respect to preparing and filing any Exchange Act Reports or as the Certifying Person) or the Securities Administrator, as applicable. The Master Servicer or the Securities Administrator, as applicable, shall be responsible for obtaining 117 from each Subcontractor and delivering to the Depositor and the Master Servicer, any assessment of compliance and attestation required to be delivered by such Subcontractor under Section 13.07, in each case as and when required to be delivered. * * * * * * * IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their names to be signed hereto by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written. GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. By: /s/ Mark Weiss ------------------------------------- Name: Mark Weiss Title: Managing Director DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, solely in its capacity as Trustee and a Custodian and not in its individual capacity By: /s/ Amy Stoddard ------------------------------------- Name: Amy Stoddard Title: Authorized Signer By: /s/ Hang Luu ------------------------------------- Name: Hang Luu Title: Authorized Signer WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Master Servicer, Securities Administrator and as a Custodian By: /s/ Mary Hogan ------------------------------------- Name: Mary Hogan Title: Vice President [SIGNATURES CONTINUE] Master Servicing and Trust Agreement JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Custodian By: /s/ Bruce Williams ------------------------------------- Name: Bruce E. Williams Title: Assistant Vice President U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Custodian By: /s/ Mark A. Hess ------------------------------------- Name: Mark A. Hess Title: Assistant Vice President Solely for purposes of Sections 9.03(b) and 11.01 accepted and agreed to by: AVELO MORTGAGE, L.L.C. By: /s/ Michael Forbes ------------------------------------- Name: Michael Forbes Title: Vice President Master Servicing and Trust Agreement SCHEDULE I Mortgage Loan Schedule [On File with the Securities Administrator as provided by the Depositor] S-I-1 EXHIBIT A FORM OF CLASS 1A1, CLASS 2A1, CLASS 2A2, CLASS 2A3A, CLASS 2A3B, CLASS M-1, CLASS M-2, CLASS M-3, CLASS M-4, CLASS M-5, CLASS B-1, CLASS B-2, AND CLASS B-3 CERTIFICATES [To be added to the Class B-3 Certificates while they remain non-investment grade Certificates: IF THIS CERTIFICATE IS A PHYSICAL CERTIFICATE, NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE PROPOSED TRANSFEROR DELIVERS TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR A TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE (THE "TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE") IN THE FORM OF EXHIBIT I TO THE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN AND EITHER (I) THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVES A RULE 144A LETTER (THE "RULE 144A LETTER") IN THE FORM OF EXHIBIT J TO THE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN OR (II) THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, DELIVERED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TRANSFEROR, THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE MADE WITHOUT-REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.] IF THIS CERTIFICATE IS A BOOK-ENTRY CERTIFICATE, THE PROPOSED TRANSFEROR WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE EACH OF THE CERTIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN THE TRANSFEROR LETTER AND THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE EACH OF THE CERTIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN THE RULE 144A LETTER, IN EACH CASE AS IF SUCH CERTIFICATE WERE EVIDENCED BY A PHYSICAL CERTIFICATE. [To be added to the Class B-3 Certificates while they remain Private Certificates: NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE TRANSFEREE DELIVERS TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR EITHER A REPRESENTATION LETTER TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFEREE IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW ("SIMILAR LAW") MATERIALLY SIMILAR TO THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE OR A PERSON INVESTING ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF SUCH A PLAN, OR, IF THE TRANSFEREE IS AN INSURANCE COMPANY, A REPRESENTATION LETTER THAT IT IS USING THE ASSETS OF ITS GENERAL ACCOUNT AND THAT THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS CERTIFICATE SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF UNDER SECTIONS I AND III OF PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 95-60, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE, THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AND THE DEPOSITOR, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS CERTIFICATE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ERISA, SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR ANY SIMILAR LAW AND A-1 WILL NOT SUBJECT THE DEPOSITOR, THE TRUSTEE, THE MASTER SERVICER, THE SERVICERS OR THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR TO ANY OBLIGATION IN ADDITION TO THOSE EXPRESSLY UNDERTAKEN IN THIS AGREEMENT OR TO ANY LIABILITY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING ELSE TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, ANY PURPORTED TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO OR ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR SIMILAR LAW WITHOUT THE REPRESENTATION LETTER OR OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE AND DEPOSITOR AS DESCRIBED ABOVE SHALL BE VOID AND OF NO EFFECT.] IN THE EVENT THAT A TRANSFER OF A PRIVATE CERTIFICATE WHICH IS A BOOK-ENTRY CERTIFICATE 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 WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE AS OF THE TRANSFER DATE EACH OF THE CERTIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN THE TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE IN RESPECT OF SUCH CERTIFICATE AND THE TRANSFEREE WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE AS OF THE TRANSFER DATE EACH OF THE CERTIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN THE RULE 144A LETTER IN RESPECT OF SUCH CERTIFICATE, IN EACH CASE AS IF SUCH CERTIFICATE WERE EVIDENCED BY A PHYSICAL CERTIFICATE. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE REPRESENTS AN INTEREST IN A "REGULAR INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT," AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE"), AND CERTAIN OTHER ASSETS. [To be added to the Class B-3 Certificates while they remain Private Certificates: THIS CERTIFICATE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"). ANY RESALE OR TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT REGISTRATION THEREOF UNDER THE ACT MAY ONLY BE MADE IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPTED FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN.] A-2 Certificate No. : Cut-off Date : April 1, 2006 First Distribution Date : May 25, 2006 Initial Certificate Balance of this Certificate ("Denomination") : Initial Certificate Balances of all Certificates of this Class : ___________________ _____________ CUSIP ISIN A-3 GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-8 [Class 1A1][Class 2A1][Class 2A2][Class 2A3A][Class 2A3B] [Class M-1][Class M-2] [Class M-3][Class M-4] [Class M-5] [Class B-1][Class B-2][Class B-3] evidencing a percentage interest in the distributions allocable to the Certificates of the above-referenced Class. Principal in respect of this Certificate is distributable monthly as set forth herein. Accordingly, the Certificate Balance at any time may be less than the Certificate Balance as set forth herein. This Certificate does not evidence an obligation of, or an interest in, and is not guaranteed by the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee referred to below or any of their respective affiliates. Neither this Certificate nor the Mortgage Loans are guaranteed or insured by any governmental agency or instrumentality. This certifies that CEDE & CO. is the registered owner of the Percentage Interest evidenced by this Certificate (obtained by dividing the denomination of this Certificate by the aggregate of the denominations of all Certificates of the Class to which this Certificate belongs) in certain monthly distributions pursuant to a Master Servicing and Trust Agreement dated as of the Cut-off Date specified above (the "Agreement") among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee") and as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Master Servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer"), Securities Administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as a custodian and U.S. Bank National Association, as a custodian. To the extent not defined herein, the capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned in the Agreement. This Certificate is issued under and is subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement, to which Agreement the Holder of this Certificate by virtue of the acceptance hereof assents and by which such Holder is bound. Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. This Certificate shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Agreement or be valid for any purpose unless manually authenticated by an authorized signatory of the Securities Administrator. * * * A-4 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Securities Administrator has caused this Certificate to be duly executed. Dated: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but solely as Securities Administrator By:__________________________________ Authenticated: By:_______________________________ Authorized Signatory of WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but solely as Securities Administrator A-5 GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates This Certificate is one of a duly authorized issue of Certificates designated as GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates, of the Series specified on the face hereof (herein collectively called the "Certificates"), and representing a beneficial ownership interest in the Trust Fund created by the Agreement. The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that it will look solely to the funds on deposit in the Distribution Account for payment hereunder and that the Trustee is not liable to the Certificateholders for any amount payable under this Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the Agreement, subject to any liability under the Agreement. This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference is made to the Agreement for the interests, rights and limitations of rights, benefits, obligations and duties evidenced thereby, and the rights, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the other parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, a distribution will be made on the 25th day of each month or, if such day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately following (the "Distribution Date"), commencing on the first Distribution Date specified on the face hereof, to the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on the applicable Record Date in an amount equal to the product of the Percentage Interest evidenced by this Certificate and the amount required to be distributed to Holders of Certificates of the Class to which this Certificate belongs on such Distribution Date pursuant to the Agreement. The Record Date for each Distribution Date is the last Business Day of the applicable Interest Accrual Period for the related Distribution Date; provided, however, that for any Definitive Certificates, the Record Date shall be the last Business Day of the month immediately preceding the month of such Distribution Date. Distributions on this Certificate shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Holder hereof at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Certificateholder shall have so notified the Securities Administrator in writing at least five (5) Business Days prior to the related Record Date and such Certificateholder shall satisfy the conditions to receive such form of payment set forth in the Agreement, or, if not, by check mailed by first class mail to the address of such Certificateholder appearing in the Certificate Register. The final distribution on each Certificate will be made in like manner, but only upon presentment and surrender of such Certificate at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes, or such other location specified in the notice to Certificateholders of such final distribution. The Agreement permits, with certain exceptions therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Trustee and the rights of the Certificateholders under the Agreement at any time by the Depositor, the Trustee and the other A-6 parties to the Agreement with the consent of the Holders of Certificates affected by such amendment evidencing the requisite Percentage Interest, as provided in the Agreement. Any such consent by the Holder of this Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Certificate and of any Certificate issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this Certificate. The Agreement also permits the amendment thereof, in certain limited circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Certificates. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate Register of the Securities Administrator upon surrender of this Certificate for registration of transfer at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Securities Administrator duly executed by the holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest in the Trust Fund will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. The Certificates are issuable only as registered Certificates without coupons in denominations specified in the Agreement. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Certificates are exchangeable for new Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Securities Administrator may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. The Trustee, the Depositor and the Securities Administrator and any agent of the Trustee, the Depositor or the Securities Administrator may treat the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and none of the Depositor, the Trustee, the Securities Administrator, nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. On any Distribution Date on which the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans is less than or equal to 10% of the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance, the Person specified in Section 11.01 of the Agreement will have the option to effectuate the purchase, in whole, from the Trust Fund all remaining Mortgage Loans and all property acquired in respect of the Mortgage Loans at a purchase price determined and in the manner as provided in the Agreement. The obligations and responsibilities created by this Agreement will terminate as provided in Section 11.01 of the Agreement. Any term used herein that is defined in the Agreement shall have the meaning assigned in the Agreement, and nothing herein shall be deemed inconsistent with that meaning. A-7 ASSIGNMENT ---------- FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ (Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee) the Percentage Interest evidenced by the within Certificate and hereby authorizes the transfer of registration of such Percentage Interest to assignee on the Certificate Register of the Trust Fund. I (We) further direct the Securities Administrator to issue a new Certificate of a like denomination and Class, to the above named assignee and deliver such Certificate to the following address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Dated: ____________________________________________ Signature by or on behalf of assignor A-8 DISTRIBUTION INSTRUCTIONS ------------------------- The assignee should include the following for purposes of distribution: Distributions shall be made, by wire transfer or otherwise, in immediately available funds to_______________________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________, for the account of___________________________________________________________, account number ______, or, if mailed by check, to____________________________. Applicable statements should be mailed to____________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________. This information is provided by__________________________________, the assignee named above, or_________________________________________________, as its agent. A-9 EXHIBIT B FORM OF CLASS P CERTIFICATE NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE PROPOSED TRANSFEROR DELIVERS TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR A TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE (THE "TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE") IN THE FORM OF EXHIBIT H TO THE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN AND EITHER (I) THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVES A RULE 144A LETTER IN THE FORM OF EXHIBIT I TO THE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN OR (II) THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, DELIVERED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TRANSFEROR, THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE TRANSFEREE DELIVERS TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR EITHER A REPRESENTATION LETTER TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFEREE IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW ("SIMILAR LAW") MATERIALLY SIMILAR TO THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE OR A PERSON INVESTING ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF SUCH A PLAN, OR IF THE TRANSFEREE IS AN INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN ERISA-QUALIFYING UNDERWRITING, A REPRESENTATION LETTER THAT IT IS USING THE ASSETS OF ITS GENERAL ACCOUNT AND THAT THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS CERTIFICATE SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF UNDER SECTIONS I AND III OF PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 95-60, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE, THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AND THE DEPOSITOR, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS CERTIFICATE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ERISA, SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR ANY SIMILAR LAW AND WILL NOT SUBJECT THE TRUSTEE, THE MASTER SERVICER, THE DEPOSITOR OR THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR TO ANY OBLIGATION IN ADDITION TO THOSE EXPRESSLY UNDERTAKEN IN THIS AGREEMENT OR TO ANY LIABILITY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING ELSE TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, ANY PURPORTED TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO OR ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR SIMILAR LAW WITHOUT THE REPRESENTATION LETTER OR OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AS DESCRIBED ABOVE SHALL BE VOID AND OF NO EFFECT. B-1 Certificate No. : 1 Cut-off Date : April 1, 2006 First Distribution Date : May 25, 2006 Percentage Interest of this Certificate ("Denomination") : [_____]% CUSIP : ISIN : B-2 GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-8 Class P evidencing a percentage interest in the distributions allocable to the Certificates of the above referenced Class. Distributions in respect of this Certificate are distributable monthly as set forth herein. This Certificate does not evidence an obligation of, or an interest in, and is not guaranteed by the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee referred to below or any of their respective affiliates. Neither this Certificate nor the Mortgage Loans are guaranteed or insured by any governmental agency or instrumentality. This certifies that [_______________________] is the registered owner of the Percentage Interest evidenced by this Certificate (obtained by dividing the denomination of this Certificate by the aggregate of the denominations of all Certificates of the Class to which this Certificate belongs) in certain monthly distributions pursuant to a Master Servicing and Trust Agreement dated as of the Cut-off Date specified above (the "Agreement") among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee") and as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Master Servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer"), Securities Administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as a custodian and U.S. Bank National Association, as a custodian. To the extent not defined herein, the capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned in the Agreement. This Certificate is issued under and is subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement, to which Agreement the Holder of this Certificate by virtue of the acceptance hereof assents and by which such Holder is bound. This Certificate does not have a Pass-Through Rate and will be entitled to distributions only to the extent set forth in the Agreement. In addition, any distribution of the proceeds of any remaining assets of the Trust will be made only upon presentment and surrender of this Certificate at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes or the office or agency maintained by the Securities Administrator. No transfer of a Certificate of this Class shall be made unless such disposition is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and any applicable state securities laws or is made in accordance with the 1933 Act and such laws. In the event of any such transfer, the Securities Administrator shall require the transferor to execute a transferor certificate (in substantially the form attached to the Agreement) and deliver either (i) a Rule 144A Letter, (in substantially the form attached to the Agreement), or (ii) a written Opinion of Counsel to the Securities Administrator that such transfer may be made pursuant to an exemption, describing the applicable exemption and the basis therefor, from the 1933 Act or is being made pursuant to the 1933 Act, which Opinion of Counsel shall be an expense of the transferor. No transfer of a Certificate of this Class shall be made unless the B-3 Securities Administrator shall have received either (i) a representation letter from the transferee of such Certificate, acceptable to and in form and substance satisfactory to the Securities Administrator, to the effect that such transferee is not an employee benefit plan subject to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or any materially similar provisions of applicable federal, state or local law ("Similar Law") or a person acting on behalf of or investing plan assets of any such plan, which representation letter shall not be an expense of the Securities Administrator, or (ii) if the transferee is an insurance company and the certificate has been the subject of an ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting, a representation letter that it is purchasing such Certificates with the assets of its general account and that the purchase and holding of such Certificates satisfy the requirements for exemptive relief under Sections I and III of PTCE 95-60, or (iii) in the case of a Certificate presented for registration in the name of an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA, or a plan or arrangement subject to Section 4975 of the Code (or comparable provisions of any subsequent enactments) or a plan subject to Similar Law, or a trustee of any such plan or any other person acting on behalf of any such plan or arrangement or using such plan's or arrangement's assets, an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Securities Administrator, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Securities Administrator, the Depositor, the Trustee or the Trust Fund, addressed to the Securities Administrator, the Trustee and the Depositor to the effect that the purchase and holding of such Certificate will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction within the meaning of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any Similar Law and will not subject the Trustee to any obligation in addition to those expressly undertaken in this Agreement or to any liability. Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. This Certificate shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Agreement or be valid for any purpose unless manually authenticated by an authorized signatory of the Securities Administrator. * * * B-4 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Securities Administrator has caused this Certificate to be duly executed. Dated: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but solely as Securities Administrator By:_______________________________________ Authenticated: By:___________________ Authorized Signatory of WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but solely as Securities Administrator B-5 GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates This Certificate is one of a duly authorized issue of Certificates designated as GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates, of the Series specified on the face hereof (herein collectively called the "Certificates"), and representing a beneficial ownership interest in the Trust Fund created by the Agreement. The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that it will look solely to the funds on deposit in the Distribution Account for payment hereunder and that the Trustee is not liable to the Certificateholders for any amount payable under this Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the Agreement, subject to any liability under the Agreement. This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference is made to the Agreement for the interests, rights and limitations of rights, benefits, obligations and duties evidenced thereby, and the rights, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the other parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, a distribution will be made on the 25th day of each month or, if such 25th day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately following (the "Distribution Date"), commencing on the first Distribution Date specified on the face hereof, to the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on the applicable Record Date in an amount equal to the product of the Percentage Interest evidenced by this Certificate and the amount required to be distributed to Holders of Certificates of the Class to which this Certificate belongs on such Distribution Date pursuant to the Agreement. The Record Date for each Distribution Date is the last Business Day of the month immediately preceding the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. Distributions on this Certificate shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Holder hereof at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Certificateholder shall have so notified the Securities Administrator in writing at least five (5) Business Days prior to the related Record Date and such Certificateholder shall satisfy the conditions to receive such form of payment set forth in the Agreement, or, if not, by check mailed by first class mail to the address of such Certificateholder appearing in the Certificate Register. The final distribution on each Certificate will be made in like manner, but only upon presentment and surrender of such Certificate at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes or such other location specified in the notice to Certificateholders of such final distribution. The Agreement permits, with certain exceptions therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Trustee and the rights of the Certificateholders under the Agreement at any time by the Trustee and the other parties to the Agreement with the consent of the Holders of Certificates affected by such amendment evidencing the requisite Percentage Interest, as provided in the Agreement. Any such consent by the Holder of this Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on such Holder and upon all future B-6 Holders of this Certificate and of any Certificate issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this Certificate. The Agreement also permits the amendment thereof, in certain limited circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Certificates. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate Register of the Securities Administrator upon surrender of this Certificate for registration of transfer at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Securities Administrator duly executed by the holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest in the Trust Fund will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. The Certificates are issuable only as registered Certificates without coupons in denominations specified in the Agreement. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Certificates are exchangeable for new Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Securities Administrator may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. The Trustee, the Depositor and the Securities Administrator and any agent of the Trustee, the Depositor or the Securities Administrator may treat the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and none of the Trustee, the Depositor, the Securities Administrator, nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. On any Distribution Date on which the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans is less than or equal to 10% of the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance, the Person specified in Section 11.01 of the Agreement will have the option to effectuate the purchase, in whole, from the Trust Fund all remaining Mortgage Loans and all property acquired in respect of the Mortgage Loans at a purchase price determined and in the manner as provided in the Agreement. The obligations and responsibilities created by this Agreement will terminate as provided in Section 11.01 of the Agreement. Any term used herein that is defined in the Agreement shall have the meaning assigned in the Agreement, and nothing herein shall be deemed inconsistent with that meaning. B-7 ASSIGNMENT ---------- FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ (Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee) the Percentage Interest evidenced by the within Certificate and hereby authorizes the transfer of registration of such Percentage Interest to assignee on the Certificate Register of the Trust Fund. I (We) further direct the Securities Administrator to issue a new Certificate of a like denomination and Class, to the above named assignee and deliver such Certificate to the following address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Dated: ____________________________________________ Signature by or on behalf of assignor B-8 DISTRIBUTION INSTRUCTIONS ------------------------- The assignee should include the following for purposes of distribution: Distributions shall be made, by wire transfer or otherwise, in immediately available funds to_______________________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________, for the account of___________________________________________________________, account number ______, or, if mailed by check, to____________________________. Applicable statements should be mailed to____________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________. This information is provided by__________________________________, the assignee named above, or_________________________________________________, as its agent. B-9 EXHIBIT C FORM OF CLASS R, CLASS RC AND CLASS RX CERTIFICATE SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE IS A "RESIDUAL INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT," AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE"). NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE DELIVERS TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR A TRANSFER AFFIDAVIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN. NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE TRANSFEREE DELIVERS TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR A REPRESENTATION LETTER TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFEREE IS AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO MATERIALLY SIMILAR PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW ("SIMILAR LAW") OR A PERSON INVESTING ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF SUCH A PLAN, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL AS DESCRIBED IN THE AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT THAT SUCH REPRESENTATION IS VIOLATED, OR ANY ATTEMPT IS MADE TO TRANSFER TO A PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO SECTION 406 OF ERISA, A PLAN SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO SIMILAR LAW, OR A PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF ANY SUCH PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT OR USING THE ASSETS OF ANY SUCH PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT WITHOUT AN OPINION OF COUNSEL AS DESCRIBED IN THE AGREEMENT, SUCH ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OR ACQUISITION SHALL BE VOID AND OF NO EFFECT. Certificate No. : [R][RC][RX] Cut-off Date : April 1, 2006 First Distribution Date : May 25, 2006 Initial Certificate Balance of this Certificate ("Denomination") : $100 Initial Certificate Balance of all Certificates of this Class: : $100 CUSIP : ISIN : C-1 GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-8 Class [R] [RC][RX] evidencing a percentage interest in the distributions allocable to the Certificates of the above-referenced Class. Principal in respect of this Certificate is distributable monthly as set forth herein. Accordingly, the Certificate Balance at any time may be less than the Certificate Balance as set forth herein. This Certificate does not evidence an obligation of, or an interest in, and is not guaranteed by the Depositor, the Master Servicer, the Securities Administrator or the Trustee referred to below or any of their respective affiliates. Neither this Certificate nor the Mortgage Loans are guaranteed or insured by any governmental agency or instrumentality. This certifies that [____________] is the registered owner of the Percentage Interest specified above of any monthly distributions due to the Class [R][RC][RX] Certificates pursuant to a Master Servicing and Trust Agreement dated as of the Cut-off Date specified above (the "Agreement") among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee") and as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Master Servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer"), Securities Administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as a custodian and U.S. Bank National Association, as a custodian. To the extent not defined herein, the capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned in the Agreement. This Certificate is issued under and is subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement, to which Agreement the Holder of this Certificate by virtue of the acceptance hereof assents and by which such Holder is bound. Any distribution of the proceeds of any remaining assets of the Trust Fund will be made only upon presentment and surrender of this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes. No transfer of a Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate shall be made unless the Securities Administrator shall have received a representation letter from the transferee of such Certificate, acceptable to and in form and substance satisfactory to the Securities Administrator, to the effect that such transferee is not an employee benefit plan or arrangement subject to Section 406 of ERISA, a plan or arrangement subject to Section 4975 of the Code or a plan subject to Similar Law, or a person acting on behalf of any such plan or arrangement or using the assets of any such plan or arrangement to effect such transfer, which representation letter shall not be an expense of the Securities Administrator or the Trust Fund, or, alternatively, an opinion of counsel as described in the Agreement. In the event that such representation is violated, or any attempt is made to transfer to a plan or arrangement subject to Section 406 of ERISA or a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code or a plan subject to Similar Law, or a person acting on behalf of any such plan or arrangement or using the assets of any such plan or arrangement, without an opinion C-2 of counsel as described in the Agreement, such attempted transfer or acquisition shall be void and of no effect. Each Holder of this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate shall be deemed by the acceptance or acquisition an Ownership Interest in this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate to have agreed to be bound by the following provisions, and the rights of each Person acquiring any Ownership Interest in this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate are expressly subject to the following provisions: (i) each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in this Class [R][RC][RX] 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, (ii) no Ownership Interest in this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate may be registered on the Closing Date or thereafter transferred, and the Securities Administrator shall not register the Transfer of this Certificate unless, in addition to the certificates required to be delivered to the Securities Administrator under Section 5.02(b) of the Agreement, the Securities Administrator shall have been furnished with a Transfer Affidavit of the initial owner or the proposed transferee in the form attached as Exhibit G to the Agreement, (iii) each Person holding or acquiring any Ownership Interest in this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate shall agree (A) to obtain a Transfer Affidavit from any other Person to whom such Person attempts to Transfer its Ownership Interest this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate, (B) to obtain a Transfer Affidavit from any Person for whom such Person is acting as nominee, trustee or agent in connection with any Transfer of this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate, (C) not to cause income with respect to the Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate to be attributable to a foreign permanent establishment or fixed base, within the meaning of an applicable income tax treaty, of such Person or any other U.S. Person and (D) not to Transfer the Ownership Interest in this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate or to cause the Transfer of the Ownership Interest in this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate to any other Person if it has actual knowledge that such Person is not a Permitted Transferee and (iv) any attempted or purported Transfer of the Ownership Interest in this Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate in violation of the provisions herein shall be absolutely null and void and shall vest no rights in the purported Transferee. Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. This Certificate shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Agreement or be valid for any purpose unless manually authenticated by an authorized signatory of the Securities Administrator. C-3 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Securities Administrator has caused this Certificate to be duly executed. Dated: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but solely as Securities Administrator By:__________________________________ Authenticated: By:_____________________ Authorized Signatory of WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but solely as Securities Administrator C-4 GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates This Certificate is one of a duly authorized issue of Certificates designated as GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates, of the Series specified on the face hereof (herein collectively called the "Certificates"), and representing a beneficial ownership interest in the Trust Fund created by the Agreement. The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that it will look solely to the funds on deposit in the Distribution Account for payment hereunder and that the Trustee is not liable to the Certificateholders for any amount payable under this Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the Agreement, subject to any liability under the Agreement. This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference is made to the Agreement for the interests, rights and limitations of rights, benefits, obligations and duties evidenced thereby, and the rights, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the other parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, a distribution will be made on the 25th day of each month or, if such day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately following (the "Distribution Date"), commencing on the first Distribution Date specified on the face hereof, to the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on the applicable Record Date in an amount equal to the product of the Percentage Interest evidenced by this Certificate and the amount required to be distributed to Holders of Certificates of the Class to which this Certificate belongs on such Distribution Date pursuant to the Agreement. The Record Date for each Distribution Date is the last Business Day of the month immediately preceding the month in which such Distribution Date occurs. Distributions on this Certificate shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Holder hereof at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Certificateholder shall have so notified the Securities Administrator in writing at least five (5) Business Days prior to the related Record Date and such Certificateholder shall satisfy the conditions to receive such form of payment set forth in the Agreement, or, if not, by check mailed by first class mail to the address of such Certificateholder appearing in the Certificate Register. The final distribution on each Certificate will be made in like manner, but only upon presentment and surrender of such Certificate at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes, or such other location specified in the notice to Certificateholders of such final distribution. The Agreement permits, with certain exceptions therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Trustee and the rights of the Certificateholders under the Agreement at any time by the Depositor, the Trustee and the other parties to the Agreement with the consent of the Holders of Certificates affected by such amendment evidencing the requisite Percentage Interest, as provided in the Agreement. Any such consent by the Holder of this Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on such Holder C-5 and upon all future Holders of this Certificate and of any Certificate issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this Certificate. The Agreement also permits the amendment thereof, in certain limited circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Certificates. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate Register of the Securities Administrator upon surrender of this Certificate for registration of transfer at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Securities Administrator duly executed by the holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest in the Trust Fund will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. The Certificates are issuable only as registered Certificates without coupons in denominations specified in the Agreement. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Certificates are exchangeable for new Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Securities Administrator may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. The Trustee, the Depositor, the Securities Administrator and any agent of the Trustee, the Depositor or the Securities Administrator may treat the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and none of the Depositor, the Trustee or Securities Administrator, nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. On any Distribution Date on which the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans is less than or equal to 10% of the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance, the Person specified in Section 11.01 of the Agreement will have the option to effectuate the purchase, in whole, from the Trust Fund all remaining Mortgage Loans and all property acquired in respect of the Mortgage Loans at a purchase price determined and in the manner as provided in the Agreement. The obligations and responsibilities created by this Agreement will terminate as provided in Section 11.01 of the Agreement. Any term used herein that is defined in the Agreement shall have the meaning assigned in the Agreement, and nothing herein shall be deemed inconsistent with that meaning. C-6 ASSIGNMENT ---------- FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ (Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee) the Percentage Interest evidenced by the within Certificate and hereby authorizes the transfer of registration of such Percentage Interest to assignee on the Certificate Register of the Trust Fund. I (We) further direct the Securities Administrator to issue a new Certificate of a like denomination and Class, to the above named assignee and deliver such Certificate to the following address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Dated: ____________________________________________ Signature by or on behalf of assignor C-7 DISTRIBUTION INSTRUCTIONS ------------------------- The assignee should include the following for purposes of distribution: Distributions shall be made, by wire transfer or otherwise, in immediately available funds to_______________________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________, for the account of___________________________________________________________, account number ______, or, if mailed by check, to____________________________. Applicable statements should be mailed to____________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________. This information is provided by__________________________________, the assignee named above, or_________________________________________________, as its agent. C-8 EXHIBIT D FORM OF CLASS X CERTIFICATE SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES, THIS CERTIFICATE REPRESENTS A "REGULAR INTEREST" IN A "REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE INVESTMENT CONDUIT," AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED, RESPECTIVELY, IN SECTIONS 860G AND 860D OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE") AND CERTAIN OTHER ASSETS NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE PROPOSED TRANSFEROR DELIVERS TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR A TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE (THE "TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE") IN THE FORM OF EXHIBIT H TO THE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN AND EITHER (I) THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVES A RULE 144A LETTER (THE "RULE 144A LETTER") IN THE FORM OF EXHIBIT I TO THE AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN OR (II) THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, DELIVERED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TRANSFEROR, THAT SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE MADE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. NEITHER THIS CERTIFICATE NOR ANY INTEREST HEREIN MAY BE TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE TRANSFEREE DELIVERS TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR EITHER A REPRESENTATION LETTER TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFEREE IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED ("ERISA"), OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, OR A PLAN SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW ("SIMILAR LAW") MATERIALLY SIMILAR TO THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE OR A PERSON INVESTING ON BEHALF OF OR WITH PLAN ASSETS OF SUCH A PLAN, OR IF THE TRANSFEREE IS AN INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN ERISA-QUALIFYING UNDERWRITING, A REPRESENTATION LETTER THAT IT IS USING THE ASSETS OF ITS GENERAL ACCOUNT AND THAT THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS CERTIFICATE SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF UNDER SECTIONS I AND III OF PROHIBITED TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 95-60, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE, THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AND THE DEPOSITOR, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS CERTIFICATE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ERISA, SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR ANY SIMILAR LAW AND WILL NOT SUBJECT THE TRUSTEE, THE MASTER SERVICER, THE DEPOSITOR OR THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR TO ANY OBLIGATION IN ADDITION TO THOSE EXPRESSLY UNDERTAKEN IN THIS AGREEMENT OR TO ANY LIABILITY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING ELSE TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, ANY PURPORTED TRANSFER OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO OR ON BEHALF OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, D-1 SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR SIMILAR LAW WITHOUT THE REPRESENTATION LETTER OR OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE SECURITIES ADMINISTRATOR AS DESCRIBED ABOVE SHALL BE VOID AND OF NO EFFECT. Certificate No. : X-1 Cut-off Date : April 1, 2006 First Distribution Date : May 25, 2006 Percentage Interest of this Certificate ("Denomination") : 100% CUSIP : ISIN : D-2 GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-8 Class X evidencing a percentage interest in the distributions allocable to the Certificates of the above-referenced Class. Distributions in respect of this Certificate are distributable monthly as set forth herein. This Certificate does not evidence an obligation of, or an interest in, and is not guaranteed by the Depositor the Master Servicer, to Securities Administrator or the Trustee referred to below or any of their respective affiliates. Neither this Certificate nor the Mortgage Loans are guaranteed or insured by any governmental agency or instrumentality. This certifies that [_______________________] is the registered owner of the Percentage Interest evidenced by this Certificate (obtained by dividing the denomination of this Certificate by the aggregate of the denominations of all Certificates of the Class to which this Certificate belongs) in certain monthly distributions pursuant to a Master Servicing and Trust Agreement dated as of the Cut-off Date specified above (the "Agreement") among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee") and as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Master Servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer"), Securities Administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as a custodian and U.S. Bank National Association, as a custodian. To the extent not defined herein, the capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned in the Agreement. This Certificate is issued under and is subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement, to which Agreement the Holder of this Certificate by virtue of the acceptance hereof assents and by which such Holder is bound. This Certificate does not have a Pass-Through Rate and will be entitled to distributions only to the extent set forth in the Agreement. In addition, any distribution of the proceeds of any remaining assets of the Trust will be made only upon presentment and surrender of this Certificate at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes or the office or agency maintained by the Securities Administrator. No transfer of a Certificate of this Class shall be made unless such disposition is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and any applicable state securities laws or is made in accordance with the 1933 Act and such laws. In the event of any such transfer, the Securities Administrator shall require the transferor to execute a transferor certificate (in substantially the form attached to the Agreement) and deliver either (i) a Rule 144A Letter (in substantially the form attached to the Agreement), or (ii) a written Opinion of Counsel to the Securities Administrator that such transfer may be made pursuant to an exemption, describing the applicable exemption and the basis therefor, from the 1933 Act or is being made pursuant to the 1933 Act, which Opinion of Counsel shall be an D-3 expense of the transferor. No transfer of a Certificate of this Class shall be made unless the Securities Administrator shall have received either (i) a representation letter from the transferee of such Certificate, acceptable to and in form and substance satisfactory to the Securities Administrator, to the effect that such transferee is not an employee benefit plan subject to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or any materially similar provisions of applicable federal, state or local law ("Similar Law") or a person acting on behalf of or investing plan assets of any such plan, which representation letter shall not be an expense of the Securities Administrator, or (ii) if the transferee is an insurance company and the certificate has been the subject of an ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting, a representation letter that it is purchasing such Certificates with the assets of its general account and that the purchase and holding of such Certificates satisfy the requirements for exemptive relief under Sections I and III of PTCE 95-60, or (iii) in the case of a Certificate presented for registration in the name of an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA, or a plan or arrangement subject to Section 4975 of the Code (or comparable provisions of any subsequent enactments) or a plan subject to Similar Law, or a trustee of any such plan or any other person acting on behalf of any such plan or arrangement or using such plan's or arrangement's assets, an Opinion of Counsel satisfactory to the Securities Administrator, which Opinion of Counsel shall not be an expense of the Securities Administrator, the Depositor, the Trustee or the Trust Fund, addressed to the Securities Administrator, the Trustee and the Depositor to the effect that the purchase and holding of such Certificate will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction within the meaning of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any Similar Law and will not subject the Trustee to any obligation in addition to those expressly undertaken in this Agreement or to any liability. Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. This Certificate shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Agreement or be valid for any purpose unless manually authenticated by an authorized signatory of the Securities Administrator. * * * D-4 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Securities Administrator has caused this Certificate to be duly executed. Dated: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but solely as Securities Administrator By:_________________________________ Authenticated: By:________________________________ Authorized Signatory of WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., not in its individual capacity, but solely as Securities Administrator D-5 GS MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP. GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates This Certificate is one of a duly authorized issue of Certificates designated as GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 Asset-Backed Certificates, of the Series specified on the face hereof (herein collectively called the "Certificates"), and representing a beneficial ownership interest in the Trust Fund created by the Agreement. The Certificateholder, by its acceptance of this Certificate, agrees that it will look solely to the funds on deposit in the Distribution Account for payment hereunder and that the Trustee is not liable to the Certificateholders for any amount payable under this Certificate or the Agreement or, except as expressly provided in the Agreement, subject to any liability under the Agreement. This Certificate does not purport to summarize the Agreement and reference is made to the Agreement for the interests, rights and limitations of rights, benefits, obligations and duties evidenced thereby, and the rights, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the other parties to the Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, a distribution will be made on the 25th day of each month or, if such 25th day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately following (the "Distribution Date"), commencing on the first Distribution Date specified on the face hereof, to the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on the applicable Record Date in an amount equal to the product of the Percentage Interest evidenced by this Certificate and the amount required to be distributed to Holders of Certificates of the Class to which this Certificate belongs on such Distribution Date pursuant to the Agreement. The Record Date for each Distribution Date is the last Business Day of the month immediately preceding the month of such Distribution Date. Distributions on this Certificate shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Holder hereof at a bank or other entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Certificateholder shall have so notified the Securities Administrator in writing at least five (5) Business Days prior to the related Record Date and such Certificateholder shall satisfy the conditions to receive such form of payment set forth in the Agreement, or, if not, by check mailed by first class mail to the address of such Certificateholder appearing in the Certificate Register. The final distribution on each Certificate will be made in like manner, but only upon presentment and surrender of such Certificate at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes or such other location specified in the notice to Certificateholders of such final distribution. The Agreement permits, with certain exceptions therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Trustee and the rights of the Certificateholders under the Agreement at any time by the Trustee and the other parties to the Agreement with the consent of the Holders of Certificates affected by such amendment evidencing the requisite Percentage Interest, as provided in the Agreement. Any such consent by D-6 the Holder of this Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Certificate and of any Certificate issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this Certificate. The Agreement also permits the amendment thereof, in certain limited circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Certificates. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the Certificate Register of the Securities Administrator upon surrender of this Certificate for registration of transfer at the office designated by the Securities Administrator for such purposes, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Securities Administrator duly executed by the holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest in the Trust Fund will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. The Certificates are issuable only as registered Certificates without coupons in denominations specified in the Agreement. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Certificates are exchangeable for new Certificates of the same Class in authorized denominations and evidencing the same aggregate Percentage Interest, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Securities Administrator may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. The Trustee, the Depositor and the Securities Administrator and any agent of the Trustee, the Depositor or the Securities Administrator may treat the Person in whose name this Certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and none of the Trustee, the Depositor, the Securities Administrator, nor any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. On any Distribution Date on which the aggregate Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans is less than or equal to 10% of the Cut-off Date Pool Principal Balance, the Person or Persons specified in Section 11.01 of the Agreement will have the option to effectuate the purchase, in whole, from the Trust Fund all remaining Mortgage Loans and all property acquired in respect of the Mortgage Loans at a purchase price determined and in the manner as provided in the Agreement. The obligations and responsibilities created by this Agreement will terminate as provided in Section 11.01 of the Agreement. Any term used herein that is defined in the Agreement shall have the meaning assigned in the Agreement, and nothing herein shall be deemed inconsistent with that meaning. D-7 ASSIGNMENT ---------- FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ (Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee) the Percentage Interest evidenced by the within Certificate and hereby authorizes the transfer of registration of such Percentage Interest to assignee on the Certificate Register of the Trust Fund. I (We) further direct the Securities Administrator to issue a new Certificate of a like denomination and Class, to the above named assignee and deliver such Certificate to the following address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Dated: ____________________________________________ Signature by or on behalf of assignor D-8 DISTRIBUTION INSTRUCTIONS ------------------------- The assignee should include the following for purposes of distribution: Distributions shall be made, by wire transfer or otherwise, in immediately available funds to_______________________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________, for the account of___________________________________________________________, account number ______, or, if mailed by check, to____________________________. Applicable statements should be mailed to____________________________________, _____________________________________________________________________________. This information is provided by__________________________________, the assignee named above, or_________________________________________________, as its agent. D-9 EXHIBIT E FORM OF INITIAL CERTIFICATION OF CUSTODIAN [date] [Depositor] [Trustee] --------------------- --------------------- Re: Master Servicing and Trust Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2006 (the "Agreement"), among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, each as a custodian, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") and securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") Ladies and Gentlemen: In accordance with Section 2.02 of the above-captioned Master Servicing and Trust Agreement (the "Trust Agreement"), the undersigned, as Custodian, for each Mortgage Loan listed in the Mortgage Loan Schedule for which the undersigned is specified as the Custodian (other than any Mortgage Loan listed in the attached exception report), it has received: (i) the original Mortgage Note, endorsed as provided in the following form: "Pay to the order of ________, without recourse"; and (ii) except with respect to a MERS Loan, an executed Assignment of Mortgage (which may be included in a blanket assignment or assignments). Based on its review and examination and only as to the foregoing documents, such documents appear regular on their face and related to such Mortgage Loan. The Custodian has made no independent examination of any documents contained in each Mortgage File beyond the review specifically required in the Trust Agreement. The Custodian makes no representations as to: (i) the validity, legality, sufficiency, enforceability, recordability or genuineness of any of the documents contained in each Mortgage File of any of the Mortgage Loans identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule, or (ii) the collectability, insurability, effectiveness or suitability of any such Mortgage Loan or the perfection or priority of any Mortgage. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Custodian has made no determination and makes no representations as to whether (i) any endorsement is sufficient to E-1 transfer all right, title and interest of the party so endorsing, as noteholder or assignee thereof, in and to that Mortgage Note or (ii) any assignment is in recordable form or sufficient to effect the assignment of and transfer to the assignee thereof, under the Mortgage to which the assignment relates. Capitalized words and phrases used herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Trust Agreement. [DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY][JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION][U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION][WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.], not in its individual capacity, but solely as Custodian By:_________________________________ Name:_______________________________ Title:________________________________ E-2 EXHIBIT F FORM OF DOCUMENT CERTIFICATION AND EXCEPTION REPORT OF CUSTODIAN [date] [Depositor] [Trustee] --------------------- --------------------- Re: Master Servicing and Trust Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2006 (the "Agreement"), among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, each as a custodian, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") and securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") Ladies and Gentlemen: In accordance with Section 2.02 of the above-captioned Master Servicing and Trust Agreement (the "Trust Agreement"), the undersigned, as Custodian, hereby certifies, subject to any exceptions listed on the exception report attached hereto, that as to each Mortgage Loan listed in the Mortgage Loan Schedule for which the undersigned is specified as the Custodian (other than any Mortgage Loan paid in full or listed on the attached exception report) it has received: (a) the original Mortgage Note, endorsed without recourse in blank by the last endorsee, including all intervening endorsements showing a complete chain of endorsement from the originator to the last endorsee; (b) the original Assignment of Mortgage in blank, unless the Mortgage Loan is a MERS Loan; (c) personal endorsement and/or guaranty agreements executed in connection with all non individual Mortgage Loans (corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates, etc. (if provided); (d) the related original Mortgage and evidence of its recording or a certified copy of the Mortgage with evidence of recording thereof; F-1 (e) except with respect to a MERS Loan, originals of any intervening Mortgage assignment or certified copies in either case evidencing recording; provided that the assignment may be in the form of a blanket assignment or assignments, a copy of which with evidence of recording shall be acceptable; (f) if provided, originals of all assumption, modification, agreements or certified copies thereof, in either case with evidence of recording if required to maintain the lien of the mortgage or if otherwise required, or, if recordation is not required, an original or copy of the agreement; (g) an original or copy of a title insurance policy, a certificate of title, or attorney's opinion of title and abstract of title; (h) to the extent applicable, (1) an original power of attorney, or a certified copy thereof, in either case with evidence of recordation if the document to which such power of attorney relates is recorded, and (2) if provided, an original or copy of any surety agreement or guaranty agreement; (i) for each Mortgage Loan with respect to which the Mortgagor's name as it appears on the note does not match the borrower's name on the Mortgage Loan Schedule, one of the following: the original of the assumption agreement or a certified copy thereof, in either case with evidence of recording thereon; (j) a security agreement, chattel mortgage or equivalent document executed in connection with the mortgage, if provided. Based on its review and examination and only as to the foregoing documents, (a) such documents appear regular on their face and related to such Mortgage Loan, and (b) the information set forth in items 2, 8, 33 and 34 of the Mortgage Loan Schedule accurately reflects information set forth in the Custodial File. The Custodian has made no independent examination of any documents contained in each Mortgage File beyond the review of the Custodial File specifically required in the Trust Agreement. The Custodian makes no representations as to: (i) the validity, legality, sufficiency, enforceability or genuineness of any of the documents contained in each Mortgage File of any of the Mortgage Loans identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule, or (ii) the collectability, insurability, effectiveness or suitability of any such Mortgage Loan or the perfection or priority of any Mortgage. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Custodian has made no determination and makes no representations as to whether (i) any endorsement is sufficient to transfer all right, title and interest of the party so endorsing, as noteholder or assignee thereof, in and to that Mortgage Note or (ii) any assignment is in recordable form or sufficient to effect the assignment of and transfer to the assignee thereof, under the Mortgage to which the assignment relates. Capitalized words and phrases used herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Trust Agreement. F-2 [DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY], [JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION][U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION][WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.] not in its individual capacity, but solely as Custodian By:_________________________________ Name:_______________________________ Title:________________________________ F-3 EXHIBIT G FORM OF RESIDUAL TRANSFER AFFIDAVIT GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-8 STATE OF ) ) ss.: COUNTY OF ) The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says as follows: 1. The undersigned is an officer of ___________________, the proposed Transferee of an Ownership Interest in a Class [R][RC][RX] Certificate (the "Certificate") issued pursuant to the Master Servicing and Trust Agreement (the "Agreement"), among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee") and as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Master Servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer"), Securities Administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") and as a custodian, U.S. Bank National Association, as a custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as a custodian and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as a custodian. Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement. The Transferee has authorized the undersigned to make this affidavit on behalf of the Transferee for the benefit of the Depositor, the Securities Administrator and the Trustee. 2. The Transferee is, as of the date hereof, and will be, as of the date of the Transfer, a Permitted Transferee. The Transferee is acquiring its Ownership Interest in the Certificate for its own account. The Transferee has no knowledge that any such affidavit is false. 3. The Transferee has been advised of, and understands that (i) a tax will be imposed on Transfers of the Certificate to Persons that are not Permitted Transferees; (ii) such tax will be imposed on the transferor, or, if such Transfer is through an agent (which includes a broker, nominee or middleman) for a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee, on the agent; and (iii) the Person otherwise liable for the tax shall be relieved of liability for the tax if the subsequent Transferee furnished to such Person an affidavit that such subsequent Transferee is a Permitted Transferee and, at the time of Transfer, such Person does not have actual knowledge that the affidavit is false. 4. The Transferee has been advised of, and understands that a tax will be imposed on a "pass-through entity" holding the Certificate if at any time during the taxable year of the pass through entity a Person that is not a Permitted Transferee is the record holder of an interest in such entity. The Transferee understands that such tax will not be imposed for any period with respect to which the record holder furnishes to the pass through entity an affidavit that such record holder is a Permitted Transferee and the pass through entity does not have actual knowledge that such affidavit is false. (For this purpose, a "pass through entity" includes a regulated investment company, a real estate investment trust or common trust fund, a G-1 partnership, trust or estate, and certain cooperatives and, except as may be provided in Treasury Regulations, persons holding interests in pass through entities as a nominee for another Person.) 5. The Transferee has reviewed the provisions of Section 5.02(c) of the Agreement and understands the legal consequences of the acquisition of an Ownership Interest in the Certificate including, without limitation, the restrictions on subsequent Transfers and the provisions regarding voiding the Transfer and mandatory sales. The Transferee expressly agrees to be bound by and to abide by the provisions of Section 5.02(c) of the Agreement and the restrictions noted on the face of the Certificate. The Transferee understands and agrees that any breach of any of the representations included herein shall render the Transfer to the Transferee contemplated hereby null and void. 6. The Transferee agrees to require a Transfer Affidavit from any Person to whom the Transferee attempts to Transfer its Ownership Interest in the Certificate, and in connection with any Transfer by a Person for whom the Transferee is acting as nominee, trustee or agent, and the Transferee will not Transfer its Ownership Interest or cause any Ownership Interest to be Transferred to any Person that the Transferee knows is not a Permitted Transferee. In connection with any such Transfer by the Transferee, the Transferee agrees to deliver to the Securities Administrator a certificate substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit H to the Agreement (a "Transferor Certificate") to the effect that such Transferee has no actual knowledge that the Person to which the Transfer is to be made is not a Permitted Transferee. 7. The Transferee has historically paid its debts as they have come due, intends to pay its debts as they come due in the future, and understands that the taxes payable with respect to the Certificate may exceed the cash flow with respect thereto in some or all periods and intends to pay such taxes as they become due. The Transferee does not have the intention to impede the assessment or collection of any tax legally required to be paid with respect to the Certificate. 8. The Transferee's taxpayer identification number is ----------. 9. The Transferee is a U.S. Person as defined in Code Section 7701(a)(30). 10. The Transferee is aware that the Certificate may be a "noneconomic residual interest" within the meaning of proposed Treasury regulations promulgated pursuant to the Code and that the transferor of a noneconomic residual interest will remain liable for any taxes due with respect to the income on such residual interest, unless no significant purpose of the transfer was to impede the assessment or collection of tax. 11. The Transferee will not cause income from the Certificate to be attributable to a foreign permanent establishment or fixed base, within the meaning of an applicable income tax treaty, of the Transferee or any other U.S. person. 12. Check one of the following: |_| The present value of the anticipated tax liabilities associated with holding the Certificate, as applicable, does not exceed the sum of: G-2 (i) the present value of any consideration given to the Transferee to acquire such Certificate; (ii) the present value of the expected future distributions on such Certificate; and (iii) the present value of the anticipated tax savings associated with holding such Certificate as the related REMIC generates losses. For purposes of this calculation, (i) the Transferee is assumed to pay tax at the highest rate currently specified in Section 11(b) of the Code (but the tax rate in Section 55(b)(1)(B) of the Code may be used in lieu of the highest rate specified in Section 11(b) of the Code if the Transferee has been subject to the alternative minimum tax under Section 55 of the Code in the preceding two years and will compute its taxable income in the current taxable year using the alternative minimum tax rate) and (ii) present values are computed using a discount rate equal to the short-term Federal rate prescribed by Section 1274(d) of the Code for the month of the transfer and the compounding period used by the Transferee. |_| The transfer of the Certificate complies with U.S. Treasury Regulations Sections 1.860E-1(c)(5) and (6) and, accordingly, (i) the Transferee is an "eligible corporation," as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.860E-1(c)(6)(i), as to which income from the Certificate will only be taxed in the United States; (ii) at the time of the transfer, and at the close of the Transferee's two fiscal years preceding the year of the transfer, the Transferee had gross assets for financial reporting purposes (excluding any obligation of a person related to the Transferee within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.860E-1(c)(6)(ii)) in excess of $100 million and net assets in excess of $10 million; (iii) the Transferee will transfer the Certificate only to another "eligible corporation," as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.860E-1(c)(6)(i), in a transaction that satisfies the requirements of Sections 1.860E-1(c)(4)(i), (ii) and (iii) and Section 1.860E-1(c)(5) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations; and (iv) the Transferee determined the consideration paid to it to acquire the Certificate based on reasonable market assumptions (including, but not limited to, borrowing and investment rates, prepayment and loss assumptions, expense and reinvestment assumptions, tax rates and other factors specific to the Transferee) that it has determined in good faith. |_| None of the above. 13. The Transferee is not an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of ERISA or a plan that is subject to Section 4975 of the Code or a plan subject to any federal, state or local law that is substantially similar to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and the Transferee is not acting on behalf of or investing plan assets of such a plan. G-3 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Transferee has caused this instrument to be executed on its behalf, pursuant to authority of its Board of Directors, by its duly authorized officer and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed, duly attested, this ____ day of _______, 20__. _________________________________ Print Name of Transferee By:______________________________ Name: Title: [Corporate Seal] ATTEST: ____________________________ [Assistant] Secretary Personally appeared before me the above-named __________, known or proved to me to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument and to be the ___________ of the Transferee, and acknowledged that he executed the same as his free act and deed and the free act and deed of the Transferee. Subscribed and sworn before me this ____ day of ________, 20__. ____________________________ NOTARY PUBLIC My Commission expires the __ day of _________, 20__ G-4 EXHIBIT H FORM OF TRANSFEROR CERTIFICATE __________, 20__ GS Mortgage Securities Corp. 85 Broad Street New York, New York 10004 Attention: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479 Re: GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8, Asset-Backed Certificates Series 2006-8, Class [___] -------------------------------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: In connection with our disposition of the above Certificates we certify that (a) we understand that the Certificates have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and are being disposed by us in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act, (b) we have not offered or sold any Certificates to, or solicited offers to buy any Certificates from, any person, or otherwise approached or negotiated with any person with respect thereto, in a manner that would be deemed, or taken any other action which would result in, a violation of Section 5 of the Act and (c) to the extent we are disposing of a Residual Certificate, (A) we have no knowledge the Transferee is not a Permitted Transferee and (B) after conducting a reasonable investigation of the financial condition of the Transferee, we have no knowledge and no reason to believe that the Transferee will not pay all taxes with respect to the Residual Certificates as they become due and (C) we have no reason to believe that the statements made in paragraphs 7, 10 and 11 of the Transferee's Residual Transfer Affidavit are false. Very truly yours, __________________________________ Print Name of Transferor By:_______________________________ Authorized Officer H-1 EXHIBIT I FORM OF RULE 144A LETTER ____________, 20__ GS Mortgage Securities Corp. 85 Broad Street New York, New York 10004 Attention: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479 Re: GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-8, Class [__] --------------------------------------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: In connection with our acquisition of the above Certificates we certify that (a) we understand that the Certificates are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or any state securities laws and are being transferred to us in a transaction that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act and any such laws, (b) we have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that we are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investments in the Certificates, (c) we have had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the Depositor concerning the purchase of the Certificates and all matters relating thereto or any additional information deemed necessary to our decision to purchase the Certificates, (d) either we are purchasing a Class 1A1, Class 2A1, Class 2A2, Class 2A3A, Class 2A3B, Class M-1, Class M-2, Class M-3, Class M-4, Class M-5, Class B-1, Class B-2 or a Class B-3 Certificate, or we are not an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or a plan or arrangement that is subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or a plan subject to any federal, state or local law materially similar to the foregoing provisions of ERISA or the Code, nor are we acting on behalf of any such plan or arrangement or using the assets of any such plan or arrangement to effect such acquisition, or, with respect to a Class B-3, Class X Certificate or Class P Certificate that has been the subject of an ERISA-Qualifying Underwriting, the purchaser is an insurance company that is purchasing this certificate with funds contained in an "insurance company general account" (as such term is defined in Section V(e) of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60 ("PTCE 95-60")) and the purchase and holding of such Certificates satisfy the requirements for exemptive relief under Sections I and III of PTCE 95-60, (e) we have not, nor has anyone acting on our behalf offered, transferred, pledged, sold or otherwise disposed of the Certificates, any interest in the Certificates or any other similar I-1 security to, or solicited any offer to buy or accept a transfer, pledge or other disposition of the Certificates, any interest in the Certificates or any other similar security from, or otherwise approached or negotiated with respect to the Certificates, any interest in the Certificates or any other similar security with, any person in any manner, or made any general solicitation by means of general advertising or in any other manner, or taken any other action, that would constitute a distribution of the Certificates under the Securities Act or that would render the disposition of the Certificates a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act or require registration pursuant thereto, nor will act, nor has authorized or will authorize any person to act, in such manner with respect to the Certificates and (f) we are a "qualified institutional buyer" as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and have completed either of the forms of certification to that effect attached hereto as Annex 1 or Annex 2. We are aware that the sale to us is being made in reliance on Rule 144A. We are acquiring the Certificates for our own account or for resale pursuant to Rule 144A and further, understand that such Certificates may be resold, pledged or transferred only (i) to a person reasonably believed to be a qualified institutional buyer that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, or (ii) pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act. I-2 ANNEX 1 TO EXHIBIT I QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS UNDER SEC RULE 144A -------------------------------------------------------- [For Transferees Other Than Registered Investment Companies] The undersigned (the "Buyer") hereby certifies as follows to the parties listed in the Rule 144A Transferee Certificate to which this certification relates with respect to the Certificates described therein: 1. As indicated below, the undersigned is the President, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President or other executive officer of the Buyer. 2. In connection with purchases by the Buyer, the Buyer is a "qualified institutional buyer" as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Rule 144A"), because (i) the Buyer owned and/or invested on a discretionary basis $___________(1) in securities (except for the excluded securities referred to below) as of the end of the Buyer's most recent fiscal year (such amount being calculated in accordance with Rule 144A and (ii) the Buyer satisfies the criteria in the category marked below. ____ Corporation, etc. The Buyer is a corporation (other than a bank, savings and loan association or similar institution), Massachusetts or similar business trust, partnership, or charitable organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. ____ Bank. The Buyer (a) is a national bank or banking institution organized under the laws of any State, territory or the District of Columbia, the business of which is substantially confined to banking and is supervised by the State or territorial banking commission or similar official or is a foreign bank or equivalent institution, and (b) has an audited net worth of at least $25,000,000 as demonstrated in its latest annual financial statements, a copy of which is attached hereto. ____ Savings and Loan. The Buyer (a) is a savings and loan association, building and loan association, cooperative bank, homestead association or similar institution, which is supervised and examined by a State or Federal authority having supervision over any such institutions or is a foreign savings and loan association or equivalent institution and (b) has an audited net worth of at least $25,000,000 as demonstrated in its latest annual financial statements, a copy of which is attached hereto. ____ Broker-dealer. The Buyer is a dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ____ Insurance Company. The Buyer is an insurance company whose primary and predominant business activity is the writing of insurance or the reinsuring of risks underwritten by insurance companies and which is subject to supervision by the insurance commissioner or a similar official or agency of a State, territory or the District of Columbia. ----------------- (1) Buyer must own and/or invest on a discretionary basis at least $100,000,000 in securities unless Buyer is a dealer, and, in that case, Buyer must own and/or invest on a discretionary basis at least $10,000,000 in securities. I-3 ____ State or Local Plan. The Buyer is a plan established and maintained by a State, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of the State or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees. ____ ERISA Plan. The Buyer is an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. ____ Investment Advisor. The Buyer is an investment advisor registered under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. ____ Small Business Investment Company. Buyer is a small business investment company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. ____ Business Development Company. Buyer is a business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. 3. The term "securities" as used herein does not include (i) securities of issuers that are affiliated with the Buyer, (ii) securities that are part of an unsold allotment to or subscription by the Buyer, if the Buyer is a dealer, (iii) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. or any instrumentality thereof, (iv) bank deposit notes and certificates of deposit, (v) loan participations, (vi) repurchase agreements, (vii) securities owned but subject to a repurchase agreement and (viii) currency, interest rate and commodity swaps. 4. For purposes of determining the aggregate amount of securities owned and/or invested on a discretionary basis by the Buyer, the Buyer used the cost of such securities to the Buyer and did not include any of the securities referred to in the preceding paragraph, except (i) where the Buyer reports its securities holdings in its financial statements on the basis of their market value, and (ii) no current information with respect to the cost of those securities has been published. If clause (ii) in the preceding sentence applies, the securities may be valued at market. Further, in determining such aggregate amount, the Buyer may have included securities owned by subsidiaries of the Buyer, but only if such subsidiaries are consolidated with the Buyer in its financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and if the investments of such subsidiaries are managed under the Buyer's direction. However, such securities were not included if the Buyer is a majority-owned, consolidated subsidiary of another enterprise and the Buyer is not itself a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 5. The Buyer acknowledges that it is familiar with Rule 144A and understands that the seller to it and other parties related to the Certificates are relying and will continue to rely on the statements made herein because one or more sales to the Buyer may be in reliance on Rule 144A. 6. Until the date of purchase of the Rule 144A Securities, the Buyer will notify each of the parties to which this certification is made of any changes in the information and conclusions herein. Until such notice is given, the Buyer's purchase of the Certificates will constitute a reaffirmation of this certification as of the date of such purchase. In addition, if the Buyer is a bank or savings and loan is provided above, the Buyer agrees that it will furnish to such parties updated annual financial statements promptly after they become available. I-4 ______________________________ Print Name of Transferee By:___________________________ Name: Title: Date:_________________________ I-5 ANNEX 2 TO EXHIBIT I QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS UNDER SEC RULE 144A -------------------------------------------------------- [For Transferees That are Registered Investment Companies] The undersigned (the "Buyer") hereby certifies as follows to the parties listed in the Rule 144A Transferee Certificate to which this certification relates with respect to the Certificates described therein: 1. As indicated below, the undersigned is the President, Chief Financial Officer or Senior Vice President of the Buyer or, if the Buyer is a "qualified institutional buyer" as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Rule 144A"), because Buyer is part of a Family of Investment Companies (as defined below), is such an officer of the Adviser. 2. In connection with purchases by Buyer, the Buyer is a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in SEC Rule 144A because (i) the Buyer is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and (ii) as marked below, the Buyer alone, or the Buyer's Family of Investment Companies, owned at least $100,000,000 in securities (other than the excluded securities referred to below) as of the end of the Buyer's most recent fiscal year. For purposes of determining the amount of securities owned by the Buyer or the Buyer's Family of Investment Companies, the cost of such securities was used, except (i) where the Buyer or the Buyer's Family of Investment Companies reports its securities holdings in its financial statements on the basis of their market value, and (ii) no current information with respect to the cost of those securities has been published. If clause (ii) in the preceding sentence applies, the securities may be valued at market. ____ The Buyer owned $___________ in securities (other than the excluded securities referred to below) as of the end of the Buyer's most recent fiscal year (such amount being calculated in accordance with Rule 144A). ____ The Buyer is part of a Family of Investment Companies which owned in the aggregate $__________ in securities (other than the excluded securities referred to below) as of the end of the Buyer's most recent fiscal year (such amount being calculated in accordance with Rule 144A). 3. The term "Family of Investment Companies" as used herein means two or more registered investment companies (or series thereof) that have the same investment adviser or investment advisers that are affiliated (by virtue of being majority owned subsidiaries of the same parent or because one investment adviser is a majority owned subsidiary of the other). 4. The term "securities" as used herein does not include (i) securities of issuers that are affiliated with the Buyer or are part of the Buyer's Family of Investment Companies, (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. or any instrumentality thereof, (iii) bank deposit notes and certificates of deposit, (iv) loan participations, (v) repurchase agreements, (vi) securities owned but subject to a repurchase agreement and (vii) currency, interest rate and commodity swaps. I-6 5. The Buyer is familiar with Rule 144A and understands that the parties listed in the Rule 144A Transferee Certificate to which this certification relates are relying and will continue to rely on the statements made herein because one or more sales to the Buyer will be in reliance on Rule 144A. In addition, the Buyer will only purchase for the Buyer's own account. 6. Until the date of purchase of the Certificates, the undersigned will notify the parties listed in the Rule 144A Transferee Certificate to which this certification relates of any changes in the information and conclusions herein. Until such notice is given, the Buyer's purchase of the Certificates will constitute a reaffirmation of this certification by the undersigned as of the date of such purchase. __________________________________ Print Name of Transferee By:_______________________________ Name: Title: IF AN ADVISER: __________________________________ Print Name of Buyer Date:_____________________________ I-7 EXHIBIT J-1 FORM OF PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION (Master Servicer) Re: Master Servicing and Trust Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2006 (the "Agreement"), among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, each as a custodian, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") and securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator"). I, ________________________________, the _______________________ of [NAME OF COMPANY] (the "Company"), certify to the Depositor, and its officers, with the knowledge and intent that they will rely upon this certification, that: (1) I have reviewed the servicer compliance statement of the Company provided in accordance with Item 1123 of Regulation AB (the "Compliance Statement"), the report on assessment of the Company's compliance with the servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB (the "Servicing Criteria"), provided in accordance with Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and Item 1122 of Regulation AB (the "Servicing Assessment"), the registered public accounting firm's attestation report provided in accordance with Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 under the Exchange Act and Section 1122(b) of Regulation AB (the "Attestation Report"), all servicing reports, officer's certificates and other information relating to the servicing of the Mortgage Loans by the Company during 200[ ] that were delivered by the Company to the Depositor and the Securities Administrator pursuant to the Agreement (collectively, the "Company Servicing Information"); (2) Based on my knowledge, the Company Servicing Information, taken as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period of time covered by the Company Servicing Information; (3) Based on my knowledge, all of the Company Servicing Information required to be provided by the Company under the Agreement has been provided to the Depositor; (4) I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the Company as a servicer under the Agreement, and based on my knowledge and the compliance review conducted in preparing the Compliance Statement and except as disclosed in the Compliance Statement, the Servicing Assessment or the Attestation Report, the Company has fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement; and J-1-1 (5) The Compliance Statement required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to the Agreement, and the Servicing Assessment and Attestation Report required to be provided by the Company and by any Subservicer or Subcontractor pursuant to the Agreement, have been provided to the Master Servicer. Any material instances of noncompliance described in such reports have been disclosed to the Master Servicer. Any material instance of noncompliance with the Servicing Criteria has been disclosed in such reports. Date: _________________________ By: ________________________________ Name: Title: J-1-2 EXHIBIT J-2 FORM OF PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION (Securities Administrator) Re: Master Servicing and Trust Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2006 (the "Agreement"), among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, each as a custodian, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") and securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator"). I, ________________________________, the _______________________ of [NAME OF COMPANY] (the "Company"), certify to the Depositor, and its officers, with the knowledge and intent that they will rely upon this certification, that: (1) I have reviewed the report on assessment of the Company's compliance with the servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB (the "Servicing Criteria"), provided in accordance with Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and Item 1122 of Regulation AB (the "Servicing Assessment"), the registered public accounting firm's attestation report provided in accordance with Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 under the Exchange Act and Section 1122(b) of Regulation AB (the "Attestation Report"), all reports on Form 10-D containing statements to certificateholders filed in respect of the period included in the year covered by the annual report of the Trust Fund (collectively, the "Distribution Date Statements"); (2) Assuming the accuracy and completeness of the information delivered to the Company by the Master Servicer as provided in the Agreement and subject to paragraph (4) below, the distribution information determined by the Company and set forth in the Distribution Date Statements contained in all Form 10-D's included in the year covered by the annual report of such Trust on Form 10-K for the calendar year 200[ ], is complete and does not contain any material misstatement of fact as of the last day of the period covered by such annual report; (3) Based solely on the information delivered to the Company by the Master Servicer as provided in the Agreement, (i) the distribution information required under the Agreement to be contained in the Trust Fund's Distribution Date Statements and (ii) the servicing information required to be provided by the Master Servicer to the Securities Administrator for inclusion in the Trust Fund's Distribution Date Statements, to the extent received by the Securities Administrator from the Master Servicer in accordance with the Agreement, is included in such Distribution Date Statements; J-2-1 (4) The Company is not certifying as to the accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information which it received from the Master Servicer and did not independently verify or confirm the accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information provided by the Master Servicer; (5) I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the Company as a person "performing a servicing function" under the Agreement, and based on my knowledge and the compliance review conducted in preparing the Servicing Assessment and except as disclosed in the Servicing Assessment or the Attestation Report, the Company has fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement; and (6) The Servicing Assessment and Attestation Report required to be provided by the Company pursuant to the Agreement, have been provided to the Depositor. Any material instances of noncompliance described in such reports have been disclosed to the Depositor. Any material instance of noncompliance with the Servicing Criteria has been disclosed in such reports. Date: ________________________________ By: ________________________________ Name: Title: J-2-2 EXHIBIT K FORM OF SERVICING CRITERIA TO BE ADDRESSED IN ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE STATEMENT The assessment of compliance to be delivered by the [Master Servicer] [Securities Administrator] [Custodian] shall address, at a minimum, the criteria identified as below as "Applicable Servicing Criteria":

K-6 EXHIBIT L FORM OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS To: U.S. Bank National Assoc. Attention: Document Custody Services 1133 Rankin Suite 100 Receiving Unit EP-MN-TMZD FAX: (651) 695-6100 or 695-6101 St. Paul, MN 55116 RE: Custodial Agreement between U.S. Bank National Association, a custodian, and ___________________ as the company stated in the "agreement". In connection with and pursuant to Section____________, of the agreement, we request the release and acknowledge of the custodial file for the mortgage loan described below, for the reason indicated: FROM: Servicer:________________________________________________________, City/State______________ SERVICER LOAN #: ___________________________, U.S. BANK#_____________________________________, Deal Name: ____________________, Mortgagor's Name: _______________________________________________ Original loan amount: ________ Property Address: ________________________________________________ Payment amount: ____________ City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________ Interest rate: ________________ REASON FOR REQUESTING DOCUMENTS (check one) ------------------------------------------- ________1. Loan paid in full ________2. Loan in foreclosure ________3. Loan being substituted ________4. Loan being liquidated by company ________5. Other (please explain) --------------------------------------------------------- L-1 If box 1 or 4 above is checked, and if all or part of the Custodial File was previously released to us, then please provide a copy of the previous release request (RR) to us as well as any additional documents in your possession relating to the above specified mortgage loan. If box 2 or 5 above is checked, then upon our return to you as custodian, all of the documents for the above specified mortgage loan, please acknowledge your receipt by signing in the space indicated below, and returning this form to us. COMPANY NAME:_________________________________________PHONE#____________________________ AUTHORIZED SIGNER: ______________________________________________________________ NAME(TYPED):_____________________________________DATE:__________________________ PHONE #:_____________________________________________________ DATE:__________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE MAIL DOCUMENTS BACK TO: ______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ L-2 EXHIBIT L-1 FORM OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS To: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company 1761 East St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, California 92705 Attention: Mortgage Custody - GS0608 RE: Master Servicing and Trust Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2006 (the "Agreement"), among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and U.S. Bank National Association, each as a custodian, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") and securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator").. In connection with and pursuant to Section____________, of the agreement, we request the release and acknowledge of the custodial file for the mortgage loan described below, for the reason indicated below. Further, any payments received by the Servicer listed below in connection with this request for release have been deposited into the Distribution Account for the benefit of the Trust. FROM: Servicer:________________________________________________________, City/State______________ SERVICER LOAN #: ___________________________, DEUTSCHE BANK #_____________________________________, Deal Name: ____________________, Mortgagor's Name: _______________________________________________ Original loan amount: ________ Property Address: ________________________________________________ Payment amount: ____________ City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________ Interest rate: ________________ REASON FOR REQUESTING DOCUMENTS (check one) ------------------------------------------- ________1. Loan paid in full ________2. Loan in foreclosure ________3. Loan being substituted ________4. Loan being liquidated by company M-1 ________5. Other (please explain) _________________________________________________________ If box 1 or 4 above is checked, and if all or part of the Custodial File was previously released to us, then please provide a copy of the previous release request (RR) to us as well as any additional documents in your possession relating to the above specified mortgage loan. If box 2 or 5 above is checked, then upon our return to you as custodian, all of the documents for the above specified mortgage loan, please acknowledge your receipt by signing in the space indicated below, and returning this form to us. COMPANY NAME:_________________________________________PHONE#__________________________ AUTHORIZED SIGNER: _________________________________________________________________________ NAME(TYPED):_______________________________________________DATE:______________ PHONE #:_____________________________________________________ DATE:__________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE MAIL DOCUMENTS BACK TO: ______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ M-2 EXHIBIT L-2 FORM OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association 2220 Chemsearch Blvd., Suite 150, Irving, Texas 75062 RE: Master Servicing and Trust Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2006 (the "Agreement"), among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and U.S. Bank National Association, each as a custodian, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer") and securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator").. In connection with and pursuant to Section____________, of the agreement, we request the release and acknowledge of the custodial file for the mortgage loan described below, for the reason indicated below: FROM: Servicer:________________________________________________________, City/State______________ SERVICER LOAN #: ___________________________, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. #_____________________________________, Deal Name: ____________________, Mortgagor's Name: _______________________________________________ Original loan amount: ________ Property Address: ________________________________________________ Payment amount: ____________ City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________ Interest rate: ________________ REASON FOR REQUESTING DOCUMENTS (check one) ------------------------------------------- ________1. Loan paid in full ________2. Loan in foreclosure ________3. Loan being substituted ________4. Loan being liquidated by company ________5. Other (please explain) _________________________________________________________ M-1 If box 1 or 4 above is checked, and if all or part of the Custodial File was previously released to us, then please provide a copy of the previous release request (RR) to us as well as any additional documents in your possession relating to the above specified mortgage loan. If box 2 or 5 above is checked, then upon our return to you as custodian, all of the documents for the above specified mortgage loan, please acknowledge your receipt by signing in the space indicated below, and returning this form to us. COMPANY NAME:__________________________________________PHONE#__________________________ AUTHORIZED SIGNER: _________________________________________________________________________ NAME(TYPED):____________________________________________DATE:__________________ PHONE #:_____________________________________________________ DATE:__________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE MAIL DOCUMENTS BACK TO: ______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ M-2 EXHIBIT L-3 [FORM OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS] To: Wells Fargo Bank National Association 1015 10th Avenue SE Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414 Attention: Mortgage Custody - GS0608 RE: Master Servicing and Trust Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2006 (the "Agreement"), among GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as depositor (the "Depositor"), Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee") and as a custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and U.S. Bank National Association, each as a custodian, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as master servicer (in such capacity, the "Master Servicer"), securities administrator (in such capacity, the "Securities Administrator") and as a custodian. In connection with and pursuant to Section____________, of the agreement, we request the release and acknowledge of the custodial file for the mortgage loan described below, for the reason indicated below: FROM: Servicer:________________________________________________________, City/State______________ SERVICER LOAN #: ___________________________, WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION#_______________________________, Deal Name: ____________________, Mortgagor's Name: _______________________________________________ Original loan amount: ________ Property Address: ________________________________________________ Payment amount: ____________ City/State/Zip: __________________________________________________ Interest rate: ________________ REASON FOR REQUESTING DOCUMENTS (check one) ------------------------------------------- ________1. Loan paid in full ________2. Loan in foreclosure ________3. Loan being substituted ________4. Loan being liquidated by company K-12 ________5. Other (please explain) _________________________________________________________ If box 1 or 4 above is checked, and if all or part of the Custodial File was previously released to us, then please provide a copy of the previous release request (RR) to us as well as any additional documents in your possession relating to the above specified mortgage loan. If box 2 or 5 above is checked, then upon our return to you as custodian, all of the documents for the above specified mortgage loan, please acknowledge your receipt by signing in the space indicated below, and returning this form to us. COMPANY NAME:____________________________________________PHONE#______________________ AUTHORIZED SIGNER: _________________________________________________________________________ NAME(TYPED):____________________________________________DATE:__________________ PHONE #:_____________________________________________________ DATE:__________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE MAIL DOCUMENTS BACK TO: ______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ M-4 EXHIBIT M Form of Master Loan Purchase Agreement, between various sellers and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company [See Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on February 14, 2006, Accession No. 0000905148-06-001326] M-1 EXHIBIT N Flow Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2005, between Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company [See Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 17, 2006, Accession No. 0000905148-06-002386] N-1 EXHIBIT O Flow Servicing Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2006, between Avelo Mortgage, L.L.C. and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company [See Exhibit 99.13 to Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 14, 2006, Accession No. 0000905148-06-00297] O-1 EXHIBIT P Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, dated November, 1, 2005, between Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Exhibit P ------------ Execution Copy ---------------------------------------------------- GOLDMAN SACHS MORTGAGE COMPANY Purchaser and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Company ---------------------------------------------------- SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER SELLER'S WARRANTIES AND SERVICING AGREEMENT Dated as of November 1, 2005 ---------------------------------------------------- Fixed Rate and Adjustable Rate Residential Mortgage Loans TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS ARTICLE II CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; POSSESSION OF CUSTODIAL MORTGAGE FILES; BOOKS AND RECORDS; DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS Section 2.1 Conveyance of Mortgage Loans; Possession of Custodial Mortgage Files; Maintenance of Retained Mortgage Files and Servicing Files....................................15 Section 2.2 Books and Records; Transfers of Mortgage Loans.................17 Section 2.3 Delivery of Documents..........................................18 Section 2.4 Mortgage Schedule..............................................20 Section 2.5 Examination of Custodial Mortgage Files........................20 Section 2.6 Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company......21 Section 2.7 Representation, Warranties and Agreement of Purchaser..........21 Section 2.8 Closing........................................................22 Section 2.9 Closing Documents..............................................22 ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REMEDIES AND BREACH Section 3.1 Company Representations and Warranties.........................23 Section 3.2 Representations and Warranties Regarding Individual Mortgage Loans...............................................25 Section 3.3 Repurchase.....................................................40 ARTICLE IV ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS Section 4.1 Company to Act as Servicer.....................................41 Section 4.2 Liquidation of Mortgage Loans..................................43 Section 4.3 Collection of Mortgage Loan Payments...........................44 Section 4.4 Establishment of and Deposits to Custodial Account.............44 Section 4.5 Permitted Withdrawals From Custodial Account...................46 Section 4.6 Establishment of and Deposits to Escrow Account................47 Section 4.7 Permitted Withdrawals From Escrow Account......................48 Section 4.8 Payment of Taxes, Insurance and Other Charges..................49 Section 4.9 Protection of Accounts.........................................49 Section 4.10 Maintenance of Hazard Insurance................................49 Section 4.11 Maintenance of PMI Policy; Claims..............................51 Section 4.12 Maintenance of Mortgage Impairment Insurance...................52 Section 4.13 Maintenance of Fidelity Bond and Errors and Omissions Insurance....................................................52 Section 4.14 Inspections....................................................53 Section 4.15 Restoration of Mortgaged Property..............................53 Section 4.16 Claims.........................................................53 Section 4.17 Title, Management and Disposition of REO Property..............54 Section 4.18 Real Estate Owned Reports......................................55 Section 4.19 Liquidation Reports............................................55 Section 4.20 Reports of Foreclosures and Abandonments of Mortgaged Property.....................................................55 Section 4.21 Fair Credit Reporting Act......................................56 Section 4.22 Establishment of and Deposits to Subsidy Account...............56 Section 4.23 Establishment of and Deposits to Buydown Account...............57 Section 4.24 Letter of Credit Compliance....................................58 Section 4.25 Letter of Credit Draws.........................................58 Section 4.26 Assignment of the Letter of Credit.............................59 Section 4.27 Pledge Holder Defaults.........................................59 ARTICLE V PAYMENTS TO PURCHASER Section 5.1 Remittances....................................................60 Section 5.2 Statements to Purchaser........................................61 Section 5.3 Monthly Advances by Company....................................61 ARTICLE VI GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES Section 6.1 Transfers of Mortgaged Property................................62 Section 6.2 Satisfaction of Mortgages and Release of Custodial Mortgage Files...............................................63 Section 6.3 Servicing Compensation.........................................63 Section 6.4 Annual Statement as to Compliance..............................63 Section 6.5 Annual Independent Public Accountants' Servicing Report........64 Section 6.6 Right to Examine Company Records...............................66 Section 6.7 Compliance with REMIC Provisions...............................67 ARTICLE VII COMPANY TO COOPERATE Section 7.1 Provision of Information.......................................67 Section 7.2 Financial Statements; Servicing Facility.......................67 ARTICLE VIII THE COMPANY Section 8.1 Indemnification; Third Party Claims............................68 Section 8.2 Merger or Consolidation of the Company.........................68 Section 8.3 Limitation on Liability of Company and Others..................69 Section 8.4 Limitation on Resignation and Assignment by Company............69 ARTICLE IX SECURITIZATION TRANSACTION Section 9.1 Removal of Mortgage Loans from Inclusion Under this Agreement Upon a Securitization Transaction..................70 ARTICLE X DEFAULT Section 10.1 Events of Default..............................................80 Section 10.2 Waiver of Defaults.............................................82 ARTICLE XI TERMINATION Section 11.1 Termination....................................................83 Section 11.2 Termination Without Cause......................................83 Section 11.3 Termination With Cause.........................................83 ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 12.1 Successor to Company...........................................84 Section 12.2 Amendment......................................................85 Section 12.3 Governing Law..................................................85 Section 12.4 Duration of Agreement..........................................85 Section 12.5 Notices........................................................85 Section 12.6 Severability of Provisions.....................................86 Section 12.7 Relationship of Parties........................................86 Section 12.8 Execution; Successors and Assigns..............................87 Section 12.9 Recordation of Assignments of Mortgage.........................87 Section 12.10 Assignment by Purchaser........................................87 Section 12.11 Solicitation of Mortgagor......................................87 EXHIBITS Exhibit A Form of Assignment and Conveyance Agreement Exhibit A-1 Data File Elements Exhibit B Contents of Each Mortgage Loan File Exhibit C Form of Custodial Agreement Exhibit D Form of Opinion of Counsel Exhibit E Items to Be Included in Monthly Remittance Advice Exhibit F Form of Assignment, Assumption and Recognition Agreement Exhibit G Form of Company's Officer's Certificate Exhibit H Form of Annual Certification Exhibit I Servicing Criteria to be addressed in Assessment of Compliance Exhibit J Sarbanes Certification This Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement for fixed rate and adjustable rate residential first mortgage loans, dated and effective as of November 1, 2005, and is executed between Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company, as purchaser (the "Purchaser"), and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as seller and servicer (the "Company"). W I T N E S S E T H WHEREAS, the Purchaser and the Company are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2005 (the "Amended and Restated Master Agreement"), between the Purchaser and the Company; WHEREAS, the Company has requested the Purchaser to agree to amend certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Master Agreement as set forth in this Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement. The Purchaser is willing to agree to such amendments, but only on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement; WHEREAS, the Purchaser desires to purchase from time to time from the Company and the Company desires to sell from time to time to the Purchaser certain first-lien, fixed rate and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans (the "Mortgage Loans") which shall be delivered in pools of whole loans (each, a "Mortgage Loan Package") on various dates as provided herein (each, a "Closing Date"); WHEREAS, each of the Mortgage Loans is secured by a mortgage, deed of trust or other security instrument creating a first lien on a one-to-four family residential dwelling located in the jurisdiction indicated on the Mortgage Loan Schedule for the related Mortgage Loan; and WHEREAS, the Purchaser and the Company wish to prescribe the manner of purchase of the Mortgage Loans and the conveyance, servicing and control of the Mortgage Loans including the servicing and control of the Mortgage Loans previously purchased from the Company by the Purchaser pursuant to the Amended and Restated Master Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Purchaser and the Company agree as follows: ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS Whenever used herein, the following words and phrases, unless the content otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings: -1- Accepted Servicing Practices: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, those customary mortgage servicing practices of prudent mortgage lending institutions which service mortgage loans of the same type as such Mortgage Loan in the jurisdiction where the related Mortgaged Property is located. Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan: An adjustable rate Mortgage Loan purchased pursuant to this Agreement. Administration Disclosure: With respect to a Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan, the Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan Administration and Information Sharing Disclosure and Acknowledgment executed by the related Borrower. Agency/Agencies: Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or any of them as applicable. Agency Transfer: Any sale or transfer of some or all of the Mortgage Loans by the Purchaser to an Agency which sale or transfer is not a Securitization Transaction or Whole Loan Transfer. Agreement: This Second Amended and Restated Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement and all exhibits hereto, amendments hereof and supplements hereto. ALTA: The American Land Title Association or any successor thereto. Applicable Law: All provisions of statutes, rules and regulations, interpretations and orders of governmental bodies or regulatory agencies applicable to a Person, and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators in proceedings or actions in which the Person in question is a party. Appraised Value: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the lesser of (i) the value set forth on the appraisal made in connection with the origination of the related Mortgage Loan as the value of the related Mortgage Property, or (ii) the purchase price paid for the Mortgage Property, provided, however, in the case of a refinanced Mortgage Loan, such value shall be based solely on the appraisal made in connection with the refinance of such Mortgage Loan. Assigned Letter of Credit: A Letter of Credit related to a Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan for which either (i) the Company has delivered to Purchaser or its designee a transfer letter as authorized by the Letter of Credit and executed in blank or (ii) the named beneficiary has been changed from the Company to the Purchaser or its designee. Assignment of Mortgage or 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 the sale of the Mortgage to the Purchaser or its designated assignee, of if the related Mortgage has been recorded in the name of MERS or its designee, such actions as are necessary to cause the Purchaser to be shown as the owner of the related Mortgage on the records of MERS for purposes of the system of recording transfers of beneficial ownership of mortgages maintained by MERS. -2- Assignment of Mortgage Note and Pledge Agreement: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, an assignment of the Mortgage Note and Pledge Agreement. Assignment of Proprietary Lease: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, an assignment of the Proprietary Lease sufficient under the laws of the jurisdiction wherein the related Cooperative Apartment is located to effect the assignment of such Proprietary Lease. Business Day: Any day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday, or (ii) a day on which banking and savings and loan institutions in the states where the parties are located are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed. Buydown Account: An account maintained by the Company specifically to hold all Buydown Funds to be applied to individual Buydown Loans. Buydown Agreement: An agreement between the Company and a Mortgagor, or an agreement among the Company, a Mortgagor and a seller of a Mortgaged Property or a third party with respect to a Mortgage Loan which provides for the application of Buydown Funds. Buydown Funds: In respect of any Buydown Mortgage Loan, any amount contributed by the seller of a Mortgaged Property subject to a Buydown Mortgage Loan, the buyer of such property, the Company or any other source, plus interest earned thereon, in order to enable the Mortgagor to reduce the payments required to be made from the mortgagor's funds in the early years of a Mortgage Loan. Buydown Mortgage Loan: Any Mortgage Loan in respect of which, pursuant to a Buydown Agreement, (i) the Mortgagor pays less than the full monthly payments specified in the Mortgage Note for a specified period, and (ii) the difference between the payments required under such Buydown Agreement and the Mortgage Note is provided from Buydown Funds. Buydown Period: The period of time when a Buydown Agreement is in effect with respect to a related Buydown Mortgage Loan. Closing Date: The date or dates on which the Purchaser from time to time shall purchase and the Company from time to time shall sell the Mortgage Loans listed on the related Mortgage Loan Schedule with respect to the related Mortgage Loan Package. Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time or any successor statute thereto, and applicable U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations issued pursuant thereto. Commission: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Company: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or its successor in interest or assigns, or any successor to the Company under this Agreement appointed as herein provided. Company Certification: The certification delivered by the Company in a form substantially similar to Exhibit H of this Agreement. -3- Company Employees: The meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.13. Company Information: As defined in Section 9.01(f)(i)(A). Condemnation Proceeds: All awards or settlements in respect of a Mortgaged Property, whether permanent or temporary, partial or entire, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or condemnation, to the extent not required to be released to a Mortgagor in accordance with the terms of the related Mortgage Loan Documents. Convertible Mortgage Loan: Any individual Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan purchased pursuant to this Agreement which contains a provision whereby the Mortgagor is permitted to convert the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan to a Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan in accordance with the terms of the related Mortgage Note. Cooperative: The entity that holds title (fee or an acceptable leasehold estate) to all of the real property that the related Project comprises, including the land, separate dwelling units and all common areas. Cooperative Apartment: The specific dwelling unit relating to a Cooperative Loan. Cooperative Lien Search: A search for (a) federal tax liens, mechanics' liens, lis pendens, judgments of record or otherwise against (i) the Cooperative, (ii) the seller of the Cooperative Apartment and (iii) the Company, if the Cooperative Loan is a refinanced Mortgage Loan, (b) filings of financing statements and (c) the deed of the Project into the Cooperative. Cooperative Loan: A Mortgage Loan that is secured by Cooperative Shares and a Proprietary Lease granting exclusive rights to occupy the related Cooperative Apartment. Cooperative Shares: The shares of stock issued by a Cooperative, owned by the Mortgagor, and allocated to a Cooperative Apartment. Covered Loan: A Mortgage Loan categorized as "Covered" pursuant to the Standard & Poor's Glossary for File Format for LEVELS(R) Version 5.6, Appendix E, as revised from time to time and in effect on each related Closing Date. Custodial Account: The separate account or accounts created and maintained pursuant to Section 4.4. Custodial Agreement: The agreement governing the retention of the originals of each Mortgage Note, Assignment of Mortgage and other Mortgage Loan Documents if applicable, a form of which is annexed hereto as Exhibit C. Custodial Mortgage File: The items pertaining to a particular Mortgage Loan referred to in items (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Exhibit B annexed hereto, and any additional documents required to be added to the Custodial Mortgage File pursuant to this Agreement that have been delivered to the Custodian as of the related Closing Date. -4- Custodian: The custodian under the Custodial Agreement, or its successor in interest or assigns, or any successor to the Custodian under the Custodial Agreement as provided therein. Cut-off Date: The date or dates designated as such on the related Mortgage Loan Schedule with respect to the related Mortgage Loan Package. Data File: The electronic data file prepared by Company and delivered to the Purchaser including the data fields set forth on Exhibit A-1 with respect to each Mortgage Loan. Depositor: The depositor, as such term is defined in Regulation AB, with respect to any Securitization Transaction. Determination Date: The day preceding the Remittance Date, or if such day is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day. Due Date: The first day of the month on which the Monthly Payment is due on a Mortgage Loan, exclusive of any days of grace. Due Period: With respect to each Remittance Date, the period commencing on the second day of the month preceding the month in which such Remittance Date occurs and ending on (and including) the first day of the month in which such Remittance Date occurs. Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy: An errors and omissions insurance policy to be maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12. Escrow Account: The separate account or accounts created and maintained pursuant to Section 4.6. Escrow Payments: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the amounts constituting ground rents, taxes, assessments, water rates, sewer rents, municipal charges, mortgage insurance premiums, fire and hazard insurance premiums, condominium charges, and any other payments required to be escrowed by the Mortgagor with the mortgagee pursuant to the Mortgage or any other related document. Event of Default: Any one of the conditions or circumstances enumerated in Section 10.1. Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Fannie Mae: The Federal National Mortgage Association, or any successor thereto. FDIC: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and its successors. Fidelity Bond: A fidelity bond to be maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12. -5- First Remittance Date: The date or dates designated as such on the related Mortgage Loan Schedule with respect to the related Mortgage Loan Package. Freddie Mac: The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or any successor thereto. Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan: A fixed rate mortgage loan purchased pursuant to this Agreement. Gross Margin: With respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the fixed percentage amount set forth in the related Mortgage Note which amount is added to the Index in accordance with the terms of the related Mortgage Note to determine on each Interest Rate Adjustment Date the Mortgage Interest Rate for such Mortgage Loan. High Cost Loan: A Mortgage Loan classified as (a) a "high cost" loan under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, (b) a "high cost home," "threshold," "covered," "high risk home," "predatory" or similar loan under any other applicable state, federal or local law or (c) a Mortgage Loan categorized as "High Cost" pursuant to the Standard & Poor's Glossary for File Format for LEVELS(R) Version 5.6, Appendix E, as revised from time to time and in effect on each related Closing Date. Home Loan: A Mortgage Loan categorized as Home Loan pursuant to Appendix E of Standard & Poor's Glossary. Index: With respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, a rate per annum set forth in the related loan documents. Interim Funder: With respect to each MERS Designated Mortgage Loan, the Person named on the MERS(R) System as the interim funder pursuant to the MERS Procedures Manual. Insurance Proceeds: Proceeds of any mortgage insurance, title policy, hazard policy or other insurance policy covering a Mortgage Loan, if any, to the extent such proceeds are not to be applied to the restoration of the related Mortgaged Property or released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the procedures that the Company would follow in servicing mortgage loans held for its own account. Interest Only Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan for which an interest-only payment feature is allowed during the period prior to the first Interest Rate Adjustment Date. Interest Rate Adjustment Date: With respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the date specified in the related Mortgage Note and the Mortgage Loan Schedule, on which the Mortgage Interest Rate is adjusted. Investor: With respect to each MERS Mortgage Loan, the Person named on the MERS System as the investor pursuant to the MERS Procedures Manual. -6- Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy: A PMI Policy for which the Company pays all premiums from its own funds, without reimbursement therefor. Letter of Credit: With respect to a Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan, a letter of credit issued by the Pledge Holder which may be drawn on by the Company in the event that the related Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan continues in default for ninety (90) days. Lifetime Rate Cap: The provision of each Mortgage Note related to an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan which provides for an absolute maximum Mortgage Interest Rate thereunder. The Mortgage Interest Rate during the terms of each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan shall not at any time exceed the Mortgage Interest Rate at the time of origination of such Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan by more than the amount per annum set forth on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Liquidation Proceeds: Cash (other than Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds) received in connection with the liquidation of a defaulted Mortgage Loan, whether through the sale or assignment of such Mortgage Loan, trustee's sale, foreclosure sale, sale of REO Property, or otherwise, or the sale of the related Mortgaged Property if the Mortgaged Property is acquired in satisfaction of the Mortgage Loan. Loan-to-Value Ratio: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the ratio of the original loan amount of the Mortgage Loan at its origination or refinancing, as applicable, to the Appraised Value of the Mortgaged Property. LPMI Proceeds: Proceeds of any Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy. MERS: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any successor thereto. MERS Mortgage Loan: Any Mortgage Loan registered with MERS on the MERS System. MERS Procedure Manual: The MERS Procedures Manual, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. MERS System: The system of recording transfers of mortgages electronically maintained by MERS. MERS Report: The report from the MERS System listing MERS Designated Mortgage Loans and other information. MIN: The Mortgage Identification Number for any MERS Mortgage Loan. MOM Loan: Any Mortgage Loan as to which MERS is acting as mortgagee, solely as nominee for the originator of such Mortgage Loan and its successors and assigns. Monthly Advance: The portion of each Monthly Payment that is delinquent with respect to each Mortgage Loan at the close of business on the Determination Date required to be -7- advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 5.3 on the Business Day immediately preceding the Remittance Date of the related month. Monthly Payment: The scheduled monthly payment of principal and interest, or in the case of an Interest Only Mortgage Loan, payments of interest on a Mortgage Loan. Monthly Remittance Advice: The meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.2. Mortgage: The mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument and riders thereto securing a Mortgage Note, which creates a first lien on an unsubordinated estate in fee simple in real property securing the Mortgage Note, or the Pledge Agreement securing the Mortgage Note for a Cooperative Loan. Mortgage Interest Rate: The annual rate of interest borne on a Mortgage Note in accordance with the provisions of the Mortgage Note. Mortgage Interest Rate Cap: With respect to an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the limit on each Mortgage Interest Rate adjustment as set forth in the related Mortgage Note. Mortgage Loan: An individual mortgage loan which is the subject of this Agreement, each Mortgage Loan originally sold and subject to this Agreement being identified on the related Mortgage Loan Schedule, which Mortgage Loan includes without limitation the Retained Mortgage File, the Custodial Mortgage File, the Monthly Payments, Principal Prepayments, Liquidation Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds, REO Disposition Proceeds and all other rights, benefits, proceeds and obligations arising from or in connection with such Mortgage Loan. Mortgage Loan Documents: With respect to a Mortgage Loan, the original related Mortgage Note with applicable addenda and riders, the original related security instrument and the originals of any required addenda and riders, the original related Assignment and any original intervening related Assignments, the original related title insurance policy, and the related appraisal report and for each Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan, the original advice of such Letter of Credit executed by the Pledge Holder and the Company's executed notice of transfer (Exhibit A to the Letter of Credit) of beneficiary of such Letter of Credit to the Purchaser or its designee. Mortgage Loan Package: Each pool of Mortgage Loans, which shall be purchased by the Purchaser from the Company from time to time on each Closing Date. Mortgage Loan Remittance Rate: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the annual rate of interest remitted to the Purchaser, which shall be equal to the Mortgage Interest Rate minus the Servicing Fee Rate. Mortgage Loan Schedule: A schedule of Mortgage Loans included in each Mortgage Loan Package, such schedule setting forth the following information with respect to each Mortgage Loan: (1) the Company's Mortgage Loan number; (2) the address, city, state and zip code of the Mortgaged Property; (3) a code indicating whether the Mortgaged Property is a single family residence, two-family residence, three-family residence, four-family residence, -8- Cooperative Apartment, planned unit development; (4) the Gross Margin; (5) the current Mortgage Interest Rate; (6) the Servicing Fee Rate; (7) the current Monthly Payment; (8) the original term to maturity; (9) the scheduled maturity date (and, if different, the stated maturity date indicated on the Mortgage Note on its date of origination); (10) the principal balance of the Mortgage Loan as of the related Cut-off Date after deduction of payments of principal due on or before the related Cut-off Date whether or not collected; (11) the Loan-to-Value Ratio; (12) the Interest Rate Adjustment Date; (13) the Lifetime Rate Cap under the terms of the Mortgage Note; (14) whether the Mortgage Loan is convertible or not; (15) a code indicating the mortgage guaranty insurance company; and (16) a field indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a Home Loan. Mortgage Note: The note or other evidence of the indebtedness of a Mortgagor secured by a Mortgage and riders thereto. Mortgaged Property: The real property (or with respect to a Cooperative Loan, the related Cooperative Apartment) securing repayment of the debt evidenced by a Mortgage Note. Mortgagor: The obligor on a Mortgage Note. Non-Assigned Letter of Credit: A Letter of Credit in which the named beneficiary is the Company. Officer's Certificate: A certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice President, an Assistant Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or one of the Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries of the Company, and delivered to the Purchaser as required by this Agreement. Opinion of Counsel: A written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of the Company, reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser. Periodic Rate Cap: The provision of each Mortgage Note related to an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan which provides for an absolute maximum amount by which the Mortgage Interest Rate therein may increase or decrease on an Interest Rate Adjustment Date above or below the Mortgage Interest Rate previously in effect. The Periodic Rate Cap for each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan is the rate set forth on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Periodic Rate Floor: With respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the provision of each Mortgage Note which provides for an absolute maximum amount by which the Mortgage Interest Rate therein may decrease on an Interest Rate Adjustment Date below the Mortgage Interest Rate previously in effect. The Periodic Rate Floor for each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan is the rate set forth on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. -9- Pledge Agreement: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, the specific agreement creating a first lien on and pledge of the Cooperative Shares and the appurtenant Proprietary Lease. Pledge Holder: The entity which issued a Letter of Credit. Pledge Instruments: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, the Stock Power, the Assignment of the Proprietary Lease and the Assignment of the Mortgage Note and Pledge Agreement. Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan as to which, at the time of origination, a Letter of Credit was issued in favor of the initial holder of such Mortgage Loan. PMI Policy: Each policy of primary mortgage insurance represented to be in effect pursuant to Section 3.2(xxxii), or any replacement policy therefor obtained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11. Prime Rate: The prime rate announced to be in effect from time to time, as published as the average rate in The Wall Street Journal. Principal Balance: As to each Mortgage Loan, (i) the actual outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loan at the related Cut-off Date after giving effect to payments of principal due on or before such date, whether or not received, minus (ii) all amounts attributable to principal collected from or on behalf of the Mortgagor, including the principal portion of Liquidation Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds, and Insurance Proceeds. Principal Prepayment: Any payment or other recovery of principal on a Mortgage Loan which is received in advance of its scheduled Due Date, including any prepayment penalty or premium thereon and which is not accompanied by an amount of interest representing scheduled interest due on any date or dates in any month or months subsequent to the month of prepayment. Principal Prepayment Period: With respect to each Remittance Date, the period commencing on the first day of the month preceding the month in which such Remittance Date occurs, and ending on the last day of such month. Project: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, all real property owned by the related Cooperative including the land, separate dwelling units and all common areas. Proprietary Lease: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, a lease on a Cooperative Apartment evidencing the possessory interest of the Mortgagor in such Cooperative Apartment. Purchase Price: The purchase price for a Mortgage Loan Package specified in the related Purchase Price and Terms Letter. Purchase Price and Terms Letter: Those certain agreements setting forth the general terms and conditions of the transaction consummated herein and identifying the -10- Mortgage Loans to be purchased from time to time hereunder, between the Company and the Purchaser. Purchaser: Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company, or its successor in interest or any successor to the Purchaser under this Agreement as herein provided. Qualified Correspondent: Any Person from which the Company purchased Mortgage Loans, provided that the following conditions are satisfied: (i) such Mortgage Loans were originated pursuant to an agreement between the Company and such Person that contemplated that such Person would underwrite mortgage loans from time to time, for sale to the Company, in accordance with underwriting guidelines designated by the Company ("Designated Guidelines") or guidelines that do not vary materially from such Designated Guidelines; (ii) such Mortgage Loans were in fact underwritten as described in clause (i) above and were acquired by the Company within 180 days after origination; (iii) either (x) the Designated Guidelines were, at the time such Mortgage Loans were originated, used by the Company in origination of mortgage loans of the same type as the Mortgage Loans for the Company's own account or (y) the Designated Guidelines were, at the time such Mortgage Loans were underwritten, designated by the Company on a consistent basis for use by lenders in originating mortgage loans to be purchased by the Company; and (iv) the Company employed, at the time such Mortgage Loans were acquired by the Company, pre-purchased or post-purchased quality assurance procedures (which may involve, among other things, review of a sample of mortgage loans purchased during a particular time period or through particular channels) designed to ensure that Persons from which it purchased mortgage loans properly applied the underwriting criteria designated by the Company. Qualification Defect: With respect to a Mortgage Loan, (a) a defective document in the Retained Mortgage File or Custodial Mortgage File, (b) the absence of a document in the Retained Mortgage File or Custodial Mortgage File, or (c) the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant with respect to the Mortgage Loan made by the Company, but, in each case, only if the affected Mortgage Loan would cease to qualify as a "qualified mortgage" for purposes of the REMIC Provisions. Qualified Depository: A federal or state chartered depository institution, the deposits in which are insured by the FDIC to the applicable limits and the short-term unsecured debt obligations of which (or, in the case of a depository institution that is a subsidiary of a holding company, the short-term unsecured debt obligations of such holding company) are rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and Prime-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (or a comparable rating if another rating agency is specified by the Purchaser by written notice to the Company) at the time any deposits are held on deposit therein; provided however, that in the event any of the Mortgage Loans are subject to a Securitization Transaction, the Company agrees that the holding company or other entity which maintains any accounts subject to this definition, shall satisfy the rating requirements established by any Rating Agency which rates securities issued as part of the Securitization Transaction. Qualified Insurer: A mortgage guaranty insurance company duly authorized and licensed where required by law to transact mortgage guaranty insurance business and approved as an insurer by Fannie Mae. -11- Rating Agency: Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Fitch, Inc (doing business as "Fitch Ratings"), or any other nationally recognized statistical credit rating agency rating any security issued in connection with any Securitization Transaction. Rating Agency Delivery Event: The meaning specified in Section 9.1(h) of this Agreement. Recognition Agreement: An agreement whereby a Cooperative and a lender with respect to a Cooperative Loan (i) acknowledge that such lender may make, or intends to make, such Cooperative Loan, and (ii) make certain agreements with respect to such Cooperative Loan. Reconstitution: Any Securitization Transaction or Whole Loan Transfer. Reconstitution Agreement: The agreement or agreements entered into by the Company and the Purchaser and/or certain third parties on the Reconstitution Date or Dates with respect to any or all of the Mortgage Loans serviced hereunder, in connection with a Whole Loan Transfer or Securitization Transaction. Reconstitution Date: The date on which any or all of the Mortgage Loans serviced under this Agreement may be removed from this Agreement and reconstituted as part of an Agency Sale, Securitization Transaction or Whole Loan Transfer pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof. The Reconstitution Date shall be such date which the Purchaser shall designate. Regulation AB: Subpart 229.1100 - Asset Backed Securities (Regulation AB), 17 C.F.R. ss.ss.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. REMIC: A "real estate mortgage investment conduit" within the meaning of Section 860D of the Code. REMIC Provisions: Provisions of the federal income tax law relating to a REMIC, which appear at Section 860A through 860G of Subchapter M of Chapter 1, Subtitle A of the Code, and related provisions, regulations, rulings or pronouncements promulgated thereunder, as the foregoing may be in effect from time to time. Remittance Advice Date: The 10th Business Day of each month. Remittance Date: The 18th day (or if such 18th day is not a Business Day, the first Business Day immediately preceding such date) of any month, beginning with the First Remittance Date. REO Disposition: The final sale by the Company of any REO Property. -12- REO Disposition Proceeds: All amounts received with respect to an REO Disposition pursuant to Section 4.17. REO Property: A Mortgaged Property acquired by the Company on behalf of the Purchaser through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, as described in Section 4.16. Repurchase Price: Unless agreed otherwise by the Purchaser and the Company (including without limitation as set forth in the related Purchase Price and Terms Letter), a price equal to (i) the Scheduled Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loan plus (ii) interest on such Scheduled Principal Balance at the Mortgage Loan Remittance Rate from the date on which interest has last been paid and distributed to the Purchaser to the last day of the month of repurchase less amounts received or advanced in respect of such repurchased Mortgage Loan which are being held in the Custodial Account for distribution in the month of repurchase, to the extent such amounts are actually paid to the Purchaser upon the repurchase of the related Mortgage Loan, plus (iii) any costs and damages, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, incurred by the trust in the applicable Securitization Transaction in connection with any violation by the Mortgage Loan of any predatory or abusive lending law. Retained Mortgage File: The items pertaining to a particular Mortgage Loan referred to in items (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) of Exhibit B annexed hereto, and any additional documents required to be added to the Retained Mortgage File pursuant to this Agreement, which items are retained in the possession of the Company. Scheduled Principal Balance: As to each Mortgage Loan and as of any date of determination, (i) the principal balance of the Mortgage Loan at the related Cut-off Date after giving effect to payments of principal due on or before such date, whether or not received, minus (ii) all amounts previously collected by the Company as servicer hereunder or advanced and distributed to the Purchaser with respect to the related Mortgage Loan representing payments or recoveries of principal or advances made in lieu thereof. Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Securitization Transaction: Any transaction involving either (a) a sale or other transfer of some or all of the Mortgage Loans directly or indirectly to an issuing entity in connection with an issuance of publicly offered or privately placed, rated or unrated mortgage-backed securities or (b) an issuance of publicly offered or privately placed, rated or unrated securities, the payments on which are determined primarily by reference to one or more portfolios of residential mortgage loans consisting, in whole or in part, of some or all of the Mortgage Loans. Servicer: As defined in Section 9.1(g)(iii). Servicing Advances: All customary, reasonable and necessary "out of pocket" costs and expenses other than Monthly Advances (including reasonable attorney's fees and disbursements) incurred in the performance by the Company of its servicing obligations, including, but not limited to, the cost of (a) the preservation, restoration and protection of the Mortgaged Property, (b) any enforcement or judicial proceedings, including foreclosures, (c) the -13- management and liquidation of any REO Property and (d) compliance with the obligations under Section 4.8. 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: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the amount of the per annum fee the Purchaser shall pay to the Company, which shall, for a period of one full month, be equal to one-twelfth of the product of (a) the Servicing Fee Rate and (b) the unpaid principal balance of such Mortgage Loan. Such fee shall be payable monthly, computed on the basis of the same principal amount and same period for which any related interest payment on a Mortgage Loan is received. The obligation of the Purchaser to pay the Servicing Fee is limited to, and the Servicing Fee is payable solely from, the interest portion (including recoveries with respect to interest from Liquidation Proceeds, to the extent permitted by Section 4.5) of such Monthly Payment collected by the Company, or as otherwise provided under Section 4.5. Servicing Fee Rate: With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the rate per annum set forth in the related Purchase Price and Terms Letter. Servicing File: With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the file retained by the Company consisting of originals of all documents in the Retained Mortgage File which are not delivered to the Custodian and copies of the Mortgage Loan Documents listed in the Custodial Agreement the originals of which are delivered to the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.3. Servicing Officer: Any officer of the Company involved in or responsible for the administration and servicing of the Mortgage Loans whose name appears on a list of servicing officers furnished by the Company to the Purchaser upon request, as such list may from time to time be amended. Static Pool Information: Static pool information as described in Item 1105(a)(1)-(3) and 1105(c) of Regulation AB. Stock Certificate: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, a certificate evidencing ownership of the Cooperative Shares issued by the Cooperative. Stock Power: With respect to a Cooperative Loan, an assignment of the Stock Certificate or an assignment of the Cooperative Shares issued by the Cooperative. Subcontractor: Any vendor, subcontractor or other Person that is not responsible for the overall servicing (as "servicing" is commonly understood by participants in the mortgage-backed securities market) 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 the Company or a Subservicer. Subservicer: Any Person that services Mortgage Loans on behalf of the Company or any Subservicer and is responsible for the performance (whether directly or through Subservicers or Subcontractors) of a substantial portion of the material servicing functions -14- required to be performed by the Company under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement that are identified in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB. Subsidy Account: An account maintained by the Company specifically to hold all Subsidy Funds to be applied to individual Subsidy Loans. Subsidy Agreement: An agreement between the Company and a Mortgagor, or an agreement among the Company, a Mortgagor and an employer of a Mortgagor with respect to a Mortgage Loan which provides for the application of Subsidy Funds and pursuant to which the monthly interest payments made by the related Mortgagor will be less than the scheduled monthly interest payments on such Mortgage Loan, with the resulting difference in interest payments being provided by the employer of the Mortgagor. Subsidy Funds: With respect to any Subsidy Loans, funds contributed by the employer of a Mortgagor in order to reduce the payments required from the Mortgagor for a specified period in specified amounts. Subsidy Loan: Any Mortgage Loan subject to a Subsidy Agreement. Each Subsidy Loan will be identified as such in the related Data File. Third-Party Originator: Each Person, other than a Qualified Correspondent, that originated Mortgage Loans acquired by the Company. Time$aver(R) Mortgage Loan: A Mortgage Loan which has been refinanced pursuant to a Company program that allows a rate/term refinance of an existing Company-serviced loan with minimal documentation. Underwriting Guidelines: The underwriting guidelines of the Company, as provided by the Company to the Purchaser from time to time, in effect at the time of origination of the related Mortgage Loan. Whole Loan Transfer: Any sale or transfer of some or all of the Mortgage Loans by the Purchaser to a third party, which sale or transfer is not a Securitization Transaction or Agency Transfer. ARTICLE II CONVEYANCE OF MORTGAGE LOANS; POSSESSION OF CUSTODIAL MORTGAGE FILES; BOOKS AND RECORDS; DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS Section 2.1 Conveyance of Mortgage Loans; Possession of Custodial Mortgage Files; Maintenance of Retained Mortgage Files and Servicing Files. The Company, simultaneously with the delivery of the Mortgage Loan Schedule with respect to the related Mortgage Loan Package to be purchased on each Closing Date, shall -15- execute and deliver an Assignment and Conveyance Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Assignment and Conveyance Agreement"). The Company, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of each Assignment and Conveyance Agreement, shall sell, transfer, assign, set over and convey to the Purchaser, without recourse, but subject to the terms of this Agreement, all the right, title and interest of the Company in and to the (i) Mortgage Loans, including all interest and principal received by the Company on or with respect to the related Mortgage Loans after the related Cut-off Date (and including Monthly Payments due after the related Cut-off Date but received by the Company on or before the related Cut-off Date, but not including payments of principal and interest due on the Mortgage Loans on or before the related Cut-off Date) and (ii) all of the Company's right, title and interest in and to the proceeds of the Letters of Credit. The principal balance of each Mortgage Loan as of the related Cut-off Date shall be determined after application of payments of principal due on or before the related Cut-off Date whether or not collected. Therefore, payments of scheduled principal and interest prepaid for a Due Date beyond the related Cut-off Date shall not be applied to the principal balance as of the related Cut-off Date. Such prepaid amounts (minus interest at the Servicing Fee Rate) shall be the property of the Purchaser. The Company shall deposit any such prepaid amounts into the Custodial Account, which account is established for the benefit of the Purchaser for subsequent remittance by the Company to the Purchaser, and shall remit such amounts as provided in Section 5.1. With respect to each Closing Date and pursuant to Section 2.3, the Company shall deliver the Custodial Mortgage File to the Custodian. The Retained Mortgage File for each Mortgage Loan shall be held in trust by the Company for the benefit of the Purchaser as the owner thereof. Additionally and separate to the Retained Mortgage File, the Company shall maintain a Servicing File consisting of a copy of the contents of the Custodial Mortgage File and the Retained Mortgage File. The possession of each Retained Mortgage File by the Company shall be at the will of the Purchaser, and such retention and possession by the Company shall be in a custodial capacity only. The possession of each Servicing File by the Company shall be at the will of the Purchaser for the sole purpose of servicing the related Mortgage Loan, and such retention and possession by the Company shall be in a custodial capacity only. Upon the sale of the Mortgage Loans the ownership of each Mortgage Note, the related Mortgage and the related Custodial Mortgage File, Retained Mortgage File and Servicing File shall vest immediately in the Purchaser, and the ownership of all records and documents with respect to the related Mortgage Loan prepared by or which come into the possession of the Company shall vest immediately in the Purchaser and shall be retained and maintained by the Company, in trust, at the will of the Purchaser and only in such custodial capacity. The Company shall release its custody of the contents of any Retained Mortgage File and Servicing File only in accordance with written instructions from the Purchaser, unless such release is required as incidental to the Company's servicing of the Mortgage Loans, in the case of the Servicing File, or is in connection with a repurchase of any Mortgage Loan pursuant to Sections 2.3, 3.3 or 6.2. In addition, in connection with the assignment of any MERS Mortgage Loan, the Company agrees that it will cause, at its own expense, the MERS(R) System to indicate that such Mortgage Loans have been assigned by the Company to the Purchaser in accordance with this -16- Agreement by including (or deleting, in the case of Mortgage Loans which are repurchased in accordance with this Agreement) in such computer files the information required by the MERS(R) System to identify the Purchaser of such Mortgage Loans. Prior to the assignment of any MERS Mortgage Loan, the Purchaser will provide the Company with Purchaser's MERS registration number. The Company further agrees that it will not alter the information referenced in this paragraph with respect to any Mortgage Loan during the term of this Agreement unless and until such Mortgage Loan is repurchased in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Section 2.2 Books and Records; Transfers of Mortgage Loans. From and after the sale of the Mortgage Loans to the Purchaser all rights arising out of the Mortgage Loans including but not limited to all funds received on or in connection with the Mortgage Loans, shall be received and held by the Company in trust for the benefit of the Purchaser as owner of the Mortgage Loans, and the Company shall retain record title to the related Mortgages for the sole purpose of facilitating the servicing and the supervision of the servicing of the Mortgage Loans. The sale of each Mortgage Loan shall be reflected on the Company's balance sheet and other financial statements as a sale of assets by the Company. The Company shall be responsible for maintaining, and shall maintain, a complete set of books and records for each Mortgage Loan which shall be marked clearly to reflect the ownership of each Mortgage Loan by the Purchaser. In particular, the Company shall maintain in its possession, available for inspection by the Purchaser, or its designee, and shall deliver to the Purchaser upon demand, evidence of compliance with all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, and requirements of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, including but not limited to documentation as to the method used in determining the applicability of the provisions of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended, to the Mortgaged Property, documentation evidencing insurance coverage and eligibility of any condominium project for approval by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and records of periodic inspections as required by Section 4.13. To the extent that original documents are not required for purposes of realization of Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds, documents maintained by the Company may be in the form of microfilm or microfiche or such other reliable means of recreating original documents, including but not limited to, optical imagery techniques so long as the Company complies with the requirements of the Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Selling and Servicing Guide, as amended from time to time. The Company shall maintain with respect to each Mortgage Loan and shall make available for inspection by any Purchaser or its designee the related Servicing File during the time the Purchaser retains ownership of a Mortgage Loan and thereafter in accordance with Applicable Law. The Company shall keep at its servicing office books and records in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall note transfers of Mortgage Loans. No transfer of a Mortgage Loan may be made unless such transfer is in compliance with the terms hereof. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall be under no obligation to deal with any Person with respect to this Agreement or the Mortgage Loans unless the books and records show such Person as the owner of the Mortgage Loan. The -17- Purchaser may, subject to the terms of this Agreement, sell and transfer one or more of the Mortgage Loans. The Purchaser also shall advise the Company of the transfer. Upon receipt of notice of the transfer, the Company shall mark its books and records to reflect the ownership of the Mortgage Loans of such assignee, and shall release the previous Purchaser from its obligations hereunder with respect to the Mortgage Loans sold or transferred. Such notification of a transfer shall include a final loan schedule which shall be received by the Company no fewer than five (5) Business Days before the monthly Determination Date. If such notification is not received as specified above, the Company's duties to remit and report to the new purchaser(s) as required by Section 5 shall begin with the first Determination Date after the Reconstitution Date. Section 2.3 Delivery of Documents Pursuant to the Custodial Agreement delivered to the Purchaser prior to or contemporaneously with the delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver and release to the Custodian those Mortgage Loan Documents as required by the Custodial Agreement and by this Agreement with respect to each Mortgage Loan. The Custodian shall certify its receipt of all such Mortgage Loan Documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Custodial Agreement. The Company will be responsible for the Custodian's fees and expenses with respect to the delivery and certification of those Mortgage Loan Documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Custodial Agreement. The Company will be responsible for the fees and expenses related to the recording of the initial Assignments of Mortgage (including any fees and expenses related to any preparation and recording of any intervening or prior assignments of the Mortgage Loans to the Company or to any prior owners of or mortgagees with respect to the Mortgage Loans). The Purchaser will be responsible for the Custodian's fees and expenses with respect to the initial inventory and maintenance of the Mortgage Loans on or after the related Closing Date, including the costs associated with clearing exceptions. Within 180 days after the related Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to the Custodian each of the documents described in Exhibit B not delivered pursuant to the Agreement. Upon the occurrence of the events described in Section 9.1(h), Section 11.2 or Section 11.3 of this Agreement or in the event the Company fails to allow the Purchaser access to the Retained Mortgage File as required pursuant to Section 2.5 (each such occurrence, a "Delivery Event"), the Company shall deliver to the Custodian the additional documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Custodial Agreement within the time period specified therein. All of the provisions of this Section 2.3 relating to a failure to deliver required documentation, delays in such delivery and the delivery of defective documentation shall apply equally to any obligation on the part of the Company to deliver documents which arises after the related Closing Date upon the occurrence of a Delivery Event. The Company shall pay all initial recording fees for the Assignments of Mortgage and any other fees in connection with the transfer of all original documents to the Purchaser or its designee. The Company shall prepare, in recordable form, all Assignments of Mortgage necessary to assign the Mortgage Loans to the Purchaser, or its designee. The Company shall be responsible for recording the Assignments of Mortgage. -18- The Company shall forward to the Custodian original documents evidencing an assumption, modification, consolidation or extension of any Mortgage Loan entered into in accordance with Section 4.1 or 6.1 within one week of their execution, provided, however, that the Company shall provide the Custodian with a certified true copy of any such document submitted for recordation within ten (10) days of its execution, and shall provide the original of any document submitted for recordation or a copy of such document certified by the appropriate public recording office to be a true and complete copy of the original within 60 days of its submission for recordation. In the event the public recording office is delayed in returning any original document, which the Company is required to deliver at any time to the Custodian in accordance with the terms of the Custodial Agreement or which the Company is required to maintain in the Retained Mortgage File, the Company shall deliver to the Custodian or to the Retained Mortgage File, as applicable, within 240 days of its submission for recordation, a copy of such document and an Officer's Certificate, which shall (i) identify the recorded document; (ii) state that the recorded document has not been delivered to the Custodian due solely to a delay by the public recording office, (iii) state the amount of time generally required by the applicable recording office to record and return a document submitted for recordation, and (iv) specify the date the applicable recorded document will be delivered to the Custodian. The Company will be required to deliver the document to the Custodian by the date specified in (iv) above. An extension of the date specified in (iv) above may be requested from the Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the originals or certified copies required in this Section 2.3 are not delivered as required within 180 days following the related Closing Date or as otherwise extended as set forth above, or within the designated time period, following any date subsequent to the related Closing Date as of which the Company becomes obligated to deliver additional documents from its Retained Mortgage File pursuant to the Custodial Agreement, the related Mortgage Loan shall, upon request of the Purchaser, be repurchased by the Company in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof; provided, however, that the foregoing repurchase obligation shall not apply in the event the Company cannot deliver such items due to a delay caused by the recording office in the applicable jurisdiction; provided that the Company shall deliver instead a recording receipt of such recording office or, if such recording receipt is not available, an Officer's Certificate from the Company confirming that such documents have been accepted for recording. Any such document shall be delivered to the Purchaser or its designee promptly upon receipt thereof from the related recording office. If the Company, the Purchaser or the Custodian finds any document or documents constituting a part of a Retained Mortgage File or the Custodial Mortgage File pertaining to a Mortgage Loan to be defective (or missing) in any material respect (regardless of whether the Company was required to deliver such document(s) to the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or whether such document(s) were to remain in the possession of the Company), and such defect or missing document materially and adversely affects the value of the related Mortgage Loan or the interests of the Purchaser therein, the party discovering such defect shall promptly so notify the Company. The Company shall have a period of 90 days after receipt of such written notice within which to correct or cure any such defect. The Company hereby covenants and agrees that, if any material defect cannot be corrected or cured, the Company will, -19- upon the expiration of the applicable cure period described above, repurchase the related Mortgage Loan in the manner set forth in Section 3.3; provided, however, that with respect to any Mortgage Loan, if such defect constitutes a Qualification Defect, any such repurchase must take place within 75 days of the date such defect is discovered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Mortgage Loan, if, at the end of such 90-day period, the Company delivers an Officer's Certificate to the Purchaser certifying that the Company is using good faith efforts to correct or cure such defect and identifying progress made, then the Purchaser shall grant the Company an extension to correct or cure such defect. The extension shall not extend beyond (1) the date that is 75 days after the date the defect is discovered, or, (2) if the defect is not a Qualification Defect (as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel), the date that is 30 days beyond the original 90-day cure period. If the defect is not a Qualification Defect, additional 30-day extensions may be obtained pursuant to the same procedure, as long as the Company demonstrates continued progress toward a correction or cure; provided that no extension shall be granted beyond 180 days from the date on which the Company received the original notice of the defect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Mortgage Loan, the failure of the Purchaser to notify the Company of any defective or missing document in either the Retained Mortgage File or Custodial Mortgage File within such 90-day period, or the failure of the Purchaser to require the Company to cure or repurchase the related Mortgage Loan upon expiration of such 90-day period, shall not constitute a waiver of its rights hereunder, including the rights with respect to a Mortgage Loan, to require the Company to repurchase the affected Mortgage Loan and the right to indemnification pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof. In the event that new, replacement, substitute or additional Stock Certificates are issued with respect to existing Cooperative Shares, the Company immediately shall deliver to the Custodian the new Stock Certificates, together with the related Stock Powers in blank. Such new Stock Certificates shall be subject to the related Pledge Instruments and shall be subject to all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement. Section 2.4 Mortgage Schedule. The Company shall provide the Purchaser with certain information constituting a listing of the Mortgage Loans, in each Mortgage Loan Package, to be purchased under this Agreement (the "Mortgage Loan Schedule"). The Mortgage Loan Schedule shall conform to the definition of "Mortgage Loan Schedule" hereunder. Section 2.5 Examination of Custodial Mortgage Files. Prior to the related Closing Date, the Company shall (a) deliver to the Purchaser in escrow, for examination, the Custodial Mortgage File for each Mortgage Loan, including a copy of the Assignment of Mortgage, pertaining to each Mortgage Loan, or (b) make the Custodial Mortgage Files available to the Purchaser for examination at the Company's offices or such other location as shall otherwise be agreed upon by the Purchaser and the Company. Such examination may be made by the Purchaser at any time (which is reasonably acceptable to the -20- Purchaser and Company) before or after the related Closing Date or by any prospective purchaser of the Mortgage Loans from the Purchaser, at any time after the Closing Date upon prior reasonable notice to the Company. The fact that the Purchaser or any prospective purchaser of the Mortgage Loans has conducted or has failed to conduct any partial or complete examination of the Custodial Mortgage Files shall not affect the Purchaser's (or any of its successor's) rights to demand repurchase, substitution or other relief as provided under this Agreement. The Company shall make the Retained Mortgage Files available to the Purchaser for examination at the Company's offices or such other location as shall otherwise be agreed upon by the Purchaser and the Company. Such examination may be made by the Purchaser or by any prospective purchaser of the Mortgage Loans from the Purchaser, at any time before or after the related Closing Date upon prior reasonable notice to the Company. The fact that the Purchaser or any prospective purchaser of the Mortgage Loans has conducted or has failed to conduct any partial or complete examination of the Retained Mortgage Files shall not affect the Purchaser's (or any of its successor's) rights to demand repurchase, substitution or other relief as provided under this Agreement. Section 2.6 Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company. The Company agrees and acknowledges that it shall, as a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, make the representations and warranties specified in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 as of the related Closing Date. The Company, without conceding that the Mortgage Loans are securities, hereby makes the following additional representations, warranties and agreements which shall be deemed to have been made as of the related Closing Date: Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered, transferred, pledged, sold or otherwise disposed of any Mortgage Loans, any interest in any Mortgage Loans or any other similar security to, or solicited any offer to buy or accept a transfer, pledge or other disposition of any Mortgage Loans, any interest in any Mortgage Loans or any other similar security from, or otherwise approached or negotiated with respect to any Mortgage Loans, any interest in any Mortgage Loans or any other similar security with, any person in any manner, or made any general solicitation by means of general advertising or in any other manner, or taken any other action which would constitute a distribution of the Mortgage Loans under the Securities Act or which would render the disposition of any Mortgage Loans a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act or require registration pursuant thereto, nor will it act, nor has it authorized or will it authorize any person to act, in such manner with respect to the Mortgage Loans. Section 2.7 Representation, Warranties and Agreement of Purchaser. The Purchaser, without conceding that the Mortgage Loans are securities, hereby makes the following representations, warranties and agreements, which shall have been deemed to have been made as of the related Closing Date. (i) the Purchaser understands that the Mortgage Loans have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state; -21- (ii) the Purchaser is acquiring the Mortgage Loans for its own account only and not for any other person; and (iii) the Purchaser considers itself a substantial, sophisticated institutional investor having such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of investment in the Mortgage Loans. Section 2.8 Closing. The closing for the purchase and sale of the Mortgage Loans shall take place on the related Closing Date. At the Purchaser's option, each Closing shall be either: by telephone, confirmed by letter or wire as the parties shall agree; or conducted in person, at such place as the parties shall agree. The closing shall be subject to each of the following conditions: (i) all of the representations and warranties of the Company under this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the related Closing Date and no event shall have occurred which, with notice or the passage of time, would constitute a default under this Agreement; (ii) the Purchaser shall have received, or the Purchaser's attorneys shall have received in escrow, all Closing Documents as specified in Section 2.9 of this Agreement, in such forms as are agreed upon and acceptable to the Purchaser, duly executed by all signatories other than the Purchaser as required pursuant to the respective terms thereof; (iii) the Company shall have delivered and released to the Custodian all documents required pursuant to this Agreement and the Custodial Agreement; and (iv) all other terms and conditions of this Agreement shall have been complied with. Subject to the foregoing conditions, the Purchaser shall pay to the Company on the related Closing Date the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by the Company. Section 2.9 Closing Documents. The Closing Documents for the Mortgage Loans to be purchased on each Closing Date shall consist of fully executed originals of the following documents: (i) this Agreement (to be executed and delivered only for the initial Closing Date); -22- (ii) with respect to the initial Closing Date, the Custodial Agreement, dated as of the initial Cut-off Date; (iii) the related Mortgage Loan Schedule, segregated by Mortgage Loan Package, to be attached to the related Assignment and Conveyance as the Mortgage Loan Schedule thereto; (iv) a Custodian's Certification, as required under the Custodial Agreement; (v) an officer's certificate of the Company substantially in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto (with respect to the initial Closing Date); (vi) an Opinion of Counsel of the Company, in the form of Exhibit D hereto (with respect to the initial Closing Date); and (vii) Assignment and Conveyance Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto. ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REMEDIES AND BREACH Section 3.1 Company Representations and Warranties. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser that, as of the related Closing Date: (i) Due Organization and Authority. The Company is a national banking association duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States and has all licenses necessary to carry on its business as now being conducted and is licensed, qualified and in good standing in each state where a Mortgaged Property is located if the laws of such state require licensing or qualification in order to conduct business of the type conducted by the Company, and in any event the Company is in compliance with the laws of any such state to the extent necessary to ensure the enforceability of the related Mortgage Loan and the servicing of such Mortgage Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; the Company has the full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform in accordance herewith; the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (including all instruments of transfer to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement) by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized; this Agreement evidences the valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Company; and all requisite action has been taken by the Company to make this Agreement valid and binding upon the Company in accordance with its terms; -23- (ii) Ordinary Course of Business. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are in the ordinary course of business of the Company, which is in the business of selling and servicing loans, and the transfer, assignment and conveyance of the Mortgage Notes and the Mortgages by the Company pursuant to this Agreement are not subject to the bulk transfer or any similar statutory provisions in effect in any applicable jurisdiction; (iii) No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the acquisition of the Mortgage Loans by the Company, the sale of the Mortgage Loans to the Purchaser or the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement will conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, articles of incorporation or by-laws or any legal restriction or any agreement or instrument to which the Company is now a party or by which it is bound, or constitute a default or result in the violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree to which the Company or its property is subject, or impair the ability of the Purchaser to realize on the Mortgage Loans, or impair the value of the Mortgage Loans; (iv) Ability to Service. The Company is an approved seller/servicer of residential mortgage loans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with the facilities, procedures, and experienced personnel necessary for the sound servicing of mortgage loans of the same type as the Mortgage Loans. The Company is a HUD approved mortgagee pursuant to Section 203 of the National Housing Act and is in good standing to sell mortgage loans to and service mortgage loans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and no event has occurred, including but not limited to a change in insurance coverage, which would make the Company unable to comply with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac eligibility requirements or which would require notification to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; (v) Reasonable Servicing Fee. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Servicing Fee represents reasonable compensation for performing such services and that the entire Servicing Fee shall be treated by the Company, for accounting and tax purposes, as compensation for the servicing and administration of the Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Agreement; (vi) Ability to Perform. The Company does not believe, nor does it have any reason or cause to believe, that it cannot perform each and every covenant contained in this Agreement. The Company is solvent and the sale of the Mortgage Loans will not cause the Company to become insolvent. The sale of the Mortgage Loans is not undertaken to hinder, delay or defraud any of the Company's creditors; (vii) No Litigation Pending. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or threatened against the Company which, either in any one instance or in the aggregate, may result in any material adverse change in the business, operations, financial condition, properties or assets of the Company, or in any material impairment of the right or ability of the Company to carry on its -24- business substantially as now conducted, or in any material liability on the part of the Company, or which would draw into question the validity of this Agreement or the Mortgage Loans or of any action taken or to be contemplated herein, or which would be likely to impair materially the ability of the Company to perform under the terms of this Agreement; (viii) Selection Process. The Mortgage Loans were selected from among the outstanding adjustable rate and fixed rate one to four family mortgage loans in the Company's mortgage banking portfolio at the related Closing Date as to which the representations and warranties in Section 3.2 could be made and such selection was not made in a manner so as to affect adversely the interests of the Purchaser. (ix) No Consent Required. No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement or the sale of the Mortgage Loans as evidenced by the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or if required, such approval has been obtained prior to the related Closing Date; (x) No Untrue Information. Neither this Agreement nor any statement, report or other document furnished or to be furnished pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of fact or omits to state a fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading; (xi) Sale Treatment. The Company has determined that the disposition of the Mortgage Loans pursuant to this Agreement will be afforded sale treatment for accounting and tax purposes; (xii) No Material Change. There has been no material adverse change in the business, operations, financial condition or assets of the Company since the date of the Company's most recent financial statements; (xiii) No Brokers' Fees. The Company has not dealt with any broker, investment banker, agent or other Person that may be entitled to any commission or compensation in the connection with the sale of the Mortgage Loans; and (xiv) MERS Status. The Company is a member of MERS in good standing. Section 3.2 Representations and Warranties Regarding Individual Mortgage Loans. As to each Mortgage Loan, the Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser that as of the related Closing Date: -25- (i) Mortgage Loans as Described. The information set forth in the Mortgage Loan Schedule and the information contained on the electronic Data File is true and correct; (ii) Payment History. All payments required to be made up to the Cutoff Date for each Mortgage Loan under the terms of the Mortgage Note have been made and credited. No payment under any Mortgage Loan has been 30 days delinquent more than one time within twelve months prior to the related Closing Date; (iii) No Outstanding Charges. There are no defaults by the Company in complying with the terms of the Mortgage Note or Mortgage, and all taxes, governmental assessments, insurance premiums, leasehold payments, water, sewer and municipal charges, which previously became due and owing have been paid, or an escrow of funds has been established for every such item which remains unpaid and which has been assessed but is not yet due and payable. The Company has not advanced funds, or induced or solicited directly or indirectly, the payment of any amount required under the Mortgage Loan, except for interest accruing from the date of the Mortgage Note or date of disbursement of the Mortgage Loan proceeds, whichever is later, to the day which precedes by one month the Due Date of the first installment of principal and interest; (iv) Original Terms Unmodified. The terms of the Mortgage Note and Mortgage have not been impaired, waived, altered or modified in any respect, except by a written instrument which has been recorded, if necessary, to protect the interests of the Purchaser and the related Mortgage Note has been delivered to the Purchaser or its designee. The substance of any such waiver, alteration or modification has been approved by the mortgage insurer, if the Mortgage Loan is insured, the title insurer, to the extent required by the policy, and its terms are reflected on the Mortgage Loan Schedule. No Mortgagor has been released, in whole or in part. No Mortgage Loan has been modified so as to restructure the payment obligations or re-age the Mortgage Loan; (v) No Defenses. The Mortgage Loan is not subject to any right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense, including without limitation the defense of usury, nor will the operation of any of the terms of the Mortgage Note or the Mortgage, or the exercise of any right thereunder, render either the Mortgage Note or the Mortgage unenforceable, in whole or in part, or subject to any right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense, including without limitation the defense of usury, and no such right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim or defense has been asserted with respect thereto; (vi) No Satisfaction of Mortgage. The Mortgage has not been satisfied, canceled, subordinated or rescinded, in whole or in part, and the Mortgaged Property has not been released from the lien of the Mortgage, in whole or in part, nor has any instrument been executed that would effect any such satisfaction, release, cancellation, subordination or rescission; -26- (vii) Validity of Mortgage Documents. The Mortgage Note and the Mortgage and any other agreement executed and delivered by a Mortgagor in connection with a Mortgage Loan are genuine, and each is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the maker thereof enforceable in accordance with its terms (including, without limitation, any provisions therein relating to prepayment charges). All parties to the Mortgage Note and the Mortgage had legal capacity to enter into the Mortgage Loan and to execute and deliver the Mortgage Note and the Mortgage, and the Mortgage Note and the Mortgage have been duly and properly executed by such parties. With respect to each Cooperative Loan, the Mortgage Note, the Mortgage, the Pledge Agreement, and related documents are genuine, and each is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the maker thereof enforceable in accordance with its terms. All parties to the Mortgage Note, the Mortgage, the Pledge Agreement, the Proprietary Lease, the Stock Power, Recognition Agreement and the Assignment of Proprietary Lease had legal capacity to enter into the Mortgage Loan and to execute and deliver such documents, and such documents have been duly and properly executed by such parties; (viii) No Fraud. No error, omission, misrepresentation, negligence, fraud or similar occurrence with respect to a Mortgage Loan has taken place on the part of the Company, the Mortgagor, or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, any appraiser, any builder, or any developer, or any other party involved in the origination of the Mortgage Loan or in the application of any insurance in relation to such Mortgage Loan; (ix) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Any and all requirements of any federal, state or local law including, without limitation, usury, truth-in-lending, real estate settlement procedures, consumer credit protection, equal credit opportunity, predatory and abusive lending or disclosure laws applicable to the Mortgage Loan, including, without limitation, any provisions relating to prepayment charges, have been complied with, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not involve the violation of any such laws or regulations, and the Company shall maintain in its possession, available for the Purchaser's inspection, and shall deliver to the Purchaser upon demand, evidence of compliance with all such requirements. All inspections, licenses and certificates required to be made or issued with respect to all occupied portions of the Mortgaged Property and, with respect to the use and occupancy of the same, including but not limited to certificates of occupancy and fire underwriting certificates, have been made or obtained from the appropriate authorities; (x) Location and Type of Mortgaged Property. The Mortgaged Property is located in the state identified in the related Mortgage Loan Schedule and consists of a single parcel (or more than one contiguous parcels) of real property with a detached single family residence erected thereon, or a two- to four-family dwelling, or an individual condominium unit in a condominium project or a Cooperative Apartment, or an individual unit in a planned unit development or a townhouse. If the Mortgaged Property is a condominium unit -27- or a planned unit development (other than a de minimis planned unit development), such condominium, or planned unit development project meets the Company's eligibility requirements as set forth in the Company's underwriting guidelines. With respect to any Mortgage Loan secured by a Mortgaged Property improved by manufactured housing, (i) the related manufactured housing unit is permanently affixed to the land, (ii) the related manufactured housing unit and the related land are subject to a Mortgage properly filed in the appropriate public recording office and naming the Seller as mortgagee (iii) the related Mortgaged Property is not located in the state of New Jersey and (iv) such manufactured dwelling conforms the Underwriting Guidelines regarding such dwellings. As of the related appraisal date for each Mortgaged Property, no portion of any Mortgaged Property has been used for commercial purposes outside of the Company's underwriting guidelines; (xi) Valid First Lien. The Mortgage is a valid, subsisting and enforceable first lien on the Mortgaged Property, including all buildings on the Mortgaged Property and all installations and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems located in or annexed to such buildings, and all additions, alterations and replacements made at any time with respect to the foregoing. The lien of the Mortgage is subject only to: (a) the lien of current real property taxes and assessments not yet due and payable; (b) covenants, conditions and restrictions, rights of way, easements and other matters of the public record as of the date of recording acceptable to mortgage lending institutions generally and specifically referred to in the lender's title insurance policy or attorney's title opinion delivered to the originator of the Mortgage Loan and (i) referred to or otherwise considered in the appraisal made for the originator of the Mortgage Loan and (ii) which do not adversely affect the Appraised Value of the Mortgaged Property set forth in such appraisal; and (c) other matters to which like properties are commonly subject which do not materially interfere with the benefits of the security intended to be provided by the mortgage or the use, enjoyment, value or marketability of the related Mortgaged Property; Any security agreement, chattel mortgage or equivalent document related to and delivered in connection with the Mortgage Loan establishes and creates a valid, subsisting and enforceable first lien and first priority security interest on the property described therein and the Company has full right to sell and assign the same to the Purchaser; With respect to each Cooperative Loan, each Pledge Agreement creates a valid, enforceable and subsisting first security interest in the Cooperative Shares and Proprietary Lease, subject only to (i) the lien of the related Cooperative for unpaid -28- assessments representing the Mortgagor's pro rata share of the Cooperative's payments for its blanket mortgage, current and future real property taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance fees and other assessments to which like collateral is commonly subject and (ii) other matters to which like collateral is commonly subject which do not materially interfere with the benefits of the security intended to be provided by the Pledge Agreement; provided, however, that the appurtenant Proprietary Lease may be subordinated or otherwise subject to the lien of any mortgage on the Project; (xii) Full Disbursement of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Mortgage Loan have been fully disbursed, except for escrows established or created due to seasonal weather conditions, and there is no requirement for future advances thereunder. All costs, fees and expenses incurred in making or closing the Mortgage Loan and the recording of the Mortgage were paid, and the Mortgagor is not entitled to any refund of any amounts paid or due under the Mortgage Note or Mortgage; (xiii) Ownership. The Company is the sole owner of record and holder of the Mortgage Loan and the related Mortgage Note and the Mortgage are not assigned or pledged, and the Company has good and marketable title thereto and has full right and authority to transfer and sell the Mortgage Loan to the Purchaser. The Company is transferring the Mortgage Loan free and clear of any and all encumbrances, liens, pledges, equities, participation interests, claims, charges or security interests of any nature encumbering such Mortgage Loan; (xiv) Origination/Doing Business. The Mortgage Loan was originated by a savings and loan association, a savings bank, a commercial bank, a credit union, an insurance company, or similar institution which is supervised and examined by a federal or state authority or by a mortgagee approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to Sections 203 and 211 or the National Housing Act. All parties which have had any interest in the Mortgage Loan, whether as mortgagee, assignee, pledgee or otherwise, are (or, during the period in which they held and disposed of such interest, were) (1) in compliance with any and all applicable licensing requirements of the laws of the state wherein the Mortgaged Property is located, and any qualification requirements of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, and (2) organized under the laws of such state, or (3) qualified to do business in such state, or (4) federal savings and loan associations or national banks having principal offices in such state, or (5) not doing business in such state; (xv) Title Insurance. The Mortgage Loan is covered by an ALTA lender's title insurance policy or other generally acceptable form of policy of insurance acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, issued by a title insurer acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and qualified to do business in the jurisdiction where the Mortgaged Property is located, insuring the Company, its successors and assigns, as to the first priority lien of the Mortgage in the original principal amount of the Mortgage Loan, subject only to the exceptions contained in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph (xi) of this Section 3.2, and against any -29- loss by reason of the invalidity or unenforceability of the lien resulting from the provisions of the Mortgage providing for adjustment to the Mortgage Interest Rate and Monthly Payment; provided, however, that in the case of any Mortgage Loan secured by a Mortgaged Property located in a jurisdiction where such policies are generally not available, the Mortgage Loan is the subject of an opinion of counsel of the type customarily rendered in such jurisdiction in lieu of title insurance. The Company is the sole insured of such lender's title insurance policy, and such lender's title insurance policy is in full force and effect and will be in force and effect upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No claims have been made under such lender's title insurance policy, and no prior holder of the Mortgage, including the Company, has done, by act or omission, anything which would impair the coverage of such lender's title insurance policy; (xvi) No Mechanics' Liens. There are no mechanics' or similar liens or claims which have been filed for work, labor or material (and no rights are outstanding that under the law could give rise to such liens) affecting the related Mortgaged Property which are or may be liens prior to, or equal or coordinate with, the lien of the related Mortgage which are not insured against by the title insurance policy referenced in clause (xv) above; (xvii) Location of Improvements; No Encroachments. Except as insured against by the title insurance policy referenced in clause (xv) above, all improvements which were considered in determining the Appraised Value of the Mortgaged Property lay wholly within the boundaries and building restriction lines of the Mortgaged Property and no improvements on adjoining properties encroach upon the Mortgaged Property. No improvement located on or being part of the Mortgaged Property is in violation of any applicable zoning law or regulation; (xviii) Customary Provisions. The Mortgage and the related Mortgage Note contain customary and enforceable provisions such as to render the rights and remedies of the holder thereof adequate for the realization against the Mortgaged Property of the benefits of the security provided thereby, including, (i) in the case of a Mortgage designated as a deed of trust, by trustee's sale, and (ii) otherwise by judicial foreclosure. There is no homestead or other exemption available to a Mortgagor which would interfere with the right to sell the Mortgaged Property at a trustee's sale or the right to foreclose the Mortgage; (xix) Occupancy of the Mortgaged Property. As of the date of origination, the Mortgaged Property was lawfully occupied under Applicable Law; (xx) No Additional Collateral. Except in the case of a Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan and as indicated on the related Data File, the Mortgage Note is not and has not been secured by any collateral, pledged account or other security -30- except the lien of the corresponding Mortgage and the security interest of any applicable security agreement or chattel mortgage referred to in (xi) above; (xxi) Deeds of Trust. In the event that the Mortgage constitutes a deed of trust, a trustee, duly qualified under Applicable Law to serve as such, has been properly designated and currently so serves and is named in the Mortgage, and no fees or expenses are or will become payable by the Mortgagee to the trustee under the deed of trust, except in connection with a trustee's sale after default by the Mortgagor; (xxii) Transfer of Mortgage Loans. As to any Mortgage Loan which is not a MERS Mortgage Loan, the Assignment of Mortgage is in recordable form and is acceptable for recording under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged Property is located; (xxiii) Mortgaged Property Undamaged. The Mortgaged Property is undamaged by waste, water, fire, earthquake or earth movement, windstorm, flood, hurricane, tornado or other casualty so as to affect adversely the value of the Mortgaged Property as security for the Mortgage Loan or the use for which the premises were intended; (xxiv) Collection Practices; Escrow Deposits. The origination and collection practices used with respect to the Mortgage Loan have been in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices, and have been in all material respects legal and proper, and in accordance with the terms of the Mortgage Note and Mortgage. All Escrow Payments have been collected in full compliance with state and federal law. An escrow of funds is not prohibited by Applicable Law and has been established to pay for every item that remains unpaid and has been assessed but is not yet due and payable. No escrow deposits or Escrow Payments or other charges or payments due the Company have been capitalized under the Mortgage Note. All Mortgage Interest Rate adjustments have been made in compliance with state and federal law and the terms of the related Mortgage and Mortgage Note on the related Interest Rate Adjustment Date; (xxv) No Condemnation. To the best of Company's knowledge, there is no proceeding pending or threatened for the total or partial condemnation of the related Mortgaged Property; (xxvi) The Appraisal. The Mortgage Loan Documents contain an appraisal of the related Mortgaged Property, As to each Time$aver(R) Mortgage Loan, the appraisal may be from the original of the existing Company-serviced loan, which was refinanced via such Time$aver(R) Mortgage Loan. The appraisal was conducted by an appraiser who had no interest, direct or indirect, in the Mortgaged Property or in any loan made on the security thereof; and whose compensation is not affected by the approval or disapproval of the Mortgage Loan, and the appraisal and the appraiser both satisfy the applicable requirements of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; -31- (xxvii) Insurance. The Mortgaged Property securing each Mortgage Loan is insured by an insurer acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac against loss by fire, such hazards as are covered under a standard extended coverage endorsement and such other hazards as are customary in the area where the Mortgaged Property is located pursuant to insurance policies conforming to the requirements of Section 4.10, in an amount which is at least equal the lesser of (a) 100% of the insurable value, on a replacement cost basis, of the improvements on the related Mortgaged Property and (b) the greater of (i) the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loan or (ii) an amount such that the proceeds of such insurance shall be sufficient to prevent the application to the Mortgagor or the loss payee of any coinsurance clause under the policy. If the Mortgaged Property is a condominium unit, it is included under the coverage afforded by a blanket policy for the project; the insurance policy contains a standard clause naming the originator of such mortgage loan, its successor and assigns, as insured mortgagee; if upon origination of the Mortgage Loan, the improvements on the Mortgaged Property were in an area identified in the Federal Register by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood hazards, a flood insurance policy meeting the requirements of the current guidelines of the Federal Insurance Administration is in effect with a generally acceptable insurance carrier, in an amount representing coverage not less than the least of (A) the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loan, (B) the full insurable value and (C) the maximum amount of insurance which was available under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended. All individual insurance policies contain a standard mortgagee clause naming the Company and its successors and assigns as mortgagee and all premiums thereon have been paid. The Mortgage obligates the Mortgagor thereunder to maintain all such insurance at the Mortgagor's cost and expense, and on the Mortgagor's failure to do so, authorizes the holder of the Mortgage to obtain and maintain such insurance at such Mortgagor's cost and expense, and to seek reimbursement therefor from the Mortgagor. The hazard insurance policy is the valid and binding obligation of the insurer, is in full force and effect, and will be in full force and effect and inure to the benefit of the Purchaser upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Company has not acted or failed to act so as to impair the coverage of any such insurance policy or the validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof; (xxviii) Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The Mortgagor has not notified the Company, and the Company has no knowledge of any relief requested or allowed to the Mortgagor under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, as amended; (xxix) Payment Terms. The Mortgage Note is payable on the first day of each month in equal monthly installments of principal and interest, which installments of interest are subject to change due to the adjustments to the Mortgage Interest Rate on each Interest Rate Adjustment Date, with interest calculated and payable in arrears, sufficient to amortize the Mortgage Loan fully by the stated maturity date, over an original term of not more than thirty years -32- from origination and once the amortization period starts, payments are calculated to fully amortize by maturity. No Mortgage Loan has a shared appreciation or other contingent interest feature, or permits negative amortization. The Mortgage Interest Rate as well as the Lifetime Rate Cap and the Periodic Rate Cap for each Mortgage Loan are as set forth for such Mortgage Loan in the Mortgage Loan Schedule; (xxx) No Defaults. Except with respect to delinquencies identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule, there is no default, breach, violation or event of acceleration existing under any Mortgage or Mortgage Note and no event that, with the passage of time or with notice and the expiration of any grace or cure period, would constitute a default, breach, violation or event of acceleration, and the Company has not waived any default, breach, violation or event of acceleration; (xxxi) Loan-to-Value Ratio; Modifications; No Foreclosures. The Loan-to-Value Ratio of each Mortgage Loan was less than 100% at the time of its origination or refinancing, as applicable. No Mortgage Loan is subject to a written foreclosure agreement or pending foreclosure proceedings; (xxxii) PMI. Each Mortgage Loan with an LTV at origination in excess of 80% will be subject to a PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy, issued by an insurer acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, in at least such amounts as are required by the Underwriting Guidelines. All provisions of such PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy have been and are being complied with, such policy is in full force and effect, and all premiums due thereunder have been paid. Any Mortgage subject to any such PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy obligates the Mortgagor or Company, as applicable, to maintain such insurance and to pay all premiums and charges in connection therewith unless terminable in accordance with Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae standards or Applicable Law; (xxxiii) Underwriting Guidelines. The Mortgage Loan was underwritten in accordance with the Company's underwriting guidelines in effect at the time of origination with exceptions thereto exercised in a reasonable manner; (xxxiv) No Bankruptcy. To the best of the Company's knowledge, no Mortgagor was a debtor in any state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding at the time the Mortgage Loan was originated and as of the related Closing Date, the Company has not received notice that any Mortgagor is a debtor under any state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding. (xxxv) [RESERVED] (xxxvi) Comparable Custodial Mortgage Loan File. Each document or instrument in the related Custodial or Retained Mortgage File, whether delivered to the Custodian or not is in a form generally acceptable to prudent mortgage -33- lenders that regularly originate or purchase mortgage loans comparable to the Mortgage Loans for sale to prudent investors in the secondary market that invest in mortgage loans such as the Mortgage Loans; (xxxvii) Contents of the Retained Mortgage File. The Retained Mortgage File contains the documents listed in items (6) through (10) of Exhibit B; (xxxviii) HOEPA. No Mortgage Loan is a High Cost Loan or Covered Loan; (xxxix) Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Company, in its capacity as servicer for each Mortgage Loan, has fully furnished, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and its implementing regulations, accurate and complete information (e.g., favorable and unfavorable) on its borrower credit files to Equifax, Experian and Trans Union Credit Information Company (three of the credit repositories), on a monthly basis; (xl) No Arbitration. No Mortgage Loan originated on or after August 1, 2004 requires the related Mortgagor to submit to arbitration to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Mortgage Loan transaction; (xli) Subsidy Mortgage Loans. With respect to each Mortgage Loan that is a Subsidy Mortgage Loan: (1) On or before the date of origination of such Mortgage Loan, the Company and the Mortgagor, or the Company, the Mortgagor and the employer of the Mortgagor entered into a Subsidy Agreement. The Subsidy Agreement provides that the employer of the Mortgagor shall deliver to the Company temporary Subsidy Funds in an amount equal to the aggregate undiscounted amount of payments that, when added to the amount the Mortgagor on such Mortgage Loan is obligated to pay on each Due Date in accordance with the terms of the Subsidy Agreement, is equal to the full scheduled Monthly Payment due on such Mortgage Loan. The temporary Subsidy Funds enable the Mortgagor to qualify for the Subsidy Mortgage Loan. The effective interest rate of a Subsidy Mortgage Loan if less than the interest rate set forth in the related Mortgage Note will increase within the Subsidy Period as provided in the related Subsidy Agreement so that the effective interest rate will be equal to the interest rate as set forth in the related Mortgage Note. All Subsidy Funds required to make the full payment of principal and interest under each Subsidy Loan are in the Subsidy Account held by the Company in its capacity as servicer. The Subsidy Mortgage Loan satisfies the Underwriting Guidelines; (2) The Mortgage and Mortgage Note reflect the permanent payment terms rather than the payment terms of the Subsidy Agreement. The Subsidy Agreement provides for the payment by the Mortgagor of the full amount of the Monthly Payment on any Due Date that the Subsidy Funds are not available. The -34- Subsidy Funds were not used to reduce the original principal balance of the Mortgage Loan or to increase the Appraised Value of the Mortgage Property when calculating the Loan-to-Value Ratios for purposes of the Agreement; (3) The Subsidy Funds may not be refunded to the Mortgagor unless the Mortgagor makes a principal payment for the outstanding balance of the Mortgage Loan; (xlii) No Credit Insurance Policies. No Mortgagor was required to purchase any credit life, disability, accident or health insurance product as a condition of obtaining the extension of credit. No Mortgagor was required to obtain a prepaid single premium credit life, disability, accident or health insurance policy in connection with the origination of the Mortgage Loan; No proceeds from any Mortgage Loan were used to purchase single premium credit insurance policies as part of the origination of, or as a condition to closing, such Mortgage Loan; (xliii) Prepayment Penalty Term. No Mortgage Loan originated on or after October 1, 2002, will impose a prepayment premium for a term in excess of three years after its origination. No Mortgage Loan originated before October 1, 2002, will impose a prepayment premium for a term in excess of five years after its origination; (xliv) Tax Service Contract; Flood Certification Contract. Each Mortgage Loan shall have a tax service contract and, if applicable, a flood insurance contract which shall have a term of the life of the Mortgage Loan. Each such tax service and flood insurance contract shall be fully transferable without penalty, premium or cost to the Purchaser or its designee, unless, with respect to tax service contract, the Company is terminated pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof; (xlv) Violation of Environmental Laws. There is no pending action or proceeding directly involving any Mortgaged Property of which the Company is aware in which compliance with any environmental law, rule or regulation is an issue; and to the best of the Company's knowledge, nothing further remains to be done to satisfy in full all requirements of each such law, rule or regulation constituting a prerequisite to use and enjoyment of said property; (xlvi) Buydown Mortgage Loans. With respect to each Mortgage Loan that is a Buydown Mortgage Loan: (1) On or before the date of origination of such Mortgage Loan, the Company and the Mortgagor, or the Company, the Mortgagor and the seller of the Mortgaged Property or a third party entered into a Buydown Agreement. The Buydown Agreement provides that the seller of the Mortgaged Property (or third party) shall deliver to the Company temporary Buydown Funds in an amount equal to the aggregate undiscounted amount of payments that, when added to the amount the Mortgagor on such Mortgage Loan is obligated to pay on each Due -35- Date in accordance with the terms of the Buydown Agreement, is equal to the full scheduled Monthly Payment due on such Mortgage Loan. The temporary Buydown Funds enable the Mortgagor to qualify for the Buydown Mortgage Loan. The effective interest rate of a Buydown Mortgage Loan if less than the interest rate set forth in the related Mortgage Note will increase within the Buydown Period as provided in the related Buydown Agreement so that the effective interest rate will be equal to the interest rate as set forth in the related Mortgage Note. All Buydown Funds required to make the full payment of principal and interest under each Buydown Loan are in the Buydown Account held by the Company in its capacity as servicer. The Buydown Mortgage Loan satisfies the requirements the Underwriting Guidelines; (2) The Mortgage and Mortgage Note reflect the permanent payment terms rather than the payment terms of the Buydown Agreement. The Buydown Agreement provides for the payment by the Mortgagor of the full amount of the Monthly Payment on any Due Date that the Buydown Funds are not available. The Buydown Funds were not used to reduce the original principal balance of the Mortgage Loan or to increase the Appraised Value of the Mortgage Property when calculating the Loan-to-Value Ratios for purposes of the Agreement; (3) The Buydown Funds may not be refunded to the Mortgagor unless the Mortgagor makes a principal payment for the outstanding balance of the Mortgage Loan; As of the date of origination of the Mortgage Loan, the provisions of the related Buydown Agreement complied with the Underwriting Guidelines. (xlvii) Interest Calculation. Interest on each Mortgage Loan is calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months; (xlviii) The Mortgagor. The Mortgagor is one or more natural persons and/or trustees for an Illinois land trust or a trustee under a "living trust" and such "living trust" is in compliance with the Underwriting Guidelines; (xlix) No Construction Loans. No Mortgage Loan was made in connection with (i) the construction or rehabilitation of a Mortgage Property or (ii) facilitating the trade-in or exchange of a Mortgaged Property other than a construction-to-permanent loan which has converted to a permanent Mortgage Loan; (l) Balloon Payments, Graduated Payments or Contingent Interests. No Mortgage Loan is a graduated payment mortgage loan and no Mortgage Loan has a shared appreciation or other contingent interest feature. If a Mortgage Loan has a balloon payment feature, the Mortgage Note is payable in monthly payments based on a fifteen- or thirty-year amortization schedule and a final monthly payment substantially greater than the preceding monthly payment which is sufficient to amortize the remaining principal of the Mortgage Loan; -36- (li) Ground Leases. With respect to each Mortgage Loan that is secured in whole or in part by the interest of the mortgagor as a lessee under a ground lease of the related Mortgaged Property (a "Ground Lease") and not by a fee interest in such Mortgaged Property and as further specified in the underwriting guidelines of the Company: (a) The mortgagor is the owner of a valid and subsisting interest as tenant under the Ground Lease; (b) The Ground Lease is in full force and effect, unmodified and not supplemented by any writing or otherwise; (c) The Company has not received notice of default by the mortgagor under the Ground Lease or of circumstances which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute an event of default; (d) The term of the Ground Lease exceeds the maturity date of the related Mortgage Loan by at least five years; (e) The Ground Lease or a memorandum thereof has been recorded and by its terms permits the leasehold estate to be mortgaged; (f) The Ground Lease does not contain any default provisions that could give rise to forfeiture or termination of the Ground Lease except for the non-payment of the Ground Lease rents; (g) The execution, delivery and performance of the Mortgage do not require the consent (other than those consents which have been obtained and are in full force and effect) under, and will not contravene any provision of or cause a default under, the Ground Lease; and (h) The Ground Lease provides that the leasehold can be transferred, mortgaged and sublet an unlimited number of times either without restriction or on payment of a reasonable fee and delivery of reasonable documentation to the lessor. (lii) Conversion. The Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan is not a Convertible Mortgage Loan; (liii) Anti-Money Laundering Laws. With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Company has complied with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations (the "Anti-Money Laundering Laws"), and has established an anti-money laundering compliance program as required by the applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and maintains, and will maintain, sufficient information to identify the applicable Mortgagor for purposes of the Anti-Money Laundering Laws; and -37- (liv) Due on Sale. The Mortgage or Mortgage Note contains an enforceable provision, to the extent not prohibited by federal law, for the acceleration of the payment of the unpaid principal balance of the related Mortgage Loan in the event the related Mortgaged Property is sold without the prior consent of the mortgagee thereunder; provided that, with respect to Mortgage Notes which bear an adjustable rate of interest, such provision shall not be enforceable if the Mortgagor causes to be submitted to the Company to evaluate the intended transferee as if a new Mortgage Loan were being made to such transferee, and the Company reasonably determines that the security will not be impaired by such Mortgage Loan assumption and that the risk of breach of any covenant or agreement in such Mortgage is acceptable to the Purchaser. (lv) Cooperative Loans. With respect to each Cooperative Loan: (i) The Cooperative Shares are held by a Person as a tenant-stockholder in a Cooperative. Each original UCC financing statement, continuation statement or other governmental filing or recordation necessary to create or preserve the perfection and priority of the first lien and security interest in the Cooperative Loan and Proprietary Lease has been timely and properly made. Any security agreement, chattel mortgage or equivalent document related to the Cooperative Loan and delivered to Purchaser or its designee establishes in Purchaser a valid and subsisting perfected first lien on and security interest in the Mortgaged Property described therein, and Purchaser has full right to sell and assign the same; (ii) A Cooperative Lien Search has been made by a company competent to make the same which company is acceptable to Fannie Mae and qualified to do business in the jurisdiction where the Cooperative is located; (iii) (a) The term of the related Proprietary Lease is not less than the terms of the Cooperative Loan; (b) there is no provision in any Proprietary Lease which requires the Mortgagor to offer for sale the Cooperative Shares owned by such Mortgagor first to the Cooperative; (c) there is no prohibition in any Proprietary Lease against pledging the Cooperative Shares or assigning the Proprietary Lease; (d) the Cooperative has been created and exists in full compliance with the requirements for residential cooperatives in the jurisdiction in which the Project is located and qualifies as a cooperative housing corporation under Section 210 of the Code; (e) the Recognition Agreement is on a form published by Aztech Document Services, Inc. or includes similar provisions; and (f) the Cooperative has good and marketable title to the Project, and owns the Project either in fee simple or under a leasehold that complies with the requirements of Fannie Mae or -38- Freddie Mac; such title is free and clear of any adverse liens or encumbrances, except the lien of any blanket mortgage; (iv) The Company has the right under the terms of the Mortgage Note, Pledge Agreement and Recognition Agreement to pay any maintenance charges or assessments owed by the Mortgagor; and (v) Each Stock Power (i) has all signatures guaranteed or (ii) if all signatures are not guaranteed, then such Cooperative Shares will be transferred by the stock transfer agent of the Cooperative if the Company undertakes to convert the ownership of the collateral securing the related Cooperative Loan. (vi) Pledged Asset Mortgage Loans. With respect to each Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan: (i) The Pledge Holder has a rating of at least "AA" (or the equivalent) or better from at least two Rating Agencies and the Pledge Holder is obligated to give the beneficiary of each Letter of Credit at least sixty (60) days notice of any non-renewal of any Letter of Credit; (ii) With respect to each Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan, the Company is the named beneficiary and no Person has drawn any funds against such Letter of Credit; (iii) Each Letter of Credit is for an amount at least equal to 20% of the lesser of the Purchase Price or the Appraised Value of the related Mortgaged Property; (iv) As of the Closing Date, the Company has complied with all the requirements of any Letter of Credit, and each Letter of Credit is a valid and enforceable obligation of the Pledge Holder; (v) The Company has the right to draw on each Letter of Credit if the related Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent and to apply such proceeds as a partial prepayment thereon; (vi) The Company has not received notice of any non-renewal of any Letter of Credit; (vii) Upon a default by the Pledge Holder, the Company will have a perfected first priority security interest in the assets pledged to secure the Letter of Credit and has the right to obtain possession thereof and the right to liquidate such -39- assets and apply the proceeds thereof to prepay the related Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan; and (viii) The Letter of Credit is required to be in effect (either for its original term or through renewal) until such time as all amounts owed under the related Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan by the related Mortgagor are less than 80% of the lesser of the Purchase Price or the Appraised Value of the related Mortgaged Property. Section 3.3 Repurchase. It is understood and agreed that the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 shall survive the sale of the Mortgage Loans to the Purchaser and the delivery of the Mortgage Loan Documents to the Custodian and shall inure to the benefit of the Purchaser, notwithstanding any restrictive or qualified endorsement on any Mortgage Note or Assignment of Mortgage or the examination or failure to examine any Custodial Mortgage File or Retained Mortgage File. Upon discovery by either the Company or the Purchaser of a breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties which materially and adversely affects the value of the Mortgage Loans or the interest of the Purchaser (or which materially and adversely affects the interests of Purchaser in the related Mortgage Loan in the case of a representation and warranty relating to a particular Mortgage Loan), the party discovering such breach shall give prompt written notice to the other. Within 90 days of the earlier of either discovery by or notice to the Company of any breach of a representation or warranty which materially and adversely affects the value of the Mortgage Loans, (i) the Company shall use its best efforts promptly to cure such breach in all material respects and (ii) if such breach cannot be cured, the Company shall, at the Purchaser's option, repurchase such Mortgage Loan at the Repurchase Price. In the event that a breach shall involve any representation or warranty set forth in Section 3.1, and such breach cannot be cured within 90 days of the earlier of either discovery by or notice to the Company of such breach, all of the Mortgage Loans shall, at the Purchaser's option, be repurchased by the Company at the Repurchase Price. Any repurchase of a Mortgage Loan or Loans pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.3 shall be accomplished by deposit in the Custodial Account of the amount of the Repurchase Price as required in Section 4.4, for distribution to Purchaser on the Remittance Date immediately following the Principal Prepayment Period in which such Repurchase Price is received, after deducting therefrom any amount received in respect of such repurchased Mortgage Loan or Loans and being held in the Custodial Account for future distribution for application in accordance with Section 5.1. Notwithstanding the above paragraphs, within 60 days of the earlier of either discovery by, or notice to, the Company of any breach of the representations or warranties set forth in clauses, (xxxviii), (xxxix), (xl), (xlii) and (xliii) of Section 3.2, the Company shall repurchase such Mortgage Loan at the Repurchase Price. -40- If pursuant to the foregoing provisions the Company repurchases a Mortgage Loan that is a MERS Mortgage Loan, the Company shall either (i) cause MERS to execute and deliver an assignment of the Mortgage in recordable form to transfer the Mortgage from MERS to the Company on behalf of the Purchaser and shall cause such Mortgage to be removed from registration on the MERS(R) System in accordance with MERS' rules and regulations or (ii) cause MERS to designate on the MERS(R) System the Purchaser as the beneficial holder with respect to such Mortgage Loan. At the time of repurchase, the Purchaser and the Company shall arrange for the reassignment of the repurchased Mortgage Loan to the Company and the delivery to the Company of any documents held by the Custodian relating to the repurchased Mortgage Loan. In the event of a repurchase, the Company shall, simultaneously with such reassignment, give written notice to the Purchaser that such repurchase has taken place and amend the Mortgage Loan Schedule to reflect the withdrawal of the repurchased Mortgage Loan from this Agreement. In addition to such repurchase obligation, the Company shall indemnify the Purchaser and hold it harmless against any losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, reasonable and necessary legal fees and related costs, judgments, and other costs and expenses resulting from any claim, demand, defense or assertion based on or grounded upon, or resulting from, a breach of the Company's representations and warranties contained in this Agreement. It is understood and agreed that the obligations of the Company set forth in this Section 3.3 to cure or repurchase a defective Mortgage Loan and to indemnify the Purchaser as provided in this Section 3.3, constitute the sole remedies of the Purchaser respecting a breach of the foregoing representations and warranties. Any cause of action against the Company relating to or arising out of the breach of any representations and warranties made in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 shall accrue as to any Mortgage Loan upon the earliest of (i) discovery of such breach by the Company or the Purchaser or notice thereof by the Purchaser to the Company, (ii) failures by the Company to cure such breach or repurchase such Mortgage Loan as specified above, and (iii) demand upon the Company by the Purchaser for compliance with this Agreement. ARTICLE IV ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS Section 4.1 Company to Act as Servicer. The Company, as an independent contractor, shall service and administer the Mortgage Loans and shall have full power and authority, acting alone or through the utilization of a Subcontractor, to do any and all things in connection with such servicing and administration which the Company may deem necessary or desirable, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and with Accepted Servicing Practices. The Company shall be responsible for any and all acts of a Subcontractor, and the Company's utilization of a Subcontractor shall in no way relieve the liability of the Company under this Agreement. -41- Consistent with the terms of this Agreement and subject to the REMIC Provisions if the Mortgage Loans have been transferred to a REMIC, the Company may waive, modify or vary any term of any Mortgage Loan or consent to the postponement of strict compliance with any such term or in any manner grant indulgence to any Mortgagor if in the Company's reasonable and prudent determination such waiver, modification, postponement or indulgence is not materially adverse to the Purchaser. In the event of any such modification which permits the deferral of interest or principal payments on any Mortgage Loan, the Company shall, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Remittance Date in any month in which any such principal or interest payment has been deferred, deposit in the Custodial Account from its own funds, in accordance with Section 5.3, the difference between (a) such month's principal and one month's interest at the Mortgage Loan Remittance Rate on the unpaid principal balance of such Mortgage Loan and (b) the amount paid by the Mortgagor. The Company shall be entitled to reimbursement for such advances to the same extent as for all other advances made pursuant to Section 5.3. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall continue, and is hereby authorized and empowered, to execute and deliver on behalf of itself and the Purchaser, all instruments of satisfaction or cancellation, or of partial or full release, discharge and all other comparable instruments, with respect to the Mortgage Loans and with respect to the Mortgaged Properties. If reasonably required by the Company, the Purchaser shall furnish the Company with any powers of attorney and other documents necessary or appropriate to enable the Company to carry out its servicing and administrative duties under this Agreement. In servicing and administering the Mortgage Loans, the Company shall employ procedures (including collection procedures) and exercise the same care that it customarily employs and exercises in servicing and administering mortgage loans for its own account, giving due consideration to Accepted Servicing Practices where such practices do not conflict with the requirements of this Agreement, and the Purchaser's reliance on the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not waive a prepayment penalty except under the following circumstances: (i) such waiver would, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, maximize recovery of total proceeds taking into account the value of such prepayment penalty and the related Mortgage Loan and, if such waiver is made in connection with a refinancing of the related Mortgage Loan, such refinancing is related to a default or a reasonably foreseeable default; or (ii) the Company obtains a written Opinion of Counsel, which may be in-house counsel for the Company, opining that any prepayment penalty or charge is not legally enforceable in the circumstances under which the related Principal Prepayment occurs. In the event the Company waives any prepayment penalty, other than as set forth in (i) and (ii) above, the Company shall deposit the amount of any such prepayment penalty in the Custodial Account for distribution to the Purchaser on the next Remittance Date. The Company is authorized and empowered by the Purchaser, in its own name, when the Company believes it appropriate in its reasonable judgment to register any Mortgage Loan on the MERS(R) System, or cause the removal from the registration of any Mortgage Loan on the MERS(R) System, to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Purchaser, any and all instruments of assignment and other comparable instruments with respect to such assignment or re-recording of a Mortgage in the name of MERS, solely as nominee for the Purchaser and its successors and assigns. The Company will comply in all material respects with the rules and -42- procedures of MERS in connection with the servicing of the MERS Mortgage Loans for as long as such Mortgage Loans are registered with MERS. The Company shall cause to be maintained for each Cooperative Loan a copy of the financing statements and shall file and such financing statements and continuation statements as necessary, in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code applicable in the jurisdiction in which the related Cooperative Apartment is located, to perfect and protect the security interest and lien of the Purchaser. Section 4.2 Liquidation of Mortgage Loans. In the event that any payment due under any Mortgage Loan and not postponed pursuant to Section 4.1 is not paid when the same becomes due and payable, or in the event the Mortgagor fails to perform any other covenant or obligation under the Mortgage Loan and such failure continues beyond any applicable grace period, the Company shall take such action as (1) the Company would take under similar circumstances with respect to a similar mortgage loan held for its own account for investment, (2) shall be consistent with Accepted Servicing Practices, (3) the Company shall determine prudently to be in the best interest of Purchaser and (4) is consistent with any related PMI Policy or LPMI Policy. In the event that any payment due under any Mortgage Loan is not postponed pursuant to Section 4.1 and remains delinquent for a period of 90 days or any other default continues for a period of 90 days beyond the expiration of any grace or cure period, the Company shall commence foreclosure proceedings, the Company shall notify the Purchaser in writing of the Company's intention to do so, and the Company shall not commence foreclosure proceedings if the Purchaser objects to such action within three (3) Business Days of receiving such notice. In the event the Purchaser objects to such foreclosure action, the Company shall not be required to make Monthly Advances with respect to such Mortgage Loan, pursuant to Section 5.3, and the Company's obligation to make such Monthly Advances shall terminate on the 90th day referred to above. In such connection, the Company shall from its own funds make all necessary and proper Servicing Advances, provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to expend its own funds in connection with any foreclosure or towards the restoration or preservation of any Mortgaged Property, unless it shall determine (a) that such preservation, restoration and/or foreclosure will increase the proceeds of liquidation of the Mortgage Loan to Purchaser after reimbursement to itself for such expenses and (b) that such expenses will be recoverable by it either through Liquidation Proceeds (respecting which it shall have priority for purposes of withdrawals from the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.5) or through Insurance Proceeds (respecting which it shall have similar priority). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in connection with a foreclosure or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, in the event the Company has reasonable cause to believe that a Mortgaged Property is contaminated by hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, or if the Purchaser otherwise requests an environmental inspection or review of such Mortgaged Property, such an inspection or review is to be conducted by a qualified inspector. The cost for such inspection or review shall be borne by the Purchaser. Upon completion of the inspection or review, the Company shall promptly provide the Purchaser with a written report of the environmental inspection. -43- After reviewing the environmental inspection report, the Purchaser shall determine how the Company shall proceed with respect to the Mortgaged Property. In the event (a) the environmental inspection report indicates that the Mortgaged Property is contaminated by hazardous or toxic substances or wastes and (b) the Purchaser directs the Company to proceed with foreclosure or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the Company shall be reimbursed for all reasonable costs associated with such foreclosure or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure and any related environmental clean up costs, as applicable, from the related Liquidation Proceeds, or if the Liquidation Proceeds are insufficient to fully reimburse the Company, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed from amounts in the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof. In the event the Purchaser directs the Company not to proceed with foreclosure or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the Company shall be reimbursed for all Servicing Advances made with respect to the related Mortgaged Property from the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.5 hereof. Section 4.3 Collection of Mortgage Loan Payments. Continuously from the date hereof until the principal and interest on all Mortgage Loans are paid in full, the Company shall proceed diligently to collect all payments due under each of the Mortgage Loans when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with Accepted Servicing Practices, and shall, in accordance with RESPA and applicable state law, take special care in ascertaining and estimating Escrow Payments and all other charges that will become due and payable with respect to the Mortgage Loan and the Mortgaged Property, to the end that the installments payable by the Mortgagors will be sufficient to pay such charges as and when they become due and payable. Section 4.4 Establishment of and Deposits to Custodial Account. The Company shall segregate and hold all funds collected and received pursuant to a Mortgage Loan or a Letter of Credit separate and apart from any of its own funds and general assets and shall establish and maintain one or more Custodial Accounts, in the form of time deposit or demand accounts, titled "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in trust for the Purchaser of Residential Mortgage Loans serviced under the Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2005 - P & I", or as otherwise directed in writing by the Purchaser or its assigns after the related Closing Date in connection with any Whole Loan Transfer or Securitization Transaction. The Custodial Account shall be established with a Qualified Depository. Upon request of the Purchaser and within ten (10) days thereof, the Company shall provide the Purchaser with written confirmation of the existence of such Custodial Account. The Custodial Account shall at all times be insured to the fullest extent allowed by Applicable Law. Funds deposited in the Custodial Account may be drawn on by the Company in accordance with Section 4.5. The Company shall deposit in the Custodial Account within one Business Day (or two Business Days in the case of the amounts described in clauses (3) through (5) below) of the Company's receipt, and retain therein, the following collections received by the Company and -44- payments made by the Company after the related Cut-off Date, other than payments of principal and interest due on or before the related Cut-off Date: (1) all payments on account of principal on the Mortgage Loans, including all Principal Prepayments; (2) all payments on account of interest on the Mortgage Loans, adjusted to the Mortgage Loan Remittance Rate; (3) all Liquidation Proceeds; (4) all Insurance Proceeds including amounts required to be deposited pursuant to Section 4.10 (other than proceeds to be held in the Escrow Account and applied to the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property or released to the Mortgagor in accordance with Section 4.14), Section 4.11 and Section 4.15; (5) all Condemnation Proceeds which are not applied to the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property or released to the Mortgagor in accordance with Section 4.14; (6) any amount required to be deposited in the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.1, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1 or 6.2; (7) any amounts payable in connection with the repurchase of any Mortgage Loan pursuant to Section 2.3, 3.3 or 6.2; (8) with respect to each Principal Prepayment an amount (to be paid by the Company out of its funds) which, when added to all amounts allocable to interest received in connection with the Principal Prepayment, equals one month's interest on the amount of principal so prepaid at the Mortgage Loan Remittance Rate; (9) any amounts required to be deposited by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 in connection with the deductible clause in any blanket hazard insurance policy; (10) any amounts received with respect to or related to any REO Property and all REO Disposition Proceeds pursuant to Section 4.16; (11) an amount from the Buydown Account that when added to the Mortgagor's payment will equal the full monthly amount due under the related Mortgage Note; (12) an amount from the Subsidy Account that when added to the Mortgagor's payment will equal the full monthly amount due under the related Mortgage Note; and -45- (13) with respect to a Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan, any amounts required to be deposited by the Company pursuant to Section 4.25 of this Agreement in connection with a Letter of Credit. The foregoing requirements for deposit into the Custodial Account shall be exclusive, it being understood and agreed that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, payments in the nature of late payment charges and assumption fees, to the extent permitted by Section 6.1, need not be deposited by the Company into the Custodial Account. Any interest paid on funds deposited in the Custodial Account by the depository institution shall accrue to the benefit of the Company and the Company shall be entitled to retain and withdraw such interest from the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.5. The Company shall reimburse the Custodial Account for any losses incurred as a result of the investment of amounts on deposit in the Custodial Account. Section 4.5 Permitted Withdrawals From Custodial Account. The Company shall, from time to time, withdraw funds from the Custodial Account for the following purposes: (1) to make payments to the Purchaser in the amounts and in the manner provided for in Section 5.1; (2) to reimburse itself for Monthly Advances of the Company's funds made pursuant to Section 5.3, the Company's right to reimburse itself pursuant to this subclause (2) being limited to amounts received on the related Mortgage Loan which represent late payments of principal and/or interest respecting which any such advance was made, it being understood that, in the case of any such reimbursement, the Company's right thereto shall be prior to the rights of Purchaser, except that, where the Company is required to repurchase a Mortgage Loan pursuant to Section 2.3, 3.3 or 6.2, the Company's right to such reimbursement shall be subsequent to the payment to the Purchaser of the Repurchase Price pursuant to such sections and all other amounts required to be paid to the Purchaser with respect to such Mortgage Loan; (3) to reimburse itself for unreimbursed Servicing Advances, and for any unpaid Servicing Fees, the Company's right to reimburse itself pursuant to this subclause (3) with respect to any Mortgage Loan being limited to related Liquidation Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds and such other amounts as may be collected by the Company from the Mortgagor or otherwise relating to the Mortgage Loan, it being understood that, in the case of any such reimbursement, the Company's right thereto shall be prior to the rights of Purchaser, except that where the Company is required to repurchase a Mortgage Loan pursuant to Section 2.3, 3.3 or 6.2, in which case the Company's right to such reimbursement shall be subsequent to the payment to the Purchaser of the Repurchase Price pursuant to such sections and all other amounts required to be paid to the Purchaser with respect to such Mortgage Loan; -46- (4) to pay itself as servicing compensation any interest on funds deposited in the Custodial Account; (5) to reimburse itself for expenses incurred to the extent reimbursable pursuant to Section 8.1; (6) to pay any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.16 related to any REO Property, it being understood that, in the case of any such expenditure or withdrawal related to a particular REO Property, the amount of such expenditure or withdrawal from the Custodial Account shall be limited to amounts on deposit in the Custodial Account with respect to the related REO Property; (7) to reimburse itself for any Servicing Advances or REO expenses after liquidation of the Mortgaged Property not otherwise reimbursed above; (8) to reimburse the trustee with respect to any Securitization Transaction for any unreimbursed Monthly Advances or Servicing Advances made by the Trustee, as applicable, the right to reimbursement pursuant to this subclause (8) with respect to any Mortgage Loan being limited to related Liquidation Proceeds, proceeds of REO Dispositions, Condemnation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds and such other amounts as may be collected by the Company from the Mortgagor or otherwise relating to the Mortgage Loan, it being understood that, in the case of such reimbursement, such trustee's right thereto shall be prior to the rights of the Company to reimbursement under (2) and (3), and prior to the rights of the Purchaser under (1); (9) to remove funds inadvertently placed in the Custodial Account by the Company; and (10) to clear and terminate the Custodial Account upon the termination of this Agreement. In the event that the Custodial Account is interest bearing, on each Remittance Date, the Company shall withdraw all interest earned on funds on deposit in the Custodial Account. The Company may use such withdrawn funds only for the purposes described in this Section 4.5. Section 4.6 Establishment of and Deposits to Escrow Account. The Company shall segregate and hold all funds collected and received pursuant to a Mortgage Loan constituting Escrow Payments separate and apart from any of its own funds and general assets and shall establish and maintain one or more Escrow Accounts, in the form of time deposit or demand accounts, titled, "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in trust for the Purchaser under the Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement dated as of November 1, 2005 and/or subsequent purchasers of Mortgage Loans, and various Mortgagors - T & I." The Escrow Accounts shall be established with a Qualified Depository, in -47- a manner which shall provide maximum available insurance thereunder. Upon request of the Purchaser and within ten (10) days thereof, the Company shall provide the Purchaser with written confirmation of the existence of such Escrow Account. Funds deposited in the Escrow Account may be drawn on by the Company in accordance with Section 4.7. The Company shall deposit in the Escrow Account or Accounts within two (2) Business Days of the Company's receipt, and retain therein: (1) all Escrow Payments collected on account of the Mortgage Loans, for the purpose of effecting timely payment of any such items as required under the terms of this Agreement; (2) all amounts representing Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds which are to be applied to the restoration or repair of any Mortgaged Property; and (3) all amounts representing proceeds of any PMI Policy. The Company shall make withdrawals from the Escrow Account only to effect such payments as are required under this Agreement, as set forth in Section 4.7. The Company shall be entitled to retain any interest paid on funds deposited in the Escrow Account by the depository institution, other than interest on escrowed funds required by law to be paid to the Mortgagor. To the extent required by law, the Company shall pay interest on escrowed funds to the Mortgagor notwithstanding that the Escrow Account may be non-interest bearing or that interest paid thereon is insufficient for such purposes. The Company shall reimburse the Escrow Account for any losses incurred as a result of the investment of amounts on deposit in the Escrow Account. Section 4.7 Permitted Withdrawals From Escrow Account. Withdrawals from the Escrow Account or Accounts may be made by the Company only: (1) to effect timely payments of ground rents, taxes, assessments, water rates, mortgage insurance premiums, condominium charges, fire and hazard insurance premiums or other items constituting Escrow Payments for the related Mortgage; (2) to reimburse the Company for any Servicing Advances made by the Company pursuant to Section 4.8 with respect to a related Mortgage Loan, but only from amounts received on the related Mortgage Loan which represent late collections of Escrow Payments thereunder; (3) to refund to any Mortgagor any funds found to be in excess of the amounts required under the terms of the related Mortgage Loan; -48- (4) for transfer to the Custodial Account and application to reduce the principal balance of the Mortgage Loan in accordance with the terms of the related Mortgage and Mortgage Note; (5) for application to restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property in accordance with the procedures outlined in Section 4.14; (6) to pay to the Company, or any Mortgagor to the extent required by law, any interest paid on the funds deposited in the Escrow Account; (7) to remove funds inadvertently placed in the Escrow Account by the Company; (8) to apply the proceeds of PMI Policy as if such proceeds were payments on, or Liquidation Proceeds of, the related Mortgage Loan, as the case may be; (9) to clear and terminate the Escrow Account on the termination of this Agreement; and (10) to remit to Purchaser payments on account of Buydown Funds as applicable. Section 4.8 Payment of Taxes, Insurance and Other Charges. With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Company shall maintain accurate records reflecting the status of ground rents, taxes, assessments, water rates, sewer rents, and other charges which are or may become a lien upon the Mortgaged Property and fire and hazard insurance coverage and shall obtain, from time to time, all bills for the payment of such charges (including renewal premiums) and shall effect payment thereof prior to the applicable penalty or termination date, employing for such purpose deposits of the Mortgagor in the Escrow Account which shall have been estimated and accumulated by the Company in amounts sufficient for such purposes, as allowed under the terms of the Mortgage. The Company assumes full responsibility for the timely payment of all such bills and shall effect timely payment of all such charges irrespective of each Mortgagor's faithful performance in the payment of same or the making of the Escrow Payments, and the Company shall make advances from its own funds to effect such payments. Section 4.9 Protection of Accounts. The Company may transfer the Custodial Account, Buydown Account or Subsidy Account or the Escrow Account to a different Qualified Depository from time to time, upon prior written notice to the Purchaser. Section 4.10 Maintenance of Hazard Insurance. -49- The Company shall cause to be maintained for each Mortgage Loan hazard insurance such that all buildings upon the Mortgaged Property are insured by an insurer acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, against loss by fire, hazards of extended coverage and such other hazards as are customary in the area where the Mortgaged Property is located, in an amount which is at least equal to the lesser of (a) 100% the insurable value, on a replacement cost basis, of the improvements on the related Mortgaged Property and (b) the greater of (i) the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loan or (ii) an amount such that the proceeds of such insurance shall be sufficient to prevent the application of the Mortgagor or the loss payee of any coinsurance under the policy. In the event a hazard insurance policy shall be in danger of being terminated, or in the event the insurer shall cease to be acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the Company shall notify the Purchaser and the related Mortgagor, and shall use its best efforts, as permitted by Applicable Law, to obtain from another Qualified Insurer a replacement hazard insurance policy substantially and materially similar in all respects to the original policy. In no event, however, shall a Mortgage Loan be without a hazard insurance policy at any time, subject only to Section 4.11 hereof. If upon origination of the Mortgage Loan, the related Mortgaged Property was located in an area identified by the Flood Emergency Management Agency as having special flood hazards (and such flood insurance has been made available) a flood insurance policy meeting the requirements of the current guidelines of the Federal Insurance Administration is in effect with a generally acceptable insurance carrier acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, in an amount representing coverage equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum amount required, under the terms of coverage, to compensate for any damage or loss on a replacement cost basis (or the unpaid balance of the mortgage if replacement cost coverage is not available for the type of building insured) and (ii) the maximum amount of insurance which is available under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended. If a Mortgage is secured by a unit in a condominium project, the Company shall verify that the coverage required of the owner's association, including hazard, flood, liability, and fidelity coverage, is being maintained in accordance with then current Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac requirements, secure from the owner's association its agreement to notify the Company promptly of any change in the insurance coverage or of any condemnation or casualty loss that may have a material effect on the value of the Mortgaged Property as security. In the event that any Purchaser or the Company shall determine that the Mortgaged Property should be insured against loss or damage by hazards and risks not covered by the insurance required to be maintained by the Mortgagor pursuant to the terms of the Mortgage, the Company shall communicate and consult with the Mortgagor with respect to the need for such insurance and bring to the Mortgagor's attention the desirability of protection of the Mortgaged Property. All policies required hereunder shall name the Company as loss payee and shall be endorsed with standard or union mortgagee clauses, without contribution, which shall provide for at least 30 days prior written notice of any cancellation, reduction in amount or material change in coverage. -50- The Company shall not interfere with the Mortgagor's freedom of choice in selecting either his insurance carrier or agent, provided, however, that the Company shall not accept any such insurance policies from insurance companies unless such companies are acceptable to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and are licensed to do business in the jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged Property is located. The Company shall determine that such policies provide sufficient risk coverage and amounts, that they insure the property owner, and that they properly describe the property address. Pursuant to Section 4.4, any amounts collected by the Company under any such policies (other than amounts to be deposited in the Escrow Account and applied to the restoration or repair of the related Mortgaged Property, or property acquired in liquidation of the Mortgage Loan, or to be released to the Mortgagor, in accordance with the Company's normal servicing procedures as specified in Section 4.4) shall be deposited in the Custodial Account subject to withdrawal pursuant to Section 4.5. Section 4.11 Maintenance of PMI Policy; Claims. With respect to each Mortgage Loan with a LTV in excess of 80% at the time of origination, the Company shall, without any cost to the Purchaser, maintain or cause the Mortgagor to maintain in full force and effect a PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy insuring that portion of the Mortgage Loan as is required by the Underwriting Guidelines. The Company shall pay or shall cause the Mortgagor to pay the premium thereon on a timely basis, at least until the LTV of such Mortgage Loan is reduced to 80%, or such amount as required by Applicable Law. In the event that such PMI Policy shall be terminated, the Company shall obtain from another insurer a comparable replacement policy, with a total coverage equal to the remaining coverage of such terminated PMI Policy. If the insurer shall cease to be a qualified insurer, the Company shall determine whether recoveries under the PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy are jeopardized for reasons related to the financial condition of such insurer, it being understood that the Company shall in no event have any responsibility or liability for any failure to recover under the PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy for such reason. If the Company determines that recoveries are so jeopardized, it shall notify the Purchaser and the Mortgagor, if required, and obtain from another qualified insurer a replacement insurance policy. The Company will maintain or cause to be maintained in full force and effect any LPMI Policy issued by a Qualified Insurer with respect to each Mortgage Loan for which such coverage is in existence or is obtained. The Company shall not take any action which would result in noncoverage under any applicable PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy of any loss which, but for the actions of the Company would have been covered thereunder. In connection with any assumption or substitution agreement entered into or to be entered into pursuant to Subsection 6.1, the Company shall promptly notify the insurer under the related PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy, if any, of such assumption or substitution of liability in accordance with the terms of such PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy, and shall take all actions which may be required by such insurer as a condition to the continuation of coverage under such PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy. If such PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy is terminated as a result of such assumption or substitution of liability, the Company shall obtain a replacement PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy as provided above. -51- In connection with its activities as servicer, the Company agrees to prepare and present, on behalf of itself and the Purchaser, claims to the insurer under any PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms of such PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy, and, in this regard, to take such action as shall be necessary to permit recovery under any PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy respecting a defaulted Mortgage Loan. Pursuant to Section 4.6, any amounts collected by the Company under any PMI Policy or Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy shall be deposited in the Escrow Account, subject to withdrawal pursuant to Section 4.7. Section 4.12 Maintenance of Mortgage Impairment Insurance. In the event that the Company shall obtain and maintain a blanket policy insuring against losses arising from fire and hazards covered under extended coverage on all of the Mortgage Loans, then, to the extent such policy provides coverage in an amount equal to the amount required pursuant to Section 4.10 and otherwise complies with all other requirements of Section 4.10, it shall conclusively be deemed to have satisfied its obligations as set forth in Section 4.10. The Company shall prepare and make any claims on the blanket policy as deemed necessary by the Company in accordance with Accepted Servicing Practices. Any amounts collected by the Company under any such policy relating to a Mortgage Loan shall be deposited in the Custodial Account subject to withdrawal pursuant to Section 4.5. Such policy may contain a deductible clause, in which case, in the event that there shall not have been maintained on the related Mortgaged Property a policy complying with Section 4.10, and there shall have been a loss which would have been covered by such policy, the Company shall deposit in the Custodial Account at the time of such loss the amount not otherwise payable under the blanket policy because of such deductible clause, such amount to be deposited from the Company's funds, without reimbursement therefor. Upon request of any Purchaser, the Company shall cause to be delivered to such Purchaser a certified true copy of such policy and a statement from the insurer thereunder that such policy shall in no event be terminated or materially modified without 30 days' prior written notice to such Purchaser. Section 4.13 Maintenance of Fidelity Bond and Errors and Omissions Insurance. The Company shall maintain with responsible companies, at its own expense, a blanket Fidelity Bond and an Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy, with broad coverage on all officers, employees or other persons acting in any capacity requiring such persons to handle funds, money, documents or papers relating to the Mortgage Loans ("Company Employees"). Any such Fidelity Bond and Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy shall be in the form of the Mortgage Banker's Blanket Bond and shall protect and insure the Company against losses, including forgery, theft, embezzlement, fraud, errors and omissions and negligent acts of such Company Employees. Such Fidelity Bond and Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy also shall protect and insure the Company against losses in connection with the release or satisfaction of a Mortgage Loan without having obtained payment in full of the indebtedness secured thereby. No provision of this Section 4.13 requiring such Fidelity Bond and Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy shall diminish or relieve the Company from its duties and obligations as set -52- forth in this Agreement. The minimum coverage under any such bond and insurance policy shall be at least equal to the amounts acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Upon the request of any Purchaser, the Company shall cause to be delivered to such Purchaser a certified true copy of such fidelity bond and insurance policy and a statement from the surety and the insurer that such fidelity bond and insurance policy shall in no event be terminated or materially modified without 30 days' prior written notice to the Purchaser. Section 4.14 Inspections. If any Mortgage Loan is more than 45 days delinquent, the Company or its agent shall inspect the Mortgaged Property as promptly as practicable after the 45th day of delinquency and shall conduct subsequent inspections in accordance with Accepted Servicing Practices or as may be required by the primary mortgage guaranty insurer. The Company shall keep a record of each such inspection and, upon request, shall provide the Purchaser with such information. Section 4.15 Restoration of Mortgaged Property. The Company need not obtain the approval of the Purchaser prior to releasing any Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds to the Mortgagor to be applied to the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property if such release is in accordance with Accepted Servicing Practices. For claims greater than $15,000, at a minimum the Company shall comply with the following conditions in connection with any such release of Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds: (i) the Company shall receive satisfactory independent verification of completion of repairs and issuance of any required approvals with respect thereto; (ii) the Company shall take all steps necessary to preserve the priority of the lien of the Mortgage, including, but not limited to requiring waivers with respect to mechanics' and materialmen's liens; (iii) the Company shall verify that the Mortgage Loan is not in default; and (iv) pending repairs or restoration, the Company shall place the Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds in the Escrow Account. (v) If the Purchaser is named as an additional loss payee, the Company is hereby empowered to endorse any loss draft issued in respect of such a claim in the name of the Purchaser. Section 4.16 Claims. -53- In connection with its activities as servicer, the Company agrees to prepare and present, on behalf of itself and the Purchaser, claims to the insurer in a timely fashion and, in this regard, to take such action as shall be necessary to permit recovery respecting a defaulted Mortgage Loan. Pursuant to Section 4.4, any amounts collected by the Company under any guaranty shall be deposited in the Custodial Account, subject to withdrawal pursuant to Section 4.5. Section 4.17 Title, Management and Disposition of REO Property. In the event that title to any Mortgaged Property is acquired in foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, the deed or certificate of sale shall be taken in the name of the Company, or in the event the Company is not authorized or permitted to hold title to real property in the state where the REO Property is located, or would be adversely affected under the "doing business" or tax laws of such state by so holding title, or the perfection of the ownership or security interest of the Purchaser in such REO Property would be adversely effected, the deed or certificate of sale shall be taken in the name of such Person or Persons as shall be consistent with an Opinion of Counsel obtained by the Company from any attorney duly licensed to practice law in the state where the REO Property is located. The Person or Persons holding such title other than the Purchaser shall acknowledge in writing that such title is being held as nominee for the Purchaser. The Company shall manage, conserve, protect and operate each REO Property for the Purchaser solely for the purpose of its prompt disposition and sale. The Company, either itself or through an agent selected by the Company, shall manage, conserve, protect and operate the REO Property in the same manner that it manages, conserves, protects and operates other foreclosed property for its own account, and in the same manner that similar property in the same locality as the REO Property is managed. The Company shall attempt to sell the same (and may temporarily rent the same for a period not greater than one year, except as otherwise provided below) on such terms and conditions as the Company deems to be in the best interest of the Purchaser. The Company shall use its best efforts to dispose of the REO Property as soon as possible and shall sell such REO Property in any event within one year after title has been taken to such REO Property, unless (i) a REMIC election has not been made with respect to the arrangement under which the Mortgage Loans and the REO Property are held, and (ii) the Company determines, and gives an appropriate notice to the Purchaser to such effect, that a longer period is necessary for the orderly liquidation of such REO Property. If a period longer than one year is permitted under the foregoing sentence and is necessary to sell any REO Property, (i) the Company shall report monthly to the Purchaser as to the progress being made in selling such REO Property and (ii) if, with the written consent of the Purchaser, a purchase money mortgage is taken in connection with such sale, such purchase money mortgage (1) shall name the Company as mortgagee, and (2) shall not be held pursuant to this Agreement, but instead a separate participation agreement among the Company and Purchaser shall be entered into with respect to such purchase money mortgage. -54- The Company shall also maintain on each REO Property fire and hazard insurance with extended coverage in amount which is at least equal to the maximum insurable value of the improvements which are a part of such property, liability insurance and, to the extent required and available under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended, flood insurance in the amount required above. Subject to 5 days' prior written notice to the Purchaser, at the address specified in Section 12.5, of its intent to do so, the disposition of REO Property shall be carried out by the Company at such price, and upon such terms and conditions, as the Company deems to be in the best interests of the Purchaser. The proceeds of sale of the REO Property shall be promptly deposited in the Custodial Account. As soon as practical thereafter the expenses of such sale shall be paid and the Company shall reimburse itself for any related unreimbursed Servicing Advances, unpaid Servicing Fees and unreimbursed advances made pursuant to Section 5.3. On the Remittance Date immediately following the Principal Prepayment Period in which such sale proceeds are received the net cash proceeds of such sale remaining in the Custodial Account shall be distributed to the Purchaser. The Company shall withdraw the Custodial Account funds necessary for the proper operation management and maintenance of the REO Property, including the cost of maintaining any hazard insurance pursuant to Section 4.10 and the fees of any managing agent of the Company, or the Company itself. The Company shall make monthly distributions on each Remittance Date to the Purchaser of the net cash flow from the REO Property (which shall equal the revenues from such REO Property net of the expenses described in the Section 4.16 and of any reserves reasonably required from time to time to be maintained to satisfy anticipated liabilities for such expenses). Section 4.18 Real Estate Owned Reports. Together with the statement furnished pursuant to Section 5.2, the Company shall furnish to the Purchaser on or before the Remittance Date each month a statement with respect to any REO Property covering the operation of such REO Property for the previous month and the Company's efforts in connection with the sale of such REO Property and any rental of such REO Property incidental to the sale thereof for the previous month. That statement shall be accompanied by such other information as the Purchaser shall reasonably request. Section 4.19 Liquidation Reports. Upon the foreclosure sale of any Mortgaged Property or the acquisition thereof by the Purchaser pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the Company shall submit to the Purchaser a liquidation report with respect to such Mortgaged Property. Section 4.20 Reports of Foreclosures and Abandonments of Mortgaged Property. -55- Following the foreclosure sale or abandonment of any Mortgaged Property, the Company shall report such foreclosure or abandonment as required pursuant to Section 6050J of the Code. The Company shall file information reports with respect to the receipt of mortgage interest received in a trade or business and information returns relating to cancellation of indebtedness income with respect to any Mortgaged Property as required by the Code. Such reports shall be in form and substance sufficient to meet the reporting requirements imposed by the Code. Section 4.21 Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Company, in its capacity as servicer for each Mortgage Loan, agrees to fully furnish, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and its implementing regulations, accurate and complete information (e.g., favorable and unfavorable) on its borrower credit files to Equifax, Experian and Trans Union Credit Information Company (three of the credit repositories), on a monthly basis. Section 4.22 Establishment of and Deposits to Subsidy Account. (a) The Company shall segregate and hold all Subsidy Funds collected and received pursuant to the Subsidy Loans separate and apart from any of its own funds and general assets and shall establish and maintain one or more Subsidy Accounts, in the form of time deposit or demand accounts, titled "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in trust for the Purchaser, its successors or assigns, and/or subsequent purchasers of Residential Mortgage Loans, and various Mortgagors." The Subsidy Accounts shall be established with a Qualified Depository, in a manner which shall provide maximum available insurance thereunder. Upon request of the Purchaser and within ten (10) days thereof, the Company shall provide the Purchaser with written confirmation of the existence of such Subsidy Account. Funds deposited in the Subsidy Account may be drawn on by the Company in accordance with this 4.22. (b) The Company shall, from time to time, withdraw funds from the Subsidy Account for the following purposes: (i) on or prior to each Remittance Date, to deposit in the Custodial Account in the amounts and in the manner provided for in Section 4.4(12); (ii) to transfer funds to another Qualified Depository in accordance with Section 4.9 hereof; (iii) to withdraw funds deposited in error; and (iv) to clear and terminate the Subsidy Account upon the termination of this Agreement. (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Company may employ the Escrow Account as the Subsidy Account to the extent that the Company can separately identify any Subsidy Funds deposited therein. -56- (d) If the Mortgagor on a Subsidy Mortgage Loan defaults on such Mortgage Loan during the Subsidy Period and the Mortgaged Property securing such Subsidy Mortgage Loan is sold in the liquidation thereof (either by the Company or the insurer under any related PMI Policy) the Company shall, on the Remittance Date following the date upon which Liquidation Proceeds or REO Disposition proceeds are received with respect to any such Subsidy Mortgage Loan, distribute to the Purchaser all remaining Subsidy Funds for such Mortgage Loan then remaining in the Subsidy Account. Pursuant to the terms of each Subsidy Agreement, any amounts distributed to the Purchaser in accordance with the preceding sentence will be applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the related Subsidy Mortgage Loan. If a Mortgagor on a Subsidy Mortgage Loan prepays such Mortgage Loan in it entirety during the related Subsidy Period, the Company shall be required to withdraw from the Subsidy Account any Subsidy Funds remaining in the Subsidy Account with respect to such Subsidy Mortgage Loan in accordance with the related Subsidy Agreement. If a principal prepayment by a Mortgagor on a Subsidy Mortgage Loan during the related Subsidy Period, together with any Subsidy Funds then remaining in the Subsidy Account related to such Subsidy Mortgage Loan, would result in a principal prepayment of the entire unpaid principal balance of the Subsidy Mortgage Loan, the Company shall distribute to the Purchaser on the Remittance Date occurring in the month immediately succeeding the month in which such Principal Prepayment is received, all Subsidy Funds related to such Mortgage Loan so remaining in the Subsidy Account, together with any amounts required to be deposited into the Custodial Account. Section 4.23 Establishment of and Deposits to Buydown Account. (a) The Company shall segregate and hold all Buydown Funds collected and received pursuant to the Buydown Loans separate and apart from any of its own funds and general assets and shall establish and maintain one or more Buydown Accounts, in the form of time deposit or demand accounts, titled "Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in trust for the Purchaser, its successors or assigns, and/or subsequent purchasers of Residential Mortgage Loans, and various Mortgagors." The Buydown Accounts shall be established with a Qualified Depository, in a manner which shall provide maximum available insurance thereunder. Upon request of the Purchaser and within ten (10) days thereof, the Company shall provide the Purchaser with written confirmation of the existence of such Buydown Account. Funds deposited in the Buydown Account may be drawn on by the Company in accordance with this 4.23. (b) The Company shall, from time to time, withdraw funds from the Buydown Account for the following purposes: (i) on or prior to each Remittance Date, to deposit in the Custodial Account in the amounts and in the manner provided for in Section 4.4(11); (ii) to transfer funds to another Qualified Depository in accordance with Section 4.9 hereof; (iii) to withdraw funds deposited in error; and (iv) to clear and terminate the Buydown Account upon the termination of this Agreement. -57- (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Company may employ the Escrow Account as the Buydown Account to the extent that the Company can separately identify any Buydown Funds deposited therein. If the Mortgagor on a Buydown Mortgage Loan defaults on such Mortgage Loan during the Buydown Period and the Mortgaged Property securing such Buydown Mortgage Loan is sold in the liquidation thereof (either by the Company or the insurer under any related PMI Policy) the Company shall, on the Remittance Date following the date upon which Liquidation Proceeds or REO Disposition proceeds are received with respect to any such Buydown Mortgage Loan, distribute to the Purchaser all remaining Buydown Funds for such Mortgage Loan then remaining in the Buydown Account. Pursuant to the terms of each Buydown Agreement, any amounts distributed to the Purchaser in accordance with the preceding sentence will be applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the related Buydown Mortgage Loan. If a Mortgagor on a Buydown Mortgage Loan prepays such Mortgage Loan in it entirety during the related Buydown Period, the Company shall be required to withdraw from the Buydown Account any Buydown Funds remaining in the Buydown Account with respect to such Buydown Mortgage Loan in accordance with the related Buydown Agreement. If a principal prepayment by a Mortgagor on a Buydown Mortgage Loan during the related Buydown Period, together with any Buydown Funds then remaining in the Buydown Account related to such Buydown Mortgage Loan, would result in a principal prepayment of the entire unpaid principal balance of the Buydown Mortgage Loan, the Company shall distribute to the Purchaser on the Remittance Date occurring in the month immediately succeeding the month in which such Principal Prepayment is received, all Buydown Funds related to such Mortgage Loan so remaining in the Buydown Account, together with any amounts required to be deposited into the Custodial Account. Section 4.24 Letter of Credit Compliance. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall comply with all the requirements of any Letter of Credit so as to assure the full benefit of such Letter of Credit to the Purchaser. Section 4.25 Letter of Credit Draws. The Company shall take all steps necessary to make draws under any Letter of Credit in accordance with the provisions thereof and shall draw on each Letter of Credit all amounts payable thereunder within the time frame required by the Letter of Credit or such shorter time within which the Company can effect such draw (not to exceed thirty (30) calendar days) of (i) the date the related Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent and (ii) the receipt of notice of non-renewal from the Pledge Holder at any time prior to the date that all amounts owed under the related Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan are less than or equal to 80% of the Appraised Value of the related Mortgaged Property. The Company shall notify the Purchaser promptly in writing upon receipt of notice from the Pledge Holder of non-renewal of any Letter of Credit. Upon receipt of any amounts as a result of a draw on a Letter of Credit because of the non-renewal of such Letter of Credit or as a result of the Pledged Asset -58- Mortgage Loan continuing in default for 90 or more days, the Company shall deposit such amounts in the Custodial Account and such amount shall be treated as a payment of principal. Section 4.26 Assignment of the Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (including, without limitation, the termination or transfer of the servicing rights and/or obligations of the Company pursuant to Articles X and XI hereof), the Company, as beneficiary under any Non-Assigned Letters of Credit, shall transfer and assign, at no cost to the Purchaser, each Non-Assigned Letter of Credit to the Purchaser in accordance with the provisions thereof within ten (10) days of such termination or transfer. In addition, the Company shall forward within one (1) Business Day of receipt any notice received of non-renewal of any Letter of Credit. Any funds received by the Company from draws on the Non-Assigned Letters of Credit after the Company is no longer the servicer hereunder shall be remitted by the Company to the successor servicer for deposit into the Custodial Account. Section 4.27 Pledge Holder Defaults. Upon a default under the Letter of Credit by the Pledge Holder, the Company shall take possession of the assets securing the Letter of Credit and shall deposit such assets or the proceeds thereof in the Custodial Account and apply them as a prepayment of the related Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan. If such default described in the prior sentence occurs at any time that the Company is no longer the servicer of the related Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan, the Company shall, upon knowledge of such default or notice from the successor servicer of such default with respect to any Non-Assigned Letter of Credit forward such proceeds to the successor servicer for deposit into the Custodial Account. Section 4.28 Use of Subservicers and Subcontractors. The Company shall not hire or otherwise utilize the services of any Subservicer to fulfill any of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement unless the Company complies with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4.28. The Company shall not hire or otherwise utilize the services of any Subcontractor, and shall not permit any Subservicer to hire or otherwise utilize the services of any Subcontractor, to fulfill any of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement unless the Company complies with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 4.28. (a) It shall not be necessary for the Company to seek the consent of the Purchaser or any Depositor to the utilization of any Subservicer. The Company shall cause any Subservicer used by the Company (or by any Subservicer) for the benefit of the Purchaser and any Depositor to comply with the provisions of this Section 4.28 and with Sections 6.4, 6.6, 9.1(g)(iii), 9.1(g)(v), 9.1(g)(vi) and 9.1(h) of this Agreement to the same extent as if such Subservicer were the Company, and to provide the information required with respect to such Subservicer under Section 9.1(g)(iv) of this Agreement. The Company -59- shall be responsible for obtaining from each Subservicer and delivering to the Purchaser and any Depositor any servicer compliance statement required to be delivered by such Subservicer under Section 6.4 and any assessment of compliance and attestation required to be delivered by such Subservicer under Section 6.6 and any certification required to be delivered to the Person that will be responsible for signing the Sarbanes Certification under Section 6.6 as and when required to be delivered. (b) It shall not be necessary for the Company to seek the consent of the Purchaser or any Depositor to the utilization of any Subcontractor. The Company shall promptly upon request provide to the Purchaser and any Depositor (or any designee of the Depositor, such as a master servicer or administrator) a written description (in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor) of the role and function of each Subcontractor utilized by the Company or any Subservicer, specifying (i) the identity of each such Subcontractor, (ii) which (if any) of such Subcontractors are "participating in the servicing function" within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, and (iii) which elements of the Servicing Criteria will be addressed in assessments of compliance provided by each Subcontractor identified pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph. As a condition to the utilization of any Subcontractor determined to be "participating in the servicing function" within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, the Company shall cause any such Subcontractor used by the Company (or by any Subservicer) for the benefit of the Purchaser and any Depositor to comply with the provisions of Sections 6.6 and 9.1(f) of this Agreement to the same extent as if such Subcontractor were the Company. The Company shall be responsible for obtaining from each Subcontractor and delivering to the Purchaser and any Depositor any assessment of compliance and attestation required to be delivered by such Subcontractor under Section 6.6, in each case as and when required to be delivered. ARTICLE V PAYMENTS TO PURCHASER Section 5.1 Remittances. On each Remittance Date the Company shall remit by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Purchaser (a) all amounts deposited in the Custodial Account as of the close of business on the Determination Date (net of charges against or withdrawals from the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.5), plus (b) all amounts, if any, which the Company is obligated to distribute pursuant to Section 5.3, minus (c) any amounts attributable to Principal Prepayments received after the applicable Principal Prepayment Period which amounts shall be remitted on the following Remittance Date, together with any additional interest required to be deposited in the Custodial Account in connection with such Principal Prepayment in accordance with Section 4.4(viii), minus (d) any amounts attributable to Monthly Payments collected but due on a Due Date or Dates subsequent to the first day of the month of the Remittance Date, and (e) minus any amounts attributable to Buydown Funds relating to a future Due Period being held -60- in the Custodial Account, which amounts shall be remitted on the Remittance Date next succeeding the Due Period for such amounts. All cash flows from prepayment penalties shall be passed through to the Purchaser and shall not be waived by the Company, except pursuant to Section 4.1. With respect to any remittance received by the Purchaser after the date on which such payment was due, the Company shall pay to the Purchaser interest on any such late payment at an annual rate equal to the Prime Rate, adjusted as of the date of each charge, plus two percentage points, but in no event greater than the maximum amount permitted by Applicable Law. Such interest shall be deposited in the Custodial Account by the Company on the date such late payment is made and shall cover the period commencing with the day following such second Business Day and ending with the Business Day on which such payment is made, both inclusive. Such interest shall be remitted along with the distribution payable on the next succeeding Remittance Date. The payment by the Company of any such interest shall not be deemed an extension of time for payment or a waiver of any Event of Default by the Company. Section 5.2 Statements to Purchaser. Not later than the Remittance Advice Date, the Company shall furnish to the Purchaser a Monthly Remittance Advice, including the information set forth in Exhibit E attached hereto, with a trial balance report attached thereto, as to the period ending on the last day of the preceding month, in a form to be agreed upon by the Purchaser and the Company. Section 5.3 Monthly Advances by Company. On the Business Day immediately preceding each Remittance Date, the Company shall deposit in the Custodial Account from its own funds or from amounts held for future distribution an amount equal to all Monthly Payments (with interest adjusted to the Mortgage Loan Remittance Rate) which were due on the Mortgage Loans during the applicable Due Period and which were delinquent at the close of business on the Determination Date immediately preceding such Remittance Date or which were deferred pursuant to Section 4.1. Any amounts held for future distribution and so used shall be replaced by the Company by deposit in the Custodial Account on or before any future Remittance Date if funds in the Custodial Account on such Remittance Date shall be less than payments to the Purchaser required to be made on such Remittance Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be permitted to make any advances from amounts held for future distribution, and instead shall be required to make all advances from its own funds, unless the Company, its parent, or their respective successors hereunder shall have a long-term credit rating of at least "A" by Fitch, Inc. (doing business as Fitch Ratings), "A" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and "A2" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. The Company's obligation to make such Monthly Advances as to any Mortgage Loan will continue through the last Monthly Payment due prior to the payment in full of the Mortgage Loan, or through the earlier of: (i) the last Remittance Date prior to the Remittance Date for the distribution of all Liquidation Proceeds and other payments or recoveries (including Insurance Proceeds and Condemnation Proceeds) -61- with respect to the Mortgage Loan and (ii) the Remittance Date prior to the date the Mortgage Loan is converted to REO Property, provided however, that if requested by a Rating Agency in connection with Securitization Transaction, the Company shall be obligated to make such advances through the Remittance Date prior to the date on which cash is received in connection with the liquidation of REO Property; provided, however, that such obligation shall cease if the Company determines, in its sole reasonable opinion, that advances with respect to such Mortgage Loan are non-recoverable by the Company from Liquidation Proceeds, Insurance Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds, or otherwise with respect to a particular Mortgage Loan. In the event that the Company determines that any such advances are non-recoverable, the Company shall provide the Purchaser with a certificate signed by two officers of the Company evidencing such determination. ARTICLE VI GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES Section 6.1 Transfers of Mortgaged Property. The Company shall use its best efforts to enforce any "due-on-sale" provision contained in any Mortgage or Mortgage Note and to deny assumption by the Person to whom the Mortgaged Property has been or is about to be sold whether by absolute conveyance or by contract of sale, and whether or not the Mortgagor remains liable on the Mortgage and the Mortgage Note. When the Mortgaged Property has been conveyed by the Mortgagor, the Company shall, to the extent it has knowledge of such conveyance, exercise its rights to accelerate the maturity of such Mortgage Loan under the "due-on-sale" clause applicable thereto, provided, however, that the Company shall not exercise such rights if prohibited by law from doing so. If the Company reasonably believes it is unable under Applicable Law to enforce such "due-on-sale" clause, the Company shall enter into (i) an assumption and modification agreement with the Person to whom such property has been conveyed, pursuant to which such Person becomes liable under the Mortgage Note and the original Mortgagor remains liable thereon or (ii) in the event the Company is unable under Applicable Law to require that the original Mortgagor remain liable under the Mortgage Note and the Company has the prior consent of the primary mortgage guaranty insurer, a substitution of liability agreement with the purchaser of the Mortgaged Property pursuant to which the original Mortgagor is released from liability and the purchaser of the Mortgaged Property is substituted as Mortgagor and becomes liable under the Mortgage Note. If an assumption fee is collected by the Company for entering into an assumption agreement the fee will be retained by the Company as additional servicing compensation. In connection with any such assumption, neither the Mortgage Interest Rate borne by the related Mortgage Note, the term of the Mortgage Loan, the outstanding principal amount of the Mortgage Loan nor any other material terms shall be changed without Purchaser's consent. To the extent that any Mortgage Loan is assumable, the Company shall inquire diligently into the credit worthiness of the proposed transferee, and shall use the underwriting -62- criteria for approving the credit of the proposed transferee which are used with respect to underwriting mortgage loans of the same type as the Mortgage Loan. If the credit of the proposed transferee does not meet such underwriting criteria, the Company diligently shall, to the extent permitted by the Mortgage or the Mortgage Note and by Applicable Law, accelerate the maturity of the Mortgage Loan. Section 6.2 Satisfaction of Mortgages and Release of Custodial Mortgage Files. Upon the payment in full of any Mortgage Loan, the Company shall notify the Purchaser in the Monthly Remittance Advice as provided in Section 5.2, and may request the release of any Mortgage Loan Documents. If such Mortgage Loan is a MERS Mortgage Loan, the Company is authorized to cause the removal from the registration on the MERS System of such Mortgage and to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Purchaser, any and all instruments of satisfaction or cancellation or of partial or full release. If the Company satisfies or releases a Mortgage without first having obtained payment in full of the indebtedness secured by the Mortgage or should the Company otherwise prejudice any rights the Purchaser may have under the mortgage instruments, upon written demand of the Purchaser, the Company shall repurchase the related Mortgage Loan at the Repurchase Price by deposit thereof in the Custodial Account within 2 Business Days of receipt of such demand by the Purchaser. The Company shall maintain the Fidelity Bond and Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy as provided for in Section 4.12 insuring the Company against any loss it may sustain with respect to any Mortgage Loan not satisfied in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. Section 6.3 Servicing Compensation. As compensation for its services hereunder, the Company shall be entitled to withdraw from the Custodial Account or to retain from interest payments on the Mortgage Loans the amount of its Servicing Fee. The Servicing Fee shall be payable monthly and shall be computed on the basis of the unpaid principal balance and for the period respecting which any related interest payment on a Mortgage Loan is received. The obligation of the Purchaser to pay the Servicing Fee is limited to, and payable solely from, the interest portion of such Monthly Payments. Additional servicing compensation in the form of assumption fees, to the extent provided in Section 6.1, and late payment charges shall be retained by the Company to the extent not required to be deposited in the Custodial Account. The Company shall be required to pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its servicing activities hereunder and shall not be entitled to reimbursement thereof except as specifically provided for herein. Section 6.4 Annual Statement as to Compliance. -63- (i) The Company shall deliver to the Purchaser on or before February 28, 2006, an Officer's Certificate, stating that (x) a review of the activities of the Company during the preceding calendar year and of performance under this Agreement or similar agreements has been made under such officer's supervision, and (y) to the best of such officer's knowledge, based on such review, the Company has fulfilled all its obligations under this Agreement throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof and the action being taken by the Company to cure such default. (ii) On or before March 1 of each calendar year, commencing in 2007, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser and any Depositor a statement of compliance addressed to the Purchaser and such Depositor and signed by an authorized officer of the Company, to the effect that (a) a review of the Company's activities during the immediately preceding calendar year (or applicable portion thereof) and of its performance under this Agreement and any applicable Reconstitution Agreement during such period has been made under such officer's supervision, and (b) to the best of such officers' knowledge, based on such review, the Company has fulfilled all of its obligations under this Agreement and any applicable Reconstitution Agreement in all material respects throughout such calendar year (or applicable portion thereof) or, if there has been a failure to fulfill any such obligation in any material respect, specifically identifying each such failure known to such officer and the nature and the status thereof. Section 6.5 Annual Independent Public Accountants' Servicing Report. Except with respect to Securitization Transactions occurring on or after January 1, 2006, on or before February 28, of each year beginning February 28, 2006, the Company, at its expense, shall cause a firm of independent public accountants which is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to furnish a statement to each Purchaser to the effect that such firm has examined certain documents and records relating to the servicing of the mortgage loans similar in nature and that such firm is of the opinion that the provisions of this or similar agreements have been complied with, and that, on the basis of such examination conducted substantially in compliance with the Uniform Single Attestation Program for Mortgage Bankers, nothing has come to their attention which would indicate that such servicing has not been conducted in compliance therewith, except for (i) such exceptions as such firm shall believe to be immaterial, and (ii) such other exceptions as shall be set forth in such statement. By providing the Purchaser a copy of a Uniform Single Attestation Program Report from their independent public accountant's on an annual basis, Company shall be considered to have fulfilled its obligations under this Section 6.5. Section 6.6 Report on Assessment of Compliance and Attestation. With respect to any Mortgage Loans that are the subject of a Securitization Transaction occurring on or after January 1, 2006, on or before March 1 of each calendar year, commencing in 2007, the Company shall: (i) deliver to the Purchaser and any Depositor a report (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor) regarding the -64- Company's assessment of compliance with the Servicing Criteria during the immediately preceding calendar year, as required under Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 of the Exchange Act and Item 1122 of Regulation AB. Such report shall be addressed to the Purchaser and such Depositor and signed by an authorized officer of the Company and shall address each of the Servicing Criteria specified substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto delivered to the Purchaser at the time of any Securitization Transaction; (ii) deliver to the Purchaser and any Depositor a report of a registered public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser and such Depositor that attests to, and reports on, the assessment of compliance made by the Company and delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph. Such 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; (iii) cause each Subservicer and each Subcontractor, determined by the Company pursuant to Section 4.28(b) to be "participating in the servicing function" within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, to deliver to the Purchaser and any Depositor an assessment of compliance and accountants' attestation as and when provided in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 6.6; and (iv) deliver to the Purchaser, any Depositor and any other Person that will be responsible for signing the certification (a "Sarbanes Certification") required by Rules 13a-14(d) and 15d-14(d) under the Exchange Act (pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) on behalf of an asset-backed issuer with respect to a Securitization Transaction a certification in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J. The Company acknowledges that the parties identified in clause (iv) above may rely on the certification provided by the Company pursuant to such clause in signing a Sarbanes Certification and filing such with the Commission. Each assessment of compliance provided by a Subservicer pursuant to Section 6.6(i) shall address each of the Servicing Criteria specified substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto delivered to the Purchaser concurrently with the execution of this Agreement or, in the case of a Subservicer subsequently appointed as such, on or prior to the date of such appointment. An assessment of compliance provided by a Subcontractor pursuant to Section 6.6(iii) need not address any elements of the Servicing Criteria other than those specified by the Company pursuant to Section 4.28. Section 6.7 Remedies. (i) Any failure by the Company, any Subservicer, any Subcontractor or any Third-Party Originator to deliver any information, report, certification, accountants' letter or other material when and as required under Article IX, Section 4.28, Section 6.4, Section 6.5 or Section 6.6, or any breach by the Company of a representation or warranty set forth in Section -65- 9.1(g)(vi)(A), or in a writing furnished pursuant to Section 9.1(g)(vi)(B) and made as of a date prior to the closing date of the related Securitization Transaction, to the extent that such breach is not cured by such closing date, or any breach by the Company of a representation or warranty in a writing furnished pursuant to Section 9.1(g)(vi)(B) to the extent made as of a date subsequent to such closing date, shall, except as provided in sub-clause (ii) of this Section, immediately and automatically, without notice or grace period, constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Company under this Agreement and any applicable Reconstitution Agreement, and shall entitle the Purchaser or Depositor, as applicable, in its sole discretion to terminate the rights and obligations of the Company as servicer under this Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement without payment (notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement to the contrary) of any compensation to the Company; provided that to the extent that any provision of this Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement expressly provides for the survival of certain rights or obligations following termination of the Company as servicer, such provision shall be given effect. (ii) Any failure by the Company, any Subservicer or any Subcontractor to deliver any information, report, certification or accountants' letter when and as required under Section 6.4, Section 6.5 or Section 6.6, including any failure by the Company to identify any Subcontractor "participating in the servicing function" within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, which continues unremedied for ten (10) calendar days after the date on which such information, report, certification or accountants' letter was required to be delivered shall constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Company under this Agreement and any applicable Reconstitution Agreement, and shall entitle the Purchaser or Depositor, as applicable, in its sole discretion to terminate the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement without payment (notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary) of any compensation to the Company; provided that to the extent that any provision of this Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement expressly provides for the survival of certain rights or obligations following termination of the Company as servicer, such provision shall be given effect. (iii) The Company shall promptly reimburse the Purchaser (or any designee of the Purchaser, such as a master servicer) and any Depositor, as applicable, for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Purchaser (or such designee) or such Depositor, as such are incurred, in connection with the termination of the Company as servicer and the transfer of servicing of the Mortgage Loans to a successor servicer. The provisions of this paragraph shall not limit whatever rights the Purchaser or any Depositor may have under other provisions of this Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement or otherwise, whether in equity or at law, such as an action for damages, specific performance or injunctive relief. Section 6.8 Right to Examine Company Records. The Purchaser, or its designee, shall have the right to examine and audit any and all of the books, records, or other information of the Company, whether held by the Company or by another on its behalf, with respect to or concerning this Agreement or the Mortgage Loans, -66- during business hours or at such other times as may be reasonable under applicable circumstances, upon reasonable advance notice. The Purchaser shall pay its own expenses associated with such examination. Section 6.9 Compliance with REMIC Provisions. If a REMIC election has been made with respect to the arrangement under which the Mortgage Loans and REO Property are held, the Company shall not take any action or fail to take any action or fail to cause the REMIC to take any action, that, under the REMIC Provisions, if taken or not taken, as the case may be, could (i) endanger the status of the REMIC as a REMIC or (ii) result in the imposition of a tax upon the REMIC (including but not limited to the tax on "prohibited transactions" as defined 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 Company has received an Opinion of Counsel (at the expense of the party seeking to take such action) to the effect that the contemplated action will not endanger such REMIC status or result in the imposition of any such tax. ARTICLE VII COMPANY TO COOPERATE Section 7.1 Provision of Information. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall furnish to the Purchaser such periodic, special, or other reports or information, and copies or originals of any documents contained in the Servicing File for each Mortgage Loan provided for herein. All other special reports or information not provided for herein as shall be necessary, reasonable, or appropriate with respect to the Purchaser or any regulatory agency will be provided at the Purchaser's expense. All such reports, documents or information shall be provided by and in accordance with all reasonable instructions and directions which the Purchaser may give. The Company shall execute and deliver all such instruments and take all such action as the Purchaser may reasonably request from time to time, in order to effectuate the purposes and to carry out the terms of this Agreement. Section 7.2 Financial Statements; Servicing Facility. In connection with marketing the Mortgage Loans, the Purchaser may make available to a prospective Purchaser a Consolidated Statement of Operations of the Company for the most recently completed two fiscal years for which such a statement is available, as well as a Consolidated Statement of Condition at the end of the last two fiscal years covered by such Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company, upon request, also shall make available any comparable interim statements to the extent any such statements have been prepared by or -67- on behalf of the Company (and are available upon request to members or stockholders of the Company or to the public at large). The Company also shall make available to Purchaser or prospective Purchaser a knowledgeable financial or accounting officer for the purpose of answering questions respecting recent developments affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company, and to permit any prospective purchaser to inspect the Company's servicing facilities for the purpose of satisfying such prospective purchaser that the Company has the ability to service the Mortgage Loans as provided in this Agreement. ARTICLE VIII THE COMPANY Section 8.1 Indemnification; Third Party Claims. The Company shall indemnify the Purchaser and hold it harmless against any and all claims, losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, reasonable and necessary legal fees and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that the Purchaser may sustain in any way related to the failure of the Company to perform its duties and service the Mortgage Loans in strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement. The Company immediately shall notify the Purchaser if a claim is made by a third party with respect to this Agreement or the Mortgage Loans, assume (with the prior written consent of the Purchaser) the defense of any such claim and pay all expenses in connection therewith, including counsel fees, and promptly pay, discharge and satisfy any judgment or decree which may be entered against it or the Purchaser in respect of such claim. The Company shall follow any written instructions received from the Purchaser in connection with such claim. The Purchaser promptly shall reimburse the Company for all costs, fees or expenses advanced by it pursuant to this paragraph except when the claim in any way results from, relates to or arises out of any liability, obligation, act or omission of the Company, including without limitation, the Company's indemnification obligation under Section 3.3 and this Section 8.1, any repurchase obligation of the Company hereunder including Sections 2.3, 3.3 and 6.2, or the failure of the Company to service and administer the Mortgage Loans and otherwise perform its obligations hereunder in strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement. Section 8.2 Merger or Consolidation of the Company. The Company shall keep in full effect its existence, rights and franchises and shall obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Mortgage Loans and to perform its duties under this Agreement. Any Person into which the Company may be merged or consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Company shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the business of the Company, shall be the successor of -68- the Company hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, provided, however, that the successor or surviving Person shall be an institution which is a Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac-approved company in good standing. Furthermore, in the event the Company transfers or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its assets to an affiliate of the Company, such affiliate shall satisfy the condition above, and shall also be fully liable to the Purchaser for all of the Company's obligations and liabilities hereunder. Section 8.3 Limitation on Liability of Company and Others. Neither the Company nor any of the directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company shall be under any liability to the Purchaser for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to this Agreement, or for errors in judgment, provided, however, that this provision shall not protect the Company or any such Person against any breach of warranties or representations made herein, or failure to perform its obligations in strict compliance with any standard of care set forth in this Agreement or any other liability which would otherwise be imposed under this Agreement. The Company and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company 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 Company shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action which is not incidental to its duties to service the Mortgage Loans in accordance with this Agreement and which in its opinion may involve it in any expense or liability, provided, however, that the Company may, with the consent of the Purchaser, undertake any such action which it may deem necessary or desirable in respect to this Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereto. In such event, the Company shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Purchaser of the reasonable legal expenses and costs of such action. Section 8.4 Limitation on Resignation and Assignment by Company. The Purchaser has entered into this Agreement with the Company and subsequent Purchasers will purchase the Mortgage Loans in reliance upon the independent status of the Company, and the representations as to the adequacy of its servicing facilities, plant, personnel, records and procedures, its integrity, reputation and financial standing, and the continuance thereof. Therefore, the Company shall neither assign this Agreement or the servicing rights hereunder, or sell or otherwise dispose of all of its property or assets without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall not resign from the obligations and duties hereby imposed on it except by mutual consent of the Company and the Purchaser or upon the determination that its duties hereunder are no longer permissible under Applicable Law and such incapacity cannot be cured by the Company. Any such determination permitting the resignation of the Company shall be evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel to such effect delivered to the Purchaser which Opinion of Counsel shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Purchaser. No such resignation shall become effective until a successor shall have assumed the Company's responsibilities and obligations hereunder in the manner provided in Section 12.1. -69- Without in any way limiting the generality of this Section 8.4, in the event that the Company either shall assign this Agreement or the servicing responsibilities hereunder or sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property or assets without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, then the Purchaser shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon notice given as set forth in Section 10.1, without any payment of any penalty or damages and without any liability whatsoever to the Purchaser or any third party. ARTICLE IX SECURITIZATION TRANSACTION Section 9.1 Removal of Mortgage Loans from Inclusion Under this Agreement Upon a Securitization Transaction The Purchaser and the Company agree that with respect to some or all of the Mortgage Loans, the Purchaser, at its sole option, may effect Whole Loan Transfers, Agency Transfers or Securitization Transactions, retaining the Company as the servicer thereof or subservicer if a master servicer is employed, or as applicable the "seller/servicer". From and after the Reconstitution Date, the Mortgage Loans transferred may remain covered by this Agreement, insofar as the Company shall continue to service such Mortgage Loans on behalf of the Purchaser in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall cooperate with the Purchaser in connection with each Whole Loan Transfer or Securitization Transaction in accordance with this Section 9.1. In connection therewith the Company shall: (a) make all representations and warranties with respect to the Mortgage Loans as of the related Closing Date and with respect to the Company itself as of the closing date of each Whole Loan Transfer or Securitization Transaction; (b) negotiate in good faith and execute any seller/servicer agreements required by the shelf registrant to effectuate the foregoing provided such agreements create no greater obligation or cost on the part of the Company than otherwise set forth in this Agreement; (c) with respect to any Mortgage Loans that are subject to a Securitization Transaction occurring on or before December 31, 2005, in which the filing of a Sarbanes-Oxley certification directly with the Commission is required, by February 28, 2006,r or in connection with any additional Sarbanes-Oxley certification required to be filed, upon thirty (30) days written request, an officer of the Company shall execute and deliver a Company Certification substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H, to the entity filing the Sarbanes-Oxley certification directly with the Commission (such as the Purchaser, any master servicer, any trustee or any depositor) for the benefit of such entity and such entity's affiliates and the officers, directors and agents of such entity and such entity's affiliates, and shall indemnify such entity or persons arising out of any breach of the Company's obligations or representations relating thereto as provided in such Company Certification; -70- (d) represent to the Purchaser, the depositor, the trustee, and the initial purchaser of the securities issued in connection with any Securitization Transaction that: (1) that the Company has serviced the Mortgage Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and has otherwise complied with all covenants and obligations hereunder, and (2) that the Company has taken no action that would, nor omitted to take any required action the omission of which would, have the effect of impairing the mortgage insurance or guarantee on the Mortgage Loans. The Company also agrees to represent the accuracy of any information provided to the Purchaser by the Company for inclusion in any prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or term sheet prepared in connection with any Securitization Transactions; (e) deliver an opinion of counsel (which can be an opinion of in-house counsel to the Company) reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser; provided that any out-of-pocket, third party expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the foregoing shall be paid by the Purchaser; (f) provide as applicable: (i) any and all information and appropriate verification of information which may be reasonably available to the Company, whether through letters of its auditors and counsel or otherwise, as the Purchaser shall request; (ii) (x) a company certification executed by a senior officer of the Company responsible for the servicing of the Mortgage Loans, and (y) such additional statements, certificates or other similar documents of the Company or reports from the Company's accountants in connection with a Securitization Transaction and in substance as required by Applicable Law; and (iii) such additional representations, warranties, covenants, opinions of counsel, letters from auditors, financial description of the Company as servicer for inclusion in any offering memorandum to be distributed to potential investors in connection with a Securitization Transaction with respect to the Mortgage Loans, and certificates of public officials or officers of the Company as are reasonably believed necessary by the trustee, any Rating Agency, the Purchaser, as the case may be, in connection with such Whole Loan Transfers, Agency Transfers or Securitization Transactions. The Purchaser shall pay all third party costs associated with the preparation of such information. The Company shall execute any seller/servicer agreements required within a reasonable period of time after receipt of such seller/servicer agreements which time shall be sufficient for the Company and Company's counsel to review such seller/servicer agreements. Under this Agreement, the Company shall retain a servicing fee for each Mortgage Loan, at the Servicing Fee Rate. The Purchaser shall continue to be responsible for the fees and expenses of the Custodian, including the obligation to pay such fees and expenses on behalf of any Agency to whom Mortgage Loans are transferred pursuant to an Agency Transfer. -71- (g) in connection with any Securitization Transaction occurring on or after January 1, 2006, the Company shall (1) within five (5) Business Days following request by the Purchaser or any Depositor, provide to the Purchaser and such Depositor (or, as applicable, cause each Third-Party Originator and each Subservicer to provide), in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor, the information and materials specified in paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (vii) of this subsection (e), and (2) as promptly as practicable following notice to or discovery by the Company, provide to the Purchaser and any Depositor (in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor) the information specified in paragraph (iv) of this subsection (e). (i) If so requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Company shall provide such information regarding (1) the Company, as originator of the Mortgage Loans (including as an acquirer of Mortgage Loans from a Qualified Correspondent), or (2) each Third-Party Originator, and (3) as applicable, each Subservicer, as is requested for the purpose of compliance with Items 1103(a)(1), 1105, 1110, 1117 and 1119 of Regulation AB. Such information shall include, at a minimum: (A) the originator's form of organization; (B) a description of the originator's origination program and how long the originator has been engaged in originating residential mortgage loans, which description shall include a discussion of the originator's experience in originating mortgage loans of a similar type as the Mortgage Loans; information regarding the size and composition of the originator's origination portfolio; and information that may be material, in the good faith judgment of the Purchaser or any Depositor, to an analysis of the performance of the Mortgage Loans, including the originators' credit-granting or underwriting criteria for mortgage loans of similar type(s) as the Mortgage Loans and such other information as the Purchaser or any Depositor may reasonably request for the purpose of compliance with Item 1110(b)(2) of Regulation AB; (C) a description of any material legal or governmental proceedings pending (or known to be contemplated) against the Company, each Third-Party Originator and each Subservicer; and (D) a description of any affiliation or relationship between the Company, each Third-Party Originator, each Subservicer and any of the following parties to a Securitization Transaction, as such parties are identified to the Company by the Purchaser or any Depositor in writing in advance of a Securitization Transaction: (1) the sponsor; -72- (2) the depositor; (3) the issuing entity; (4) any servicer; (5) any trustee; (6) any originator; (7) any significant obligor; (8) any enhancement or support provider; and (9) any other material transaction party. (ii) If so requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Company shall provide (or, as applicable, cause each Third-Party Originator to provide) Static Pool Information with respect to the mortgage loans (of a similar type as the Mortgage Loans, as reasonably identified by the Purchaser as provided below) originated by (1) the Company, if the Company is an originator of Mortgage Loans (including as an acquirer of Mortgage Loans from a Qualified Correspondent), and/or (2) each Third-Party Originator. Such Static Pool Information shall be prepared by the Company (or Third-Party Originator) on the basis of its reasonable, good faith interpretation of the requirements of Item 1105(a)(1)-(3) of Regulation AB. To the extent that there is reasonably available to the Company (or Third-Party Originator) Static Pool Information with respect to more than one mortgage loan type, the Purchaser or any Depositor shall be entitled to specify whether some or all of such information shall be provided pursuant to this paragraph. The content of such Static Pool Information may be in the form customarily provided by the Company, and need not be customized for the Purchaser or any Depositor. Such Static Pool Information for each vintage origination year or prior securitized pool, as applicable, shall be presented in increments no less frequently than quarterly over the life of the mortgage loans included in the vintage origination year or prior securitized pool. The most recent periodic increment must be as of a date no later than 135 days prior to the date of the prospectus or other offering document in which the Static Pool Information is to be included or incorporated by reference. The Static Pool Information shall be provided in an electronic format that provides a permanent record of the information provided, such as a portable document format (pdf) file, or other such electronic format reasonably required by the Purchaser or the Depositor, as applicable. If so requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Company shall provide (or, as applicable, cause each Third-Party Originator to provide), at the expense of the requesting party (to the extent of any additional incremental expense associated with delivery pursuant to this Agreement), such agreed-upon procedures letters of certified public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser or Depositor, as applicable, pertaining to Static Pool Information relating to prior securitized pools for securitizations closed on or after January 1, 2006 or, in the case of Static -73- Pool Information with respect to the Company's or Third-Party Originator's originations or purchases, to calendar months commencing January 1, 2006, as the Purchaser or such Depositor shall reasonably request. Such statements and letters shall be addressed to and be for the benefit of such parties as the Purchaser or such Depositor shall designate, which may include, by way of example, any sponsor, any Depositor and any broker dealer acting as underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser with respect to a Securitization Transaction. Any such statement or letter may take the form of a standard, generally applicable document accompanied by a reliance letter authorizing reliance by the addressees designated by the Purchaser or such Depositor. (iii) If so requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Company shall provide such information regarding the Company, as servicer of the Mortgage Loans, and each Subservicer (each of the Company and each Subservicer, for purposes of this paragraph, a "Servicer"), as is requested for the purpose of compliance with Items 1108 of Regulation AB. Such information shall include, at a minimum: (A) the Servicer's form of organization; (B) a description of how long the Servicer has been servicing residential mortgage loans; a general discussion of the Servicer's experience in servicing assets of any type as well as a more detailed discussion of the Servicer's experience in, and procedures for, the servicing function it will perform under this Agreement and any Reconstitution Agreements; information regarding the size, composition and growth of the Servicer's portfolio of residential mortgage loans of a type similar to the Mortgage Loans and information on factors related to the Servicer that may be material, in the good faith judgment of the Purchaser or any Depositor, to any analysis of the servicing of the Mortgage Loans or the related asset-backed securities, as applicable, including, without limitation: (1) whether any prior securitizations of mortgage loans of a type similar to the Mortgage Loans involving the Servicer have defaulted or experienced an early amortization or other performance triggering event because of servicing during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction; (2) the extent of outsourcing the Servicer utilizes; (3) whether there has been previous disclosure of material noncompliance with the applicable servicing criteria with -74- respect to other securitizations of residential mortgage loans involving the Servicer as a servicer during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction; (4) whether the Servicer has been terminated as servicer in a residential mortgage loan securitization, either due to a servicing default or to application of a servicing performance test or trigger; and (5) such other information as the Purchaser or any Depositor may reasonably request for the purpose of compliance with Item 1108(b)(2) of Regulation AB; (C) a description of any material changes during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction to the Servicer's policies or procedures with respect to the servicing function it will perform under this Agreement and any Reconstitution Agreements for mortgage loans of a type similar to the Mortgage Loans; (D) information regarding the Servicer's financial condition, to the extent that there is a material risk that an adverse financial event or circumstance involving the Servicer could have a material adverse effect on the performance by the Company of its servicing obligations under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement; (E) information regarding advances made by the Servicer on the Mortgage Loans and the Servicer's overall servicing portfolio of residential mortgage loans for the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction, which may be limited to a statement by an authorized officer of the Servicer to the effect that the Servicer has made all advances required to be made on residential mortgage loans serviced by it during such period, or, if such statement would not be accurate, information regarding the percentage and type of advances not made as required, and the reasons for such failure to advance; (F) a description of the Servicer's processes and procedures designed to address any special or unique factors involved in servicing loans of a similar type as the Mortgage Loans; (G) a description of the Servicer's processes for handling delinquencies, losses, bankruptcies and recoveries, such as through -75- liquidation of mortgaged properties, sale of defaulted mortgage loans or workouts; and (H) information as to how the Servicer defines or determines delinquencies and charge-offs, including the effect of any grace period, re-aging, restructuring, partial payments considered current or other practices with respect to delinquency and loss experience. (iv) If so requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor for the purpose of satisfying its reporting obligation under the Exchange Act with respect to any class of asset-backed securities, the Company shall (or shall cause each Subservicer and Third-Party Originator to) (1) notify the Purchaser and any Depositor in writing of (A) any material litigation or governmental proceedings pending against the Company, any Subservicer or any Third-Party Originator and (B) any affiliations or relationships that develop following the closing date of a Securitization Transaction between the Company, any Subservicer or any Third-Party Originator and any of the parties specified in Section 9.1(g)(i)(D) (and any other parties identified in writing by the requesting party) with respect to such Securitization Transaction, and (2) provide to the Purchaser and any Depositor a description of such proceedings, affiliations or relationships. (v) As a condition to the succession to the Company or any Subservicer as servicer or Subservicer under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement by any Person (i) into which the Company or such Subservicer may be merged or consolidated, or (ii) which may be appointed as a successor to the Company or any Subservicer, the Company shall provide to the Purchaser and any Depositor, at least 15 calendar days prior to the effective date of such succession or appointment, (x) written notice to the Purchaser and any Depositor of such succession or appointment and (y) in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser and such Depositor, all information reasonably requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor in order to comply with is reporting obligation under Item 6.02 of Form 8-K with respect to any class of asset-backed securities. (vi) (A) The Company shall be deemed to represent to the Purchaser and to any Depositor, as of the date on which information is first provided to the Purchaser under this Section 9.1(g) that, except as disclosed in writing to the Purchaser or such Depositor prior to such date: (1) the Company is not aware and has not received notice that any default, early amortization or other performance triggering event has occurred as to any other securitization due to any act or failure to act of the Company; (2) the Company has not been terminated as servicer in a residential mortgage loan securitization, either due to a servicing default or to application of a servicing performance test or trigger; (3) no material noncompliance with the applicable -76- servicing criteria with respect to other securitizations of residential mortgage loans involving the Company as servicer has been disclosed or reported by the Company; (4) no material changes to the Company's policies or procedures with respect to the servicing function it will perform under this Agreement and any Reconstitution Agreement for mortgage loans of a type similar to the Mortgage Loans have occurred during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction; (5) there are no aspects of the Company's financial condition that could have a material adverse effect on the performance by the Company of its servicing obligations under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement; (6) there are no material legal or governmental proceedings pending (or known to be contemplated) against the Company, any Subservicer or any Third-Party Originator; and (7) there are no affiliations, relationships or transactions relating to the Company, any Subservicer or any Third-Party Originator with respect to any Securitization Transaction and any party thereto identified by the related Depositor of a type described in Item 1119 of Regulation AB. (B) If so requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor on any date following the date on which information is first provided to the Purchaser or any Depositor under this Section 9.1(g), the Company shall, within five (5) Business Days following such request, confirm in writing the accuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in sub clause (A) above or, if any such representation and warranty is not accurate as of the date of such request, provide reasonably adequate disclosure of the pertinent facts, in writing, to the requesting party. (vii) In addition to such information as the Company, as servicer, is obligated to provide pursuant to other provisions of this Agreement, if so requested by the Purchaser or any Depositor, the Company shall provide such information reasonably available to the Company regarding the performance or servicing of the Mortgage Loans as is reasonably required to facilitate preparation of distribution reports in accordance with Item 1121 of Regulation AB. (h) The Company shall indemnify the Purchaser, each affiliate of the Purchaser, and each of the following parties participating in a Securitization Transaction: each sponsor and issuing entity; each Person responsible for the preparation, execution or filing of any report required to be filed with the Commission with respect to such Securitization Transaction, or for execution of a certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(d) or Rule 15d-14(d) under the Exchange Act with respect to such Securitization Transaction; each broker dealer acting as underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser, each Person who controls any of such parties or the -77- Depositor (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act); and the respective present and former directors, officers, employees and agents of each of the foregoing and of the Depositor, and shall hold each of them harmless from and against any losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and expenses and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that any of them may sustain arising out of or based upon: (i) (A) any untrue statement of a material fact contained or alleged to be contained in any information, report, certification, accountants' letter or other material provided under Sections 4.28, 6.4(ii), 6.6, 9.1(d) and (g) by or on behalf of the Company, or provided under Sections 4.28, 6.4(ii), 6.6, 9.1(d) and (g) by or on behalf of any Subservicer, Subcontractor or Third-Party Originator (collectively, the "Company Information"), or (B) the omission or alleged omission to state in the Company Information a material fact required to be stated in the Company Information or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, by way of clarification, that clause (B) of this paragraph shall be construed solely by reference to the Company Information and not to any other information communicated in connection with a sale or purchase of securities, without regard to whether the Company Information or any portion thereof is presented together with or separately from such other information; (ii) any failure by the Company, any Subservicer, any Subcontractor or any Third-Party Originator to deliver any information, report, certification, accountants' letter or other material when and as required under Sections 4.28, 6.4(ii), 6.6, 9.1(d) and (g), including any failure by the Company to identify any Subcontractor "participating in the servicing function" within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB; or (iii) any breach by the Company of a representation or warranty set forth in Section 9.1(g)(vi)(A) or in a writing furnished pursuant to Section 9.1(g)(vi)(B) and made as of a date prior to the closing date of the related Securitization Transaction, to the extent that such breach is not cured by such closing date, or any breach by the Company of a representation or warranty in a writing furnished pursuant to Section 9.1(g)(vi)(B) to the extent made as of a date subsequent to such closing date. In the case of any failure of performance described in sub-clause (ii) of this Section 9.1(h), the Company shall promptly reimburse the Purchaser, any Depositor, as applicable, and each Person responsible for the preparation, execution or filing of any report required to be filed with the Commission with respect to such Securitization Transaction, or for execution of a certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(d) or Rule 15d-14(d) under the Exchange Act with -78- respect to such Securitization Transaction, for all costs reasonably incurred by each such party in order to obtain the information, report, certification, accountants' letter or other material not delivered as required by the Company, any Subservicer, any Subcontractor or any Third-Party Originator. (i) The Purchaser and each Person who controls the Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) shall indemnify the Company, each affiliate of the Company, each Person who controls any of such parties or the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the respective present and former directors, officers, employees and agents of each of the foregoing and of the Company, and shall hold each of them harmless from and against any losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and expenses and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that any of them may sustain arising out of or based upon: (i) (A) any untrue statement of a material fact contained or alleged to be contained in any offering materials related to a Securitization Transaction, including without limitation the registration statement, prospectus, prospectus supplement, any private placement memorandum, any offering circular, any freewriting prospectuses (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act), and any amendments or supplements to the foregoing (collectively, the "Securitization Materials") or (B) the omission or alleged omission to state in the Securitization Materials a material fact required to be stated in the Securitization Materials or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission is other than a statement or omission arising out of, resulting from, or based upon the Company Information. (j) indemnify the Purchaser for any material misstatements, omissions or alleged material misstatements or omissions contained in the information provided pursuant to (d) or (f) above; provided, that the Purchaser shall provide indemnification to the Company, its successors or assigns, with respect to any material misstatements, omissions or alleged material misstatements or omissions contained in any information (other than the information provided by the Company pursuant to (d) or (f) above) in any securitization offering materials; and (k) if required at any time by the Rating Agencies in connection with any Securitization Transaction, the Company shall deliver such additional documents from its Retained Mortgage File to the Custodian as the Rating Agencies may require (a "Rating Agency Delivery Event"). The Purchaser and the Company acknowledge and agree that the purpose of Section 9. 1(g) is to facilitate compliance by the Purchaser and any Depositor with the provisions -79- of Regulation AB and related rules and regulations of the Commission. Neither the Purchaser nor any Depositor shall exercise its right to request delivery of information or other performance under these provisions other than in good faith, or for purposes other than compliance with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The Company acknowledges that interpretations of the requirements of Regulation AB may change over time, whether due to interpretive guidance provided by the Commission or its staff, consensus among participants in the asset-backed securities markets, advice of counsel, or otherwise, and agrees to comply with requests made by the Purchaser or any Depositor in good faith for delivery of information under these provisions on the basis of evolving interpretations of Regulation AB. In connection with any Securitization Transaction, the Company shall cooperate fully with the Purchaser to deliver to the Purchaser (including any of its assignees or designees) and any Depositor, any and all statements, reports, certifications, records and any other information necessary in the good faith determination of the Purchaser or any Depositor to permit the Purchaser or such Depositor to comply with the provisions of Regulation AB, together with such disclosures relating to the Company, any Subservicer, any Third-Party Originator and the Mortgage Loans, or the servicing of the Mortgage Loans, reasonably believed by the Purchaser or any Depositor to be necessary in order to effect such compliance. In the event the Purchaser has elected to have the Company hold record title to the Mortgages, prior to the Reconstitution Date and after the related Closing Date the Company shall prepare an Assignment of Mortgage in blank or, at the option of the Purchaser, to the trustee from the Company (to the extent such Assignment has not been prepared on or before the related Closing Date) acceptable to the trustee for each Mortgage Loan that is part of the Whole Loan Transfers, Agency Transfers or Securitization Transactions. The Purchaser shall pay all preparation and recording costs associated therewith. The Company shall execute each Assignment of Mortgage, track such Assignments of Mortgage to ensure they have been recorded and deliver them as required by the trustee upon the Company's receipt thereof. Additionally, the Company shall prepare and execute, at the direction of the Purchaser, any note endorsements in connection with any and all seller/servicer agreements. All Mortgage Loans (i) not sold or transferred pursuant to Whole Loan Transfers, Agency Transfers or Securitization Transactions or (ii) that are subject to a Securitization Transaction for which the related trust is terminated for any reason, shall remain subject to this Agreement and shall continue to be serviced in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and with respect thereto this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. ARTICLE X DEFAULT Section 10.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default on the part of the Company: -80- (i) any failure by the Company to remit to the Purchaser any payment required to be made under the terms of this Agreement which 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 Company by the Purchaser; or (ii) failure by the Company duly to observe or perform in any material respect any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company set forth in this Agreement which continues unremedied for a period of 30 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Company by the Purchaser or by the Custodian; or (iii) failure by the Company to maintain its license to do business in any jurisdiction where the Mortgaged Property is located if such license is required; or (iv) a decree or order of a court or agency or supervisory authority having jurisdiction for the appointment of a conservator or receiver or liquidator in any insolvency, readjustment of debt, including bankruptcy, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, shall have been entered against the Company and such degree or order shall have remained in force undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or (v) the Company shall consent 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 Company or of or relating to all or substantially all of its property; or (vi) the Company shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, file a petition to take advantage of any applicable insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization statute, make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, voluntarily suspend payment of its obligations or cease its normal business operations for three (3) Business Days; or (vii) the Company ceases to meet the qualifications of a Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac servicer; or (viii) the Company attempts to assign its right to servicing compensation hereunder or to assign this Agreement or the servicing responsibilities hereunder in violation of Section 8.4; or (ix) the taking of any action by the Company, any Company Employee, any Affiliate or any director or employee thereof that constitutes fraud or criminal activity in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or the indictment of any of the foregoing Persons for criminal activity related to the mortgage origination or servicing activities of the Company, in each case, where -81- such indictment materially and adversely affects the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement (subject to the condition that such indictment is not dismissed within 90 days). In each and every such case, so long as an Event of Default shall not have been remedied, in addition to whatever rights the Purchaser may have at law or equity to damages, including injunctive relief and specific performance, the Purchaser, by notice in writing to the Company, may terminate with cause all the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement and in and to the Mortgage Loans and the proceeds thereof. Upon receipt by the Company of such written notice, all authority and power of the Company under this Agreement, whether with respect to the Mortgage Loans or otherwise, shall pass to and be vested in the successor appointed pursuant to Section 12.1. Upon written request from any Purchaser, the Company shall prepare, execute and deliver to the successor entity designated by the Purchaser any and all documents and other instruments, place in such successor's possession all Custodial Mortgage Files, and do or cause to be done all other acts or things necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of such notice of termination, including but not limited to the transfer and endorsement or assignment of the Mortgage Loans and related documents, at the Company's sole expense. The Company shall cooperate with the Purchaser and such successor in effecting the termination of the Company's responsibilities and rights hereunder, including without limitation, the transfer to such successor for administration by it of all cash amounts which shall at the time be credited by the Company to the Custodial Account or Subsidy Account or Escrow Account or thereafter received with respect to the Mortgage Loans. If any of the Mortgage Loans are MERS Mortgage Loans, in connection with the termination or resignation (as described in Section 8.4) of the Company hereunder, either (i) the successor servicer shall represent and warrant that it is a member of MERS in good standing and shall agree to comply in all material respects with the rules and procedures of MERS in connection with the servicing of the Mortgage Loans that are registered with MERS, or (ii) the predecessor servicer shall cooperate with the successor servicer either (x) in causing MERS to execute and deliver an assignment of Mortgage in recordable form to transfer the Mortgage from MERS to the Purchaser and to execute and deliver such other notices, documents and other instruments as may be necessary to effect a transfer of such Mortgage Loan or servicing of such Mortgage Loan on the MERS(R) System to the successor servicer or (y) in causing MERS to designate on the MERS(R) System the successor servicer as the servicer of such Mortgage Loan. Section 10.2 Waiver of Defaults. By a written notice, the Purchaser may waive any default by the Company in the performance of its obligations hereunder and its consequences. Upon any waiver of a past default, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been 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. -82- ARTICLE XI TERMINATION Section 11.1 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon any of: (i) the later of the final payment or other liquidation (or any advance with respect thereto) of the last Mortgage Loan or the disposition of any REO Property with respect to the last Mortgage Loan and the remittance of all funds due hereunder, (ii) mutual consent of the Company and the Purchaser in writing or (iii) termination pursuant to Section 10.1, 11.2 or 11.3. Section 11.2 Termination Without Cause. The Purchaser may terminate, at its sole option, any rights the Company may have hereunder, without cause, as provided in this Section 11.2. Any such notice of termination shall be in writing and delivered to the Company and any Rating Agency by registered mail as provided in Section 12.5. The Company shall be entitled to receive, as such liquidated damages, upon its termination as servicer hereunder without cause pursuant to this Section 11.2 an amount equal to 2.50% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Mortgage Loans as of the termination date paid by the Purchaser to the Company with respect to all of the Mortgage Loans. In the event of a termination pursuant to this Section 11.2, the Company shall be required, at the expense of the Purchaser, to deliver to the Custodian the entire contents of the Retained Mortgage File, to the extent such contents were not previously delivered to the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or the Custodial Agreement. Section 11.3 Termination With Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, the Purchaser, at its option, may terminate this Agreement, and any rights the Company may have hereunder, with cause upon ten (10) Business Days' prior written notice. For all purposes of determining "cause" with respect to termination of this Agreement or the rights of the Company hereunder, such term shall mean, without limitation, termination upon the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder which is not cured within any applicable cure period. In the event of a termination of the Company for cause under this Section 11.3, no liquidated damages shall be payable to the Company pursuant to Section 11.2 and the Company shall be required, at its own expense, to deliver to the Custodian the entire contents of the Retained Mortgage File, to the extent such contents were not previously delivered to the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or the Custodial Agreement. -83- ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 12.1 Successor to Company. Prior to termination of the Company's responsibilities and duties under this Agreement pursuant to Sections 8.4, 10.1 or 11.1, the Purchaser shall, (i) succeed to and assume all of the Company's responsibilities, rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) appoint a successor having the characteristics set forth in Section 8.2 and which shall succeed to all rights and assume all of the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the Company under this Agreement prior to the termination of Company's responsibilities, duties and liabilities under this Agreement. In connection with such appointment and assumption, the Purchaser may make such arrangements for the compensation of such successor out of payments on Mortgage Loans as it and such successor shall agree. In the event that the Company's duties, responsibilities and liabilities under this Agreement should be terminated pursuant to the aforementioned sections, the Company shall discharge such duties and responsibilities during the period from the date it acquires knowledge of such termination until the effective date thereof with the same degree of diligence and prudence which it is obligated to exercise under this Agreement, and shall take no action whatsoever that might impair or prejudice the rights or financial condition of its successor. The resignation or removal of the Company pursuant to the aforementioned sections shall not become effective until a successor shall be appointed pursuant to this Section 12.1 and shall in no event relieve the Company of the representations and warranties made pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.2 and the remedies available to the Purchaser under Sections 2.3, 3.3 and 6.2, it being understood and agreed that the provisions of such Sections 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 6.1 and 8.1 shall be applicable to the Company notwithstanding any such sale, assignment, resignation or termination of the Company, or the termination of this Agreement. Any successor appointed as provided herein shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the Purchaser an instrument accepting such appointment, wherein the successor shall make the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.1, except for the portion of subsection (h) relating to sale of the mortgage loans and all of subsections (j) and (l) thereof, whereupon such successor shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities of the Company, with like effect as if originally named as a party to this Agreement. Any termination or resignation of the Company or termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.4, 10.1, 11.1, 11.2 or 11.3 shall not affect any claims that any Purchaser may have against the Company arising out of the Company's actions or failure to act prior to any such termination or resignation. The Company shall deliver promptly to the successor servicer the funds in the Custodial Account, Subsidy Account and Escrow Account and all Custodial Mortgage Files and related documents and statements held by it hereunder and the Company shall account for all funds and shall execute and deliver such instruments and do such other things as may reasonably be required to more fully and definitively vest in the successor all such rights, powers, duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities of the Company. -84- Upon a successor's acceptance of appointment as such, the Company shall notify by mail the Purchaser of such appointment in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 12.5. Section 12.2 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended from time to time by written agreement signed by the Company and the Purchaser. Section 12.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder shall be determined in accordance with such laws. Each of the Company and the Purchaser hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waives any and all rights it may have to a trial by jury in respect or any litigation based on, or arising out of, under, or in connection with, this Agreement, or any other documents and instruments executed in connection herewith, or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether oral or written), or actions of the Company or the Purchaser. This provision is a material inducement for the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement. Section 12.4 Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue in existence and effect until terminated as herein provided. This Agreement shall continue notwithstanding transfers of the Mortgage Loans by the Purchaser. Section 12.5 Notices. All demands, notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered at or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: ( i) if to the Company with respect to servicing and investor reporting issues: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 1 Home Campus, MAC #X2401042 Des Moines, Iowa 503280001 Attention: John B. Brown Tel: (515) 213-7071 if to the Company with respect to all other issues: -85- Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 7430 New Technology Way Frederick, Maryland 21703 Attention: Structured Finance Manager, MAC X3906-012 Tel: (301) 846-8100; Fax: (301) 846-8152 With a copy to: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. 1 Home Campus, MAC #X240106T Des Moines, Iowa 503280001 Attention: General Counsel Tel: (515) 213-4762; Fax: (515) 213-5192 or such other address as may hereafter be furnished to the Purchaser in writing by the Company; (ii) if to Purchaser: Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company 100 Second Avenue South, Suite 200 North St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Attention: Debbie Brown Tel: (727) 825-3800; Fax: (727) 825-3821 With a copy to: Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company 85 Broad Street New York, NY 10004 Attention: Michelle Gill Tel: (212) 357-8721; Fax: (212) 902-3000 or such other address as may hereafter be furnished to the Company in writing by the Purchaser. Section 12.6 Severability of Provisions. If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall be held invalid for any reason whatsoever, then such covenants, agreements, provisions or terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement. Section 12.7 Relationship of Parties. -86- Nothing herein contained shall be deemed or construed to create a partnership or joint venture between the parties hereto and the services of the Company shall be rendered as an independent contractor and not as agent for the Purchaser. Section 12.8 Execution; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original; such counterparts, together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. Subject to Section 8.4, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by, the Company and the Purchaser and their respective successors and assigns, including without limitation, any trustee appointed by the Purchaser with respect to any Whole Loan Transfer or Securitization Transaction. The parties agree that this Agreement and signature pages thereof may be transmitted between them by facsimile and that faxed signatures may constitute original signatures and that a faxed signature page containing the signature (faxed or original) is binding on the parties. Section 12.9 Recordation of Assignments of Mortgage. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, as to each Mortgage Loan which is not a MERS Mortgage Loan, each of the Assignments of Mortgage 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, which recordation shall have been effected at the Company's expense in the event recordation is either necessary under Applicable Law or requested by the Purchaser at its sole option. Section 12.10 Assignment by Purchaser. The Purchaser shall have the right, without the consent of the Company to assign, in whole or in part, its interest under this Agreement with respect to some or all of the Mortgage Loans, and designate any Person to exercise any rights of the Purchaser hereunder, by executing an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto and the assignee or designee shall accede to the rights and obligations hereunder of the Purchaser with respect to such Mortgage Loans. All references to the Purchaser in this Agreement shall be deemed to include its assignee or designee. Section 12.11 Solicitation of Mortgagor. Neither party shall, after the related Closing Date, take any action to solicit the refinancing of any Mortgage Loan. It is understood and agreed that neither (i) promotions undertaken by either party or any affiliate of either party which are directed to the general public at large, including, without limitation, mass mailings based upon commercially acquired mailing lists, newspaper, radio, television advertisements nor (ii) serving the refinancing needs of a -87- Mortgagor who, without solicitation, contacts either party in connection with the refinance of such Mortgage or Mortgage Loan, shall constitute solicitation under this Section. -88- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Purchaser have caused their names to be signed hereto by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written. GOLDMAN SACHS MORTGAGE COMPANY By: Goldman Sachs Real Estate Funding Corp., its General Partner By:___________________________________ Name: Title: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Company By:___________________________________ Name: Title: STATE OF NEW YORK ) ) ss: COUNTY OF NEW YORK ) On the _____ day of November, 2005 before me, a Notary Public in and for said State, personally appeared __________, known to me to be the ______________ of Goldman Sachs Real Estate Funding Corp., the general partner of Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company, the partnership that executed the within instrument and also known to me to be the person who executed it on behalf of said partnership, and acknowledged to me that such corporation executed the within instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand affixed my office seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. Notary Public My Commission expires _________________ STATE OF MARYLAND ) ) ss: COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY ) On the _____ day of November, 2005 before me, a Notary Public in and for said State, personally appeared ____________, known to me to be the _______________ of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the national banking association that executed the within instrument and also known to me to be the person who executed it on behalf of said bank, and acknowledged to me that such bank executed the within instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand affixed my office seal the day and year in this certificate first above written. Notary Public My Commission expires _________________ EXHIBIT A ASSIGNMENT AND CONVEYANCE On this ___ day of __________, ____, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("Company"), as (i) the Seller under that certain Purchase Price and Terms Letter, dated as of ___________, _____ (the "PPTL"), (ii) the Company under that certain Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2005 (the "Purchase Agreement" and, together with the PPTL, the "Agreements") does hereby sell, transfer, assign, set over and convey to Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company ("Purchaser") as the Purchaser under the Agreements, and the Purchaser hereby accepts from the Company, without recourse, but subject to the terms of the Agreements, all right, title and interest of, in and to the Mortgage Loans listed on the Mortgage Loan Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Mortgage Loans"). Pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has delivered the Custodial Mortgage File to the Custodian. The Retained Mortgage File and the Servicing File for each Mortgage Loan shall be retained by the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 of the Purchase Agreement. In accordance with Article 2 of the Purchase Agreement, the Purchaser accepts the Mortgage Loans listed on Exhibit A attached hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing the Purchaser does not waive any rights or remedies it may have under the Agreements. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] A-1 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. By:_________________________________ Name:______________________________ Title:_______________________________ Accepted and Agreed: GOLDMAN SACHS MORTGAGE COMPANY By: Goldman Sachs Real Estate Funding Corp., its General Partner By:_______________________________ Name:_____________________________ Title:____________________________ A-2 EXHIBIT A MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE See attached A-3 EXHIBIT A-1 DATA FILE ELEMENTS (1) the street address of the Mortgaged Property including the city, state, county and zip code; (2) a code indicating whether the Mortgaged Property is a single family residence, a 2-4 family dwelling, a PUD, a cooperative, a townhouse, manufactured housing or a unit in a condominium project; (3) the Mortgage Interest Rate as of the Cut-off Date; (4) the current Monthly Payment; (5) original loan term, number of months; (6) the stated maturity date (and, if different, the stated maturity date indicated on the Mortgage Note on its date of origination); (7) the Stated Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loan as of the close of business on the Cut-off Date, after deduction of payments of principal due on or before the Cut-off Date; (8) the Loan-to-Value Ratio; (9) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is an Interest Only Mortgage Loan; (10) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a temporary buydown (Y or N); (11) the Servicing Fee Rate; (12) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is covered by lender-paid mortgage insurance (Y or N); (13) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a Time$aver(R) Mortgage Loan (Y or N); (14) the Mortgagor's first and last name; (15) a code indicating whether the Mortgaged Property is owner-occupied; (16) the remaining months to maturity from the Cut-off Date, based on the original amortization schedule; (17) the date on which the first Monthly Payment was due on the Mortgage Loan; (18) the last Due Date on which a Monthly Payment was actually applied to the actual principal balance; (19) the original principal amount of the Mortgage Loan; A-1-1 (20) a code indicating the purpose of the loan (i.e., purchase, financing, rate/term refinancing, cash-out refinancing); (21) the Mortgage Interest Rate at origination; (22) the date on which the first Monthly Payment was due on the Mortgage Loan; (23) a code indicating the documentation style (i.e., full (providing two years employment verification - 2 years W-2's and current pay stub or 2 years 1040's for self employed borrowers), alternative or reduced); (24) a code indicating if the Mortgage Loan is subject to a PMI Policy; (25) the Appraised Value of the Mortgage Property; (26) the sale price of the Mortgaged Property, if applicable; (27) the Mortgagor's Underwriting FICO Score; (28) term of prepayment penalty in years; (29) a code indicating the product type; (30) a code indicating the credit grade of the Mortgage Loan; (31) the unpaid balance of the Mortgage Loan as of the close of business on the Cut-off Date, after deduction of all payments of principal; (32) the Note date of the Mortgage Loan; (33) the mortgage insurance certificate number and percentage of coverage, if applicable; (34) the Mortgagor's date of birth; (35) if the Mortgage Loan is a MERS Mortgage Loan, the MIN Number for each MERS Mortgage Loan; (36) employer name; (37) subsidy program code; (38) servicer name; (39) the combined Loan-to-Value Ratio; (40) the total Loan-to-Value Ratio; (41) whether the Mortgage Loan is convertible (Y or N); A-1-2 (42) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a relocation loan (Y or N); (43) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a leasehold loan (Y or N); (44) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is an Alt A loan (Y or N); (45) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a no ratio loan (Y or N); (46) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a Pledged Asset Mortgage Loan (Y or N); (47) effective LTV percentage for Pledged Asset Mortgage Loans; (48) citizenship type code; (49) a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a conforming or non-conforming loan, based on the original loan balance; (50) the name of the client for which the Mortgage Loan was originated; (51) the program code; (52) the loan sub doc code; (53) the Company's Mortgage Loan number; (54) a field indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is a Home Loan; The Company shall provide the following For the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA): (55) the Mortgagor's and co-Mortgagor's (if applicable) ethnicity; (56) the Mortgagor's and co-Mortgagor's (if applicable) race; (57) lien status; (58) for cash-out refinance loans, the cash purpose; (59) the Mortgagor's and co-Mortgagor's (if applicable) gender; (60) the Mortgagor's and co-Mortgagor's (if applicable) social security numbers; (61) the number of units for the property; (62) the year in which the property was built; (63) the qualifying monthly income of the Mortgagor; A-1-3 (64) the number of bedrooms contained in the property; (65) a code indicating first time buyer (Y or N); (66) the total rental income, if any; The Seller shall provide the following for the adjustable rate Mortgage Loans (if applicable): (67) the maximum Mortgage Interest Rate under the terms of the Mortgage Note; (68) the Periodic Interest Rate Cap; (69) the Index; (70) the next Adjustment Date; (71) the Gross Margin; and (72) the lifetime interest rate cap. A-1-4 EXHIBIT B CONTENTS OF EACH MORTGAGE FILE With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Retained and Custodial Mortgage Files shall include the respective items listed below, which shall be available for inspection by the Purchaser and any prospective Purchaser, and which shall be retained by the Company in the Retained Mortgage File or Servicing File or delivered to the Custodian pursuant to the Custodial Agreement and Sections 2.1 and 2.3 of the Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and the Servicing Agreement to which this Exhibit is attached (the "Agreement"): With respect to each Custodial Mortgage File: (1) The original Mortgage Note bearing all intervening endorsements, endorsed "Pay to the order of ______________, without recourse" and signed in the name of the Company by an authorized officer (in the event that the Mortgage Loan was acquired by the Company in a merger, the signature must be in the following form: "[Company], successor by merger to [name of predecessor]"; and in the event that the Mortgage Loan was acquired or originated by the Company while doing business under another name, the signature must be in the following form: "[Company], formerly know as [previous name]"). (2) The originals or certified true copies of all assumption, modification, consolidation or extension agreements, with evidence of recording noted thereon if recordation is required to maintain the lien of the mortgage or is otherwise required, or, if recordation is not so required, an original or copy of any such assumption, modification, consolidation or extension agreements. (3) The original Assignment of Mortgage for each Mortgage Loan, in form and substance acceptable for recording, from the Company to "______________" or as otherwise directed by the Purchaser. If the Mortgage Loan was acquired by the Company in a merger, the Assignment of Mortgage must be made by "[Company], successor by merger to [name of predecessor]." If the Mortgage Loan was acquired or originated by the Company while doing business under another name, the Assignment of Mortgage must be by "[Company], formerly know as [previous name]." Subject to the foregoing and where permitted under the Applicable Laws of the jurisdiction wherein the Mortgaged property is located, such Assignments of Mortgage may be made by blanket assignments for Mortgage Loans secured by the Mortgaged Properties located in the same county. (4) The original of any personal endorsement, surety and/or guaranty agreement executed in connection with the Mortgage Note, if any. (5) For each Letter of Credit, the original advice of such Letter of Credit executed by the Pledge Holder and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.'s notice of transfer, executed in blank (Exhibit A to the Letter of Credit) of beneficiary of such Letter of Credit to the Purchaser or its designee. With respect to each Retained Mortgage File: B-1 (6) Except as set forth below, and for each Mortgage Loan that is not a MERS Mortgage Loan, the original Mortgage, with evidence of recording thereon or a certified true and correct copy of the Mortgage sent for recordation. If in connection with any Mortgage Loan, the Company cannot deliver or cause to be delivered the original Mortgage with evidence of recording thereon on or prior to the related Closing Date because of a delay caused by the public recording office where such Mortgage has been delivered for recordation or because such Mortgage has been lost or because such public recording office retains the original recorded Mortgage, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian, a photocopy of such Mortgage, together with (i) in the case of a delay caused by the public recording office, an Officer's Certificate of the Company stating that such Mortgage has been dispatched to the appropriate public recording office for recordation and that the original recorded Mortgage or a copy of such Mortgage certified by such public recording office to be a true and complete copy of the original recorded Mortgage will be promptly delivered to the Custodian upon receipt thereof by the Company; or (ii) in the case of a Mortgage where a public recording office retains the original recorded Mortgage or in the case where a Mortgage is lost after recordation in a public recording office, a copy of such Mortgage certified by such public recording office or by the title insurance company that issued the title policy to be a true and complete copy of the original recorded Mortgage. (7) Originals or certified true copies of all intervening assignments of the Mortgage necessary to show a complete chain of title from the original mortgagee to the Company, with evidence of recording thereon, or if any such intervening assignment has not been returned from the applicable recording office or has been lost or if such public recording office retains the original recorded assignments of mortgage, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian, a photocopy of such intervening assignment, together with (i) in the case of a delay caused by the public recording office, an Officer's Certificate of the Company stating that such intervening assignment of mortgage has been dispatched to the appropriate public recording office for recordation and that such original recorded intervening assignment of mortgage or a copy of such intervening assignment of mortgage certified by the appropriate public recording office or by the title insurance company that issued the title policy to be a true and complete copy of the original recorded intervening assignment of mortgage will be promptly delivered to the Custodian upon receipt thereof by the Company; or (ii) in the case of an intervening assignment where a public recording office retains the original recorded intervening assignment or in the case where an intervening assignment is lost after recordation in a public recording office, a copy of such intervening assignment certified by such public recording office to be a true and complete copy of the original recorded intervening assignment. (8) The original mortgage policy of title insurance or other evidence of title such as a copy of the title commitment or copy of the preliminary title commitment. (9) Any security agreement, chattel mortgage or equivalent executed in connection with the Mortgage. B-2 With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Servicing File shall include each of the following items to the extent in the possession of the Company or in the possession of the Company's agent(s): (10) For each Cooperative Loan, the original or a seller certified true copy of the following: The original Pledge Agreement entered into by the Mortgagor with respect to such Cooperative Loan; UCC-3 assignment in blank (or equivalent instrument), sufficient under the laws of the jurisdiction where the related Cooperative Apartment is located to reflect of record the sale and assignment of the Cooperative Loan to the Purchaser; Original assignment of Pledge Agreement in blank showing a complete chain of assignment from the originator of the related Cooperative Loan to the Company; Original Form UCC-1 and any continuation statements with evidence of filing thereon with respect to such Cooperative Loan; Cooperative Shares with a Stock Certificate in blank attached; Original Proprietary Lease; Original Assignment of Proprietary Lease, in blank, and all intervening assignments thereof; Original recognition agreement of the interests of the mortgagee with respect to the Cooperative Loan by the Cooperative, the stock of which was pledged by the related Mortgagor to the originator of such Cooperative Loan; and Originals of any assumption, consolidation or modification agreements relating to any of the items specified above. (11) Verification of Mortgage Insurance. (12) The original hazard insurance policy and, if required by law, flood insurance policy, in accordance with Section 4.10 of the Agreement. (13) Residential loan application. (14) Mortgage Loan closing statement. (15) Verification of employment and income, unless originated under the Company's Limited Documentation program, Fannie Mae Timesaver Plus. (16) Verification of acceptable evidence of source and amount of down payment. (17) Credit report on the Mortgagor, if available. B-3 (18) Residential appraisal report. (19) Photograph of the Mortgaged Property. (20) Survey of the Mortgaged Property, if required by the title company or Applicable Law. (21) Copy of each instrument necessary to complete identification of any exception set forth in the exception schedule in the title policy, i.e. map or plat, restrictions, easements, sewer agreements, home association declarations, etc. (22) All required disclosure statements. (23) If available, termite report, structural engineer's report, water potability and septic certification. (24) Sales contract, if applicable. (25) Evidence of payment of taxes and insurance premiums, insurance claim files, correspondence, current and historical computerized data files, and all other processing, underwriting and closing papers and records which are customarily contained in a mortgage loan file and which are required to document the Mortgage Loan or to service the Mortgage Loan. (26) Amortization schedule, if available. (27) Original power of attorney, if applicable. In the event an Officer's Certificate of the Company is delivered to the Custodian because of a delay caused by the public recording office in returning any recorded document, the Company shall deliver to the Custodian, within 240 days of the related Closing Date, an Officer's Certificate which shall (i) identify the recorded document, (ii) state that the recorded document has not been delivered to the Custodian due solely to a delay caused by the public recording office, (iii) state the amount of time generally required by the applicable recording office to record and return a document submitted for recordation, and (iv) specify the date the applicable recorded document will be delivered to the Custodian. The Company shall be required to deliver to the Custodian the applicable recorded document by the date specified in (iv) above. An extension of the date specified in (iv) above may be requested from the Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. B-4 EXHIBIT C FORM OF CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT See attached C-1 EXHIBIT D FORM OF MASTER OPINION OF COUNSEL Re: Sale of Mortgage Loans by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company Dear Sir/Madam: I am _____ of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and have acted as counsel to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the "Company"), with respect to certain matters in connection with the sale by the Company of the mortgage loans (the "Mortgage Loans") pursuant to that certain Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement (the "Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement") by and between the Company and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company (the "Purchaser"), dated as of November 1, 2005, which sale is in the form of whole Mortgage Loans. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement. I have examined the following documents: 1. the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement; 2. the Custodial Agreement; 3. the form of endorsement of the Mortgage Notes; and 4. such other documents, records and papers as I have deemed necessary and relevant as a basis for this opinion. To the extent I have deemed necessary and proper, I have relied upon the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement. I have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons and the conformity to the originals of all documents. Based upon the foregoing, it is my opinion that: 1. The Company is a national banking association duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States. 2. The Company has the power to engage in the transactions contemplated by the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement and the Custodial Agreement and all requisite power, authority and legal right to execute and deliver the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and the Mortgage Loans, and to perform and observe the terms and conditions of such instruments. D-1 3. Each person who, as an officer or attorney-in-fact of the Company, signed (a) the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, (b) the Custodial Agreement , and (c) any other document delivered prior hereto or on the date hereof in connection with the sale and servicing of the Mortgage Loans in accordance with the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement was, at the respective times of such signing and delivery, and is, as of the date hereof, duly elected or appointed, qualified and acting as such officer or attorney-in-fact, and the signatures of such persons appearing on such documents are their genuine signatures. 4. Each of the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, the Custodial Agreement and the Mortgage Loans, has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a legal, valid and binding agreement enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of insolvency, liquidation, conservatorship and other similar laws administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation affecting the enforcement of contract obligations of insured banks and subject to the application of the rules of equity, including those respecting the availability of specific performance, none of which will materially interfere with the realization of the benefits provided thereunder or with the Purchaser's ownership of the Mortgage Loans. 5. The Company has been duly authorized to allow any of its officers to execute any and all documents by original or facsimile signature in order to complete the transactions contemplated by the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement and the Custodial Agreement and in order to execute the endorsements to the Mortgage Notes and the assignments of the Mortgages, and the original or facsimile signature of the officer at the Company executing the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, the Custodial Agreement, the endorsements to the Mortgage Notes and the assignments of the Mortgages represents the legal and valid signature of said officer of the Company. 6. Either (i) no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of or compliance by the Company with the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, the Custodial Agreement or the sale and delivery of the Mortgage Loans or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement and the Custodial Agreement; or (ii) any required consent, approval, authorization or order has been obtained by the Company. 7. Neither the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, nor the fulfillment of the terms of the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement and the Custodial Agreement, will conflict with or results in or will result in a breach of or constitutes or will constitute a default under the charter or by-laws of the Company, the terms of any indenture or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or to which it is subject, or violates any statute or order, rule, regulations, writ, injunction or decree of any court, governmental authority or regulatory body to which the Company is subject or by which it is bound. 8. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the best of my knowledge, threatened against the Company which, in my opinion, either in any one instance or in the aggregate, may result in any material adverse change in the business, D-2 operations, financial condition, properties or assets of the Company or in any material impairment of the right or ability of the Company to carry on its business substantially as now conducted or in any material liability on the part of the Company or which would draw into question the validity of the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, and the Custodial Agreement, or of any action taken or to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby, or which would be likely to impair materially the ability of the Company to perform under the terms of the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement and the Custodial Agreement. 9. For purposes of the foregoing, I have not regarded any legal or governmental actions, investigations or proceedings to be "threatened" unless the potential litigant or governmental authority has manifested to the legal department of the Company or an employee of the Company responsible for the receipt of process a present intention to initiate such proceedings; nor have I regarded any legal or governmental actions, investigations or proceedings as including those that are conducted by state or federal authorities in connection with their routine regulatory activities. The sale of each Mortgage Note and Mortgage as and in the manner contemplated by the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement is sufficient fully to transfer all right, title and interest of the Company thereto as noteholder and mortgagee, apart from the rights to service the Mortgage Loans pursuant to the Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement. 10. The form of endorsement that is to be used with respect to the Mortgage Loans is legally valid and sufficient to duly endorse the Mortgage Notes to the Purchaser. Upon the completion of the endorsement of the Mortgage Notes and the completion of the assignments of the Mortgages, and the recording thereof, the endorsement of the Mortgage Notes, the delivery to the Custodian of the completed assignments of the Mortgages, and the delivery of the original endorsed Mortgage Notes to the Custodian would be sufficient to permit the entity to which such Mortgage Note is initially endorsed at the Purchaser's direction, and to whom such assignment of Mortgages is initially assigned at the Purchaser's direction, to avail itself of all protection available under Applicable Law against the claims of any present or future creditors of the Company, and would be sufficient to prevent any other sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation of the Mortgages and the Mortgage Notes by the Company from being enforceable, such that in a properly presented and argued case under title 11, United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), in which the Company were the debtor, a bankruptcy court having jurisdiction over the Company would consider the transfer of the Mortgage Loans from the Company to the Purchaser to be a true sale of the Mortgage Loans from the Company to the Purchaser and not a secured loan by the Purchaser to the Company and, accordingly, the Mortgage Loans and the payments and other collections thereon (other than those at any given time that may be commingled with unrelated funds held by the Company) and the proceeds thereof transferred to the Purchaser by the Company in accordance with the Company's Warranties and Servicing Agreement would not be deemed property of the Company's estate for purposes of Section 541 of the Bankruptcy Code or be subject to the automatic stay provisions of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code. D-3 This opinion is given to you for your sole benefit, and no other person or entity is entitled to rely hereon except that the purchaser or purchasers to which you initially and directly resell the Mortgage Loans may rely on this opinion as if it were addressed to them as of its date. Sincerely, D-4 EXHIBIT E ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN MONTHLY REMITTANCE ADVICE On the related Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to the Purchaser an initial set-up report (the "Initial Set-up Report"), dated as of the related Cut-off Date, which shall set forth certain information regarding the Mortgage Pool. Such information shall include, without limitation, the principal balance of each Mortgage Loan, the interest rate, delinquency status and any other information requested by the Purchaser. For each month after the related Closing Date, the Company shall provide a monthly remittance advice report (the "Monthly Remittance Advice Reports") to the Purchaser, which shall set forth for each Mortgage Loan, the trial balance, interest rate, delinquency, foreclosure and related default information, and such other information as may be requested by the Purchaser. The Initial Set-up Report and the Monthly Remittance Advice Reports will be delivered in an Excel format or in such other electronic format as agreed to by the parties. Each Initial Set-up Report and Monthly Remittance Advice Report shall contain only such information as is readily available to the Company and is mutually agreed to by Company and the Purchaser. E-1 EXHIBIT F FORM OF ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION AND RECOGNITION AGREEMENT ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION AND RECOGNITION AGREEMENT made this _____ day of _____________, 200_, among Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a __________________ (the "Servicer"), _________________________ a ________________________ (the "Assignee"), and _____________________________, a _______________________ (the "Assignor). WHEREAS, Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company and the Servicer have entered into a certain Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement dated as of November 1, 2005 (the "Servicing Agreement"), pursuant to which the Servicer sold certain mortgage loans listed on the mortgage loan schedule attached as an exhibit to the Servicing Agreement; WHEREAS, the Assignee has agreed on certain terms and conditions to purchase from the Assignor certain mortgage loans (the "Mortgage Loans"), which Mortgage Loans are subject to the provisions of the Servicing Agreement and are listed on the mortgage loan schedule attached as Exhibit 1 hereto (the "Mortgage Loan Schedule"); WHEREAS, pursuant to a Trust Agreement, dated as of [______ __], 200__ (the "Trust Agreement"), between GS Mortgage Securities Corp., as Depositor, and [______], as Trustee (the "Trustee"), the Assignee will transfer the Mortgage Loans to the Trustee, together with the Assignee's rights in the Sale and Servicing Agreement; NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 1. Assignment and Assumption. (a) The Assignor hereby assigns to the Assignee all of its right, title and interest in and to the Mortgage Loans and Servicing Agreement, to the extent relating to the Mortgage Loans (other than the rights of the Assignor to indemnification thereunder), and the Assignee hereby assumes all of the Assignor's obligations under the Servicing Agreement, to the extent relating to the Mortgage Loans from and after the date hereof, and the Servicer hereby acknowledges such assignment and assumption and hereby agrees to the release of the Assignor from any obligations under the Servicing Agreement from and after the date hereof, to the extent relating to the Mortgage Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that the Assignor is not released from liability for any breaches of the representations and warranties made in Section 3.6 of the Servicing Agreement, and the Assignee is not undertaking any such liability hereunder. (b) The Assignor represents and warrants to the Assignee that the Assignor has not taken any action which would serve to impair or encumber the Assignor's ownership interest in the Mortgage Loans since the date of the Servicing Agreement. F-1 (c) The Servicer and the Assignor shall have the right to amend, modify or terminate the Servicing Agreement without the joinder of the Assignee with respect to mortgage loans not conveyed to the Assignee hereunder, provided, however, that such amendment, modification or termination shall not affect or be binding on the Assignee. 2. Accuracy of Servicing Agreement. (a) The Servicer and the Assignor represent and warrant to the Assignee that (i) attached hereto as Exhibit 2 is a true, accurate and complete copy of the Servicing Agreement, (ii) the Servicing Agreement is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, (iii) the Servicing Agreement has not been amended or modified in any respect and (iv) no notice of termination has been given to the Servicer under the Servicing Agreement. 3. Recognition of Purchaser. From and after the date hereof, the Servicer shall note the transfer of the Mortgage Loans to the Assignee in its books and records, shall recognize the Assignee as the owner of the Mortgage Loans and shall service the Mortgage Loans for the benefit of the Assignee pursuant to the Servicing Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. It is the intention of the Assignor, Servicer and Assignee that the Servicing Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Servicer and the Assignee and their successors and assigns. 4. Representations and Warranties of the Assignee. The Assignee hereby represents and warrants to the Assignor as follows: (a) Decision to Purchase. The Assignee represents and warrants that it is a sophisticated investor able to evaluate the risks and merits of the transactions contemplated hereby, and that it has not relied in connection therewith upon any statements or representations of the Assignor or the Servicer other than those contained in the Servicing Agreement or this Agreement. (b) Authority. The Assignee hereto represents and warrants that it is duly and legally authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Servicing Agreement. (c) Enforceability. The Assignee hereto represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by each of the other parties hereto) constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). F-2 5. Representations and Warranties of the Assignor. The Assignor hereby represents and warrants to the Assignee as follows: (a) The Assignor has been duly organized and is validly existing as a limited partnership in good standing under the laws of the State of New York with full power and authority (corporate and other) to enter into and perform its obligations under the Servicing Agreement and this Assignment Agreement. (b) This Assignment Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Assignor, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other parties hereto, constitutes a legal, valid, and binding agreement of the Assignor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law. (c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Assignor of this Assignment Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby 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 such as has been obtained, given, effected or taken prior to the date thereof. (d) The execution and delivery of this Assignment Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Assignor; neither the execution and delivery by the Assignor of this Assignment Agreement, nor the consummation by the Assignor of the transactions therein contemplated, nor compliance by the Assignor with the provisions thereof, will conflict with or result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any of the provisions of the governing documents of the Assignor or any law, governmental rule or regulation or any material judgment, decree or order binding on the Assignor or any of its properties, or any of the provisions of any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other instrument to which the Assignor is a party or by which it is bound. (e) There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Assignor, threatened, before or by any court, administrative agency, arbitrator or governmental body (A) with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by this Assignment Agreement or (B) with respect to any other matter that in the judgment of the Assignor will be determined adversely to the Assignor and will if determined adversely to the Assignor materially adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Assignment Agreement. (f) Except for the sale to the Assignee, the Assignor has not assigned or pledged any Mortgage Note or the related Mortgage or any interest or participation therein. F-3 (g) The Assignor has not satisfied, canceled, or subordinated in whole or in part, or rescinded the Mortgage, and the Assignor has not released the Mortgaged Property from the lien of the Mortgage, in whole or in part, nor has the Assignor executed an instrument that would effect any such release, cancellation, subordination, or rescission. The Assignor has not released any Mortgagor, in whole or in part, except in connection with an assumption agreement or other agreement approved by the related Federal Insurer, to the extent such approval was required. It is understood and agreed that the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 5 shall survive delivery of the respective Custodial Mortgage Files to the Custodian and shall inure to the benefit of the Assignee and its assigns notwithstanding any restrictive or qualified endorsement or assignment. Upon the discovery by the Assignor or the Assignee and its assigns of a breach of the foregoing representations and warranties, the party discovering such breach shall give prompt written notice to the other parties to this Assignment Agreement, and in no event later than two (2) Business Days from the date of such discovery. It is understood and agreed that the obligations of the Assignor set forth in Section 6 to repurchase a Mortgage Loan constitute the sole remedies available to the Assignee and its assigns on their behalf respecting a breach of the representations and warranties contained in this Section 5. It is further understood and agreed that the Assignor shall be deemed not to have made the representations and warranties in this Section 5 with respect to, and to the extent of, representations and warranties made, as to the matters covered in this Section 5, by the Servicer in the Servicing Agreement (or any officer's certificate delivered pursuant thereto). It is understood and agreed that the Assignor has made no representations or warranties to the Assignee other than those contained in this Section 5, and no other affiliate of the Assignor has made any representations or warranties of any kind to the Assignee. 6. Repurchase of Mortgage Loans. Upon discovery or notice of any breach by the Assignor of any representation, warranty, or covenant under this Assignment Agreement that materially and adversely affects the value of any Mortgage Loan or the interest of the Assignee therein (it being understood that any such defect or breach shall be deemed to have materially and adversely affected the value of the related Mortgage Loan or the interest of the Assignee therein if the Assignee incurs a loss as a result of such defect or breach), the Assignee promptly shall request that the Assignor cure such breach and, if the Assignor does not cure such breach in all material respects within 60 days from the date on which it is notified of the breach, the Assignee may enforce the Assignor's obligation hereunder to purchase such Mortgage Loan from the Assignee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if such breach is a Qualification Defect, such cure or repurchase must take place within 75 days of the Defect Discovery Date. In the event the Servicer has breached a representation or warranty under the Servicing Agreement that is substantially identical to a representation or warranty breached by the Assignor hereunder, the Assignee shall first proceed against the Servicer. If the Servicer does not within 60 days after notification of the breach, take steps to cure such breach (which may include certifying to progress made and requesting an extension of the time to cure such breach, as permitted under the Servicing Agreement) or purchase, or substitute for the Mortgage F-4 Loan, the Trustee shall be entitled to enforce the obligations of the Assignor hereunder to cure such breach or to purchase the Mortgage Loan from the Trust. In such event, the Assignor shall succeed to the rights of the Assignee to enforce the obligations of the Servicer to cure such breach or repurchase such Mortgage Loan under the terms of the related Servicing Agreement with respect to such Mortgage Loan. Except as specifically set forth herein, the Assignee shall have no responsibility to enforce any provision of this Assignment Agreement, to oversee compliance hereof, or to take notice of any breach or default thereof. 7. Continuing Effect. Except as contemplated hereby, the Servicing Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. 8. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 9. Notices. Any notices or other communications permitted or required hereunder or under the Servicing Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed conclusively to have been given if personally delivered at or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, and return receipt requested or transmitted by telex, telegraph or telecopier and confirmed by a similar mailed writing, to: (i) in the case of the Servicer, [_________________, ____________________] or such address as may hereafter be furnished by the Servicer; (ii) in the case of the Assignee, _______________, _______________, Attention: ________________, or such other address as may hereafter be furnished by the Assignee, and (iii) in the case of the Assignor, __________________, Attention: _________________, or such other address as may hereafter be furnished by the Assignor. 10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 11. Definitions. Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement has the same meaning as in the Servicing Agreement. F-5 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the day and year first above written. ASSIGNEE: By:____________________________________ Name:__________________________________ Title:_________________________________ ASSIGNOR: By:____________________________________ Name:__________________________________ Title:_________________________________ Acknowledged by: SERVICER: By: ____________________ Name:___________________ Title:__________________ F-6 EXHIBIT G FORM OF COMPANY OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE I, ______________________, hereby certify that I am a duly elected [Vice President] of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States (the "Company") and further as follows: 1. Attached hereto as Exhibit 1 is a true, correct and complete copy of the articles of association of the Company which is in full force and effect on the date hereof. 2. Attached hereto as Exhibit 2 is a true, correct and complete copy of the bylaws of the Company which are in effect on the date hereof. 3. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Second Amended and Restated Master Seller's Warranties and Servicing Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2005 (the "Sale and Servicing Agreement") and the Custodial Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2004 (the "Custodial Agreement" and, together with the Sale and Servicing Agreement, the "Agreements") are in the ordinary course of business of the Company. 4. A true and correct copy of the resolution of the Mortgage Banking Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the Company to enter into the Agreements is attached hereto as Exhibit 3. 5. Each person who, as an officer or representative of the Company, signed (a) the Sale and Servicing Agreement, or (b) any other document delivered prior hereto or on the date hereof in connection with any transaction described in the Agreements was, at the respective times of such signing and delivery a duly elected or appointed, qualified and acting officer or representative of the Company and the signatures of such persons appearing on such documents are their genuine signatures. 6. No proceedings for dissolution, merger, consolidation, liquidation, conservatorship or receivership of the Company or for the sale of all or substantially all of its assets is pending, or to my knowledge threatened, and no such proceeding is contemplated by the Company. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of the Company. Dated: By:____________________________________ Title: Vice President G-1 I, __________________ the Secretary of __________________________, hereby certify that _______________________ is a duly elected and acting Vice President of the Company and that the signature appearing above is his genuine signature. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name. Dated: By: __________________________________ Title: Secretary G-2 EXHIBIT H FORM OF ANNUAL CERTIFICATION I, ______________________, Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the "Servicer"), certify to __________________, and its officers, directors, agents and affiliates (in its role as ____________, the "____________"), and with the knowledge and intent that they will rely upon this certification, that: (i) Based on my knowledge, the information relating to the Mortgage Loans and the servicing thereof submitted by the Servicer to the ___________ which is used in connection with preparation of the reports on Form 8-K and the annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to each transaction listed on the attached Exhibit A, taken as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading as of the date of this certification; (ii) The servicing information required to be provided to the _____________ by the Servicer under the relevant servicing agreements has been provided to the ______________; (iii) I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the Servicer under the relevant servicing agreements and based upon the review required by the relevant servicing agreements, and except as disclosed in the Annual Statement of Compliance, the Annual Independent Public Accountant's Servicing Report and all servicing reports, officer's certificates and other information relating to the servicing of the Mortgage Loans submitted to the ___________, the Servicer has, as of the date of this certification fulfilled its obligations under the relevant servicing agreements; and (iv) I have disclosed to the ___________ all significant deficiencies relating to the Servicer's compliance with the minimum servicing standards in accordance with a review conducted in compliance with the Uniform Single Attestation Program for Mortgage Bankers or similar standard as set forth in the relevant servicing agreements. (v) The Servicer shall indemnify and hold harmless the ___________ and its officers, directors, agents and affiliates from and against any losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, reasonable legal fees and related costs, judgments and other costs and expenses arising out of or based upon a breach by the Servicer or any of its officers, directors, agents or affiliates of its obligations under this Certification or the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Servicer in connection therewith. If the indemnification provided for herein is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless the ___________, then the Servicer agrees that it shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the ___________ H-1 as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities of the ___________ in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the ___________ on the one hand and the Servicer on the other in connection with a breach of the Servicer's obligations under this Certification or the Servicer's negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in connection therewith. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of the Servicer. Dated: By: __________________________________ Name: Title: H-2 EXHIBIT I SERVICING CRITERIA TO BE ADDRESSED IN ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE The assessment of compliance to be delivered by [the Company][Name of Subservicer] shall address, as a minimum, the criteria identified below as "Applicable Servicing Criteria"

I-2 EXHIBIT J SARBANES CERTIFICATION Re: The [ ] agreement dated as of [ ], 200[ ] (the "Agreement"), among [IDENTIFY PARTIES] I, ________________________________, the _______________________ of [Name of Servicer] (the "Servicer"), certify to [the Purchaser], [the Depositor], and the [Master Servicer] [Securities Administrator] [Trustee], and their officers, with the knowledge and intent that they will rely upon this certification, that: (1) I have reviewed the servicer compliance statement of the Servicer provided in accordance with Item 1123 of Regulation AB (the "Compliance Statement"), the report on assessment of the Servicer's compliance with the servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB (the "Servicing Criteria"), provided in accordance with Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and Item 1122 of Regulation AB (the "Servicing Assessment"), the registered public accounting firm's attestation report provided in accordance with Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 under the Exchange Act and Section 1122(b) of Regulation AB (the "Attestation Report"), and all servicing reports, officer's certificates and other information relating to the servicing of the Mortgage Loans by the Servicer during 200[ ] that were delivered by the Servicer to the [Depositor] [Master Servicer] [Securities Administrator] [Trustee] pursuant to the Agreement (collectively, the "Servicer Servicing Information"); (2) Based on my knowledge, the Servicer Servicing Information, taken as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period of time covered by the Servicer Servicing Information; (3) Based on my knowledge, all of the Servicer Servicing Information required to be provided by the Servicer under the Agreement has been provided to the [Depositor] [Master Servicer] [Securities Administrator] [Trustee]; (4) I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the Servicer under the Agreement, and based on my knowledge and the compliance review conducted in preparing the Compliance Statement and except as disclosed in the Compliance Statement, the Servicing Assessment or the Attestation Report, the Servicer has fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement; and (5) The Compliance Statement required to be delivered by the Servicer pursuant to the Agreement, and the Servicing Assessment and Attestation Report required to be provided by the Servicer and by each Subservicer and Subcontractor pursuant to the Agreement have been provided to the [Depositor] [Master Servicer]. Any material instances of noncompliance described in such reports have been disclosed to the [Depositor] [Master Servicer]. Any material instance of noncompliance with the Servicing Criteria has been disclosed in such reports. Date: By:_________________________ Name:_______________________ Title:______________________ I-1 EXHIBIT Q Comprehensive Amended and Restated Servicing Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2005 by and among Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association [See Exhibit 99.11 to Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 14, 2006, Accession No. 0000905148-06-002297] Q-1 EXHIBIT R Amended and Restated Master Mortgage Loan Purchase and Interim Servicing Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2005, between First National Bank of Nevada and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company [See Exhibit 99.5 to Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 14, 2006, Accession No. 0000905148-06-002297] R-1 EXHIBIT S Servicing Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2004, between Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company, as amended by Amendment Reg AB [See Exhibit 99.3 to Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 13, 2006, Accession No. 0000905148-06-002297] S-1 EXHIBIT T Master Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2004, between Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. and Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company, as amended by Amendment Reg AB [See Exhibit 99.3 to Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 13, 2006, Accession No. 0000905148-06-002297] T-1 EXHIBIT U Amendment Reg AB to the Master Mortgage Loan Purchase and Servicing Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2006, among Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company, Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. and Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP [See Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 14, 2006, Accession No. 0000905148-06-002297] U-1

GSAA Home Equity Trust 2006-8 8-K/A