AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Among

Aames Investment Corp.,

Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co.

and

AHL Acquisition, LLC

Dated as of May 24, 2006

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (hereinafter called this "Agreement"), dated as of May 24, 2006, among Aames Investment Corp., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co., a Delaware corporation ("Acquiror"), and AHL Acquisition, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror ("Merger Sub", the Company and Merger Sub sometimes being hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Constituent Entities.")

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors of each of Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company have approved the merger of the Company with and into Merger Sub (the "Merger") upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and have approved this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Company, Acquiror and Merger Sub intend, by executing this Agreement, to adopt a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and cause the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code;

WHEREAS, the Company, Acquiror and Merger Sub desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with this Agreement;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and as a condition to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement the stockholders of the Company set forth on Schedule 1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule are entering into voting agreements in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (the "Company Voting Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and as a condition to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement James A. Konrath and Joseph J. Lydon are entering into voting agreements in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (the "Acquiror Voting Agreement").

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

The Merger; Closing; Effective Time

1.1. The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3) the Company shall be merged with and into Merger Sub and the separate corporate existence of the Company shall thereupon cease. Merger Sub shall be the surviving company in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Surviving Company"), and the separate limited liability company existence of Merger Sub with all its rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises shall continue unaffected by the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects specified in the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended (the "MGCL").

1.2. Closing. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing between the Company and Acquiror, the closing for the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place (i) at the offices of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP ("DLAPRGC"), 4365 Executive Drive, Suite 1100, San Diego, California, at 9:00 A.M. on the first business day (the "Closing Date") following the day on which the last to be satisfied or waived of the conditions set forth in Article VII (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the

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fulfillment or waiver of those conditions) shall be satisfied or waived in accordance with this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "business day" shall mean any day ending at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banks are required or authorized to close in California.

1.3. Effective Time. As soon as practicable following the Closing, the Company and Acquiror will cause Articles of Merger (the "Maryland Articles of Merger") to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland as provided in Section 3-107 of the MGCL. The Merger shall become effective at the time when the Maryland Articles of Merger have been duly filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland or at such later time as may be agreed by the parties and specified in the Maryland Articles of Merger (the "Effective Time").

ARTICLE II

Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement

of the Surviving Company

2.1. The Articles of Organization. The articles of organization of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the articles of organization of the Surviving Company (the "Articles of Organization"), until duly amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

2.2. The Operating Agreement. The operating agreement of the Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the operating agreement of the Surviving Company (the "Operating Agreement"), until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

ARTICLE III

Officers and Managers

of the Surviving Company

3.1. Managers. The parties hereto shall take all actions necessary so that the managers of Merger Sub at the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the managers of the Surviving Company until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Operating Agreement.

3.2. Officers. The parties hereto shall take all actions necessary so that the officers of Merger Sub at the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the officers of the Surviving Company until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Operating Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

Effect of the Merger on Capital Stock;
Exchange of Certificates

4.1. Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any capital stock of the Company:

(a) Merger Consideration. Subject to the allocation and election procedures in Section 4.2, each share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (a "Share" or, collectively, the "Shares") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares owned by Acquiror or Merger Sub and Shares owned by the Company, and in each case not held on behalf of third parties (each, an "Excluded Share" and collectively, "Excluded Shares")) shall be converted into, and become exchangeable for (i) cash in an

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amount equal to the product of $51.94 and the Exchange Ratio (as defined below) carried out to four decimal places (the "Cash Consideration") or (ii) a portion of a share of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Acquiror (the "Acquiror Common Stock") equal to the Exchange Ratio (the "Stock Consideration" and, together with the Cash Consideration, the "Merger Consideration") as determined in accordance with Section 4.2. At the Effective Time, all of the Shares shall cease to be outstanding, shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each certificate (a "Certificate") formerly representing any of such Shares (other than Excluded Shares) shall thereafter represent only the right to the Merger Consideration and the right, if any, to receive pursuant to Section 4.2(e) cash in lieu of fractional shares into which such Shares have been converted pursuant to this Section 4.1(a) and any distribution or dividend pursuant to Section 4.2(c). The "Exchange Ratio" shall mean the product of (A) 0.1030 multiplied by (B) 1 minus a quotient, the numerator of which shall be the aggregate amount of any dividends or other distributions declared or paid by the Company pursuant to Section 6.1(b) and the denominator of which shall be the Aggregate Consideration (as defined below). The "Aggregate Consideration" shall mean the product of (A) $5.35 and (B) the aggregate number of outstanding Shares and Shares issuable in respect of outstanding Company Awards (as defined below) immediately prior to the Effective Time.

(b) Cancellation of Shares. Each Excluded Share shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, cease to be outstanding, shall be cancelled without payment of any consideration therefor and shall cease to exist.

(c) Merger Sub. At the Effective Time, the membership interests in Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain unchanged and shall remain as the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Surviving Company.

4.2. Allocation of Merger Consideration; Election Procedures.

(a) Allocation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the maximum number of Shares (the "Cash Election Number") to be converted into the right to receive Cash Consideration in the Merger shall be equal to (i) that number of whole Shares determined by dividing the Cash Pool (as defined below) by the Cash Consideration less (ii) the number of Shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 4.1(b). The number of Shares to be converted into the right to receive Stock Consideration in the Merger (the "Stock Election Number") shall be equal to the number of Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger less the sum of (i) the Cash Election Number and (ii) the number of Shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 4.1(b). "Cash Pool" shall mean (A) 32% of the Aggregate Consideration minus (B) the aggregate amount of dividends, if any, declared or paid by the Company after the date hereof and on or prior to the Closing Date.

(b) Election Procedures.

(i) As of the Effective Time, Acquiror shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with an exchange agent selected by Acquiror, with the Companys prior approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (the "Exchange Agent"), for the benefit of the holders of Shares, certificates representing the shares of the Acquiror Common Stock, cash in immediately available funds necessary for the Cash Consideration and any dividends or other distributions with respect to the Acquiror Common Stock to be issued or paid pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2(c) in exchange for outstanding Shares upon due surrender of the Certificates pursuant to the provisions of this Article IV (such cash and certificates for shares of the Acquiror Common Stock, together with the amount of any dividends or other distributions payable with respect thereto, being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Fund"). The Exchange Agent shall invest the Exchange Fund as directed by Acquiror, provided such investments shall be in United States government securities with a maturity period of thirty (30) days or less or in certificates of deposit, treasury instruments or other securities customarily used in a transaction of this type issued by any United States bank with at least $1 billion in assets. Any interest and other income resulting from such investment shall become a part of the Exchange Fund, and any amounts in excess of the amounts payable under Section 4.1(a) shall be promptly returned to Acquiror.

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(ii) Subject to allocation and proration in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.2(b), each record holder of Shares (other than Excluded Shares) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Election Deadline (as defined below) shall be entitled (A) to elect to receive in respect of each such Share (x) Cash Consideration (a "Cash Election") or (y) Stock Consideration (a "Stock Election") or (B) to indicate that such record holder has no preference as to the receipt of Cash Consideration or Stock Consideration for such Shares (a "Non-Election"). Shares in respect of which a Non-Election is made (including shares in respect of which such an election is deemed to have been made pursuant to this Section 4.2(b) and Section 4.3 (collectively, "Non-Election Shares") shall be deemed by Acquiror, in its sole and absolute discretion, subject to Sections 4.2(b)(v)-(vii), to be, in whole or in part, Shares in respect of which Cash Elections or Stock Elections have been made.

(iii) Elections pursuant to Section 4.2(b)(ii) shall be made on a form and with such other provisions to be reasonably agreed upon by the Company and Acquiror (a "Form of Election") to be provided by the Exchange Agent for that purpose to holders of record of Shares (other than holders of Excluded Shares), together with appropriate transmittal materials, at the time of mailing to holders of record of Shares of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement (as defined in Section 6.3(a)). Elections shall be made by mailing to the Exchange Agent a duly completed Form of Election. To be effective, a Form of Election must be (x) properly completed, signed and submitted to the Exchange Agent at its designated office, by 5:00 p.m., on the business day that is two trading days prior to the Closing Date (which date shall be publicly announced by Acquiror as soon as practicable but in no event less than five trading days prior to the Closing Date) (the "Election Deadline") and (y) accompanied by the Certificate(s) representing the Shares as to which the election is being made (or by an appropriate guarantee of delivery of such Certificate(s) by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program, provided that such Certificates are in fact delivered to the Exchange Agent within three trading days after the date of execution of such guarantee of delivery). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make a Form of Election available to all Persons who become holders of record of Shares (other than Excluded Shares) between the date of mailing described in the first sentence of this Section 4.2(b)(iii) and the Election Deadline. Acquiror shall determine, in its reasonable discretion, which authority it may delegate in whole or in part to the Exchange Agent, whether Forms of Election have been properly completed, signed and submitted or revoked. Neither Acquiror nor the Exchange Agent will be under any obligation to notify any Person of any defect in a Form of Election submitted to the Exchange Agent. A holder of Shares that does not submit an effective Form of Election prior to the Election Deadline shall be deemed to have made a Non-Election.

(iv) An election may be revoked, but only by written notice received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Election Deadline. Any Certificate(s) representing Shares that have been submitted to the Exchange Agent in connection with an election shall be returned without charge to the holder thereof in the event such election is revoked as aforesaid and such holder requests in writing the return of such Certificate(s). Upon any such revocation, unless a duly completed Form of Election is thereafter submitted in accordance with paragraph (b)(ii), such Shares shall be Non-Election Shares. In the event that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof and any Shares have been transmitted to the Exchange Agent pursuant to the provisions hereof, such Shares shall promptly be returned without charge to the Person submitting the same.

(v) In the event that the aggregate number of Shares in respect of which Cash Elections have been made (collectively, the "Cash Election Shares") exceeds the Cash Election Number, all shares in respect of which Stock Elections have been made (the "Stock Election Shares") and all Non-Election Shares in respect of which Stock Elections are deemed to have been made (it being understood that in such case all Non-Election Shares shall be deemed to be Shares in respect of which Stock Elections have been made) shall be converted into the right to receive Stock Consideration, and all Cash Election Shares shall be converted into the right to receive Stock Consideration or Cash Consideration in the following manner:

(A) Cash Election Shares shall be deemed converted to Stock Election Shares, on a pro-rata basis for each record holder of Shares with respect to those Shares, if any, of such record holder that are Cash Election Shares, so that the number of Cash Election Shares so converted, when added to the other Stock

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Election Shares, shall equal as closely as practicable the Stock Election Number, and all such Cash Election Shares so converted shall be converted into the right to receive Stock Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional interests); and

(B) any remaining Cash Election Shares shall be converted into the right to receive Cash Consideration.

(vi) In the event that the aggregate number of Stock Election Shares exceeds the Stock Election Number, all Cash Election Shares and all Non-Election Shares in respect of which Cash Elections are deemed to have been made (it being understood that in such case all Non-Election Shares shall be deemed to be Shares in respect of which Cash Elections have been made) shall be converted into the right to receive Cash Consideration, and all Stock Election Shares shall be converted into the right to receive Stock Consideration or Cash Consideration in the following manner:

(A) Stock Election Shares shall be deemed converted into Cash Election Shares, on a pro-rata basis for each record holder of Shares with respect to those Shares, if any, of such record holder that are Stock Election Shares, so that the number of Stock Election Shares so converted, when added to the other Cash Election Shares, shall equal as closely as practicable the Cash Election Number, and all such Shares so converted shall be converted into the right to receive the Cash Consideration; and

(B) the remaining Stock Election Shares shall be converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional interests).

(vii) In the event that neither clause (v) nor clause (vi) of this Section 4.2(b) is applicable, Non-Election Shares shall be deemed Stock Election Shares such that the total Stock Election Shares equals the Stock Election Number and any remaining Non-Election Shares shall be deemed Cash Election Shares and (x) all Cash Election Shares and all Non-Election Shares in respect of which Cash Elections are deemed to have been made shall be converted into the right to receive Cash Consideration, and (y) all Stock Election Shares and all Non-Election Shares in respect of which Stock Elections are deemed to have been made shall be converted into the right to receive Stock Consideration (and cash in lieu of fractional interests).

(viii) The Exchange Agent, in consultation with Acquiror and the Company, shall make all computations to give effect to this Section 4.2(b).

(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares; Voting.

(i) All shares of the Acquiror Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall be deemed issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and whenever a dividend or other distribution is declared by Acquiror in respect of the Acquiror Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the Effective Time, that declaration shall include dividends or other distributions in respect of all shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement. No dividends or other distributions in respect of the Acquiror Common Stock shall be paid to any holder of any unsurrendered Certificate until such Certificate (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section 4.2(g)) is surrendered for exchange in accordance with this Article IV. Subject to the effect of applicable laws, following surrender of any such Certificate (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section 4.2(g)), there shall be issued and/or paid to the holder of the certificates representing whole shares of the Acquiror Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (A) at the time of such surrender, the dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore payable with respect to such whole shares of the Acquiror Common Stock and not paid and (B) at the appropriate payment date, the dividends or other distributions payable with respect to such whole shares of the Acquiror Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time but with a payment date subsequent to surrender.

(ii) Holders of unsurrendered Certificates shall be entitled to vote after the Effective Time at any meeting of Acquiror stockholders the number of whole shares of the Acquiror Common Stock represented by such Certificates, regardless of whether such holders have exchanged their Certificates.

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(d) Transfers. From and after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company of the Shares that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

(e) Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no fractional shares of the Acquiror Common Stock will be issued and any holder of Shares entitled to receive a fractional share of the Acquiror Common Stock but for this Section 4.2(e) shall be entitled to receive a cash payment in lieu thereof, which payment shall be calculated by the Exchange Agent and shall represent such holders proportionate interest in a share of the Acquiror Common Stock based on the average closing price of the Acquiror Common Stock for the five consecutive trading day period ending with and including the Closing Date.

(f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund (including the proceeds of any investments thereof and any of the Acquiror Common Stock) that remains unclaimed by the stockholders of the Company for 180 days after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Acquiror. Any holder of Shares (other than Excluded Shares) who has not theretofore complied with this Article IV shall thereafter look only to Acquiror for delivery of any certificates for shares of the Acquiror Common Stock of such stockholders and payment of any cash, dividends and other distributions in respect thereof payable and/or issuable pursuant to Section 4.1 and Section 4.2(c) upon due surrender of their Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section 4.2(g)), in each case, without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of Acquiror, the Surviving Company, the Exchange Agent or any other Person shall be liable to any former holder of Shares for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, Governmental Entity (as defined in Section 5.1(d)(i)) or other entity of any kind or nature.

(g) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if reasonably required by Acquiror, the posting by such Person of a bond in customary and reasonable amount and upon such terms as may reasonably be required by Acquiror as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the shares of the Acquiror Common Stock and any cash, unpaid dividends or other distributions that would be payable or deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement had such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate been surrendered.

(h) Withholding Rights. Each of Acquiror and the Surviving Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Shares such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any other applicable state, local or foreign Tax (as defined in Section 5.1(o)) law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Surviving Company or Acquiror, as the case may be, such withheld amounts (i) shall be remitted by Acquiror or the Surviving Company, as applicable, to the applicable Governmental Entity, and (ii) shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Shares in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Surviving Company or Acquiror, as the case may be.

4.3. Appraisal Rights. In accordance with Section 3-202(c)(1) of the MGCL, no appraisal rights shall be available to holders of Shares in connection with the Merger.

4.4. Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the issued and outstanding Shares or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for Shares or the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquiror Common Stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of the Acquiror Common Stock, shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class by reason of any reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), stock dividend or distribution, recapitalization, redenomination, merger (but only a merger involving the Company and not Acquiror), issuer tender or exchange offer, or other similar

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transaction then the Merger Consideration shall be equitably adjusted and as so adjusted shall, from and after the date of such event, be the Merger Consideration.

4.5. Company Awards.

(a) At the Effective Time, each right of any kind, contingent or accrued, to acquire or receive Shares or benefits measured by the value of Shares, and each award of any kind consisting of Shares that may be held, awarded, outstanding, payable or reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan (as defined in Section 5.1(b)(i)) and any other Company Benefits Plans (as defined in Section 5.1(h)(i)), (the "Company Awards"), shall be deemed to be converted into the right to the Merger Consideration and each Share with respect thereto shall thereupon be treated as a Non-Election Share. Except as specifically provided above, following the Effective Time, each such right shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the rights under the Stock Plan or other Company Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time.

(b) Registration. If registration of any interests in the Stock Plan or other Company Benefit Plans or the shares of the Acquiror Common Stock issuable thereunder is required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), Acquiror shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") within 15 business days after the Effective Time a registration statement on Form S-8 with respect to such interests or the Acquiror Common Stock, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement for so long as the relevant Stock Plan or other Company Benefit Plans, as applicable, remain in effect and such registration of interests therein or the shares of the Acquiror Common Stock issuable thereunder continues to be required. As soon as practicable after the registration of such interests or shares, as applicable, Acquiror shall deliver to the holders of Company Awards appropriate notices setting forth such holders rights pursuant to the Stock Plan and agreements evidencing the grants of such Company Awards, and stating that such Company Awards and agreements have been assumed by Acquiror and shall continue in effect on the same terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments required by this Section 4.5 after giving effect to the Merger and the terms of the Stock Plan).

(c) Corporate Actions. At or prior to the Effective Time, the Company, the board of directors of the Company and the compensation committee of the board of directors of the Company, as applicable, shall adopt any resolutions and take any actions which are necessary to effectuate the provisions of Section 4.5(a).

ARTICLE V

Representations and Warranties

5.1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as set forth in the Company Reports (other than any exhibits thereto and other than any Current Reports on Form 8-K) or in the corresponding sections or subsections of the disclosure schedule delivered to Acquiror by the Company prior to entering into this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure Schedule") (it being agreed that disclosure of any item (i) in any section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection to which the relevance of such item is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure and (ii) in the Company Reports shall be deemed to be adequate disclosure with respect to a representation or warranty only if it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that it relates to such representation or warranty), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Acquiror and Merger Sub that:

(a) Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws (as defined in Section 5.1(k)) of its respective jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and is qualified, licensed or admitted to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification, licensing or admission, except where the failure to be so organized, qualified, licensed or admitted or in such

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good standing, or to have such power or authority, are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). The Company has made available to Acquiror complete and correct copies of the Companys Charter and Bylaws, each as amended to the date hereof, and each as so delivered is in full force and effect. As used in this Agreement, the term

(i) "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which at least a majority of the securities or ownership interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries and (ii) "Company Material Adverse Effect" means any state of facts, change development, event, effect, condition or occurrence (including any breach of a representation or warranty contained herein by the Company) that, individually or in the aggregate, is material and adverse to the financial condition, properties, assets, liabilities, business or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or to the ability of the Company to perform timely its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement on a timely basis; provided, however, that none of the following, in and of itself or themselves, shall constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect:

(A) changes in the economy or financial markets generally in the United States or that are the result of acts of war or terrorism;

(B) changes that are the result of factors generally affecting the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate;

(C) any loss of, or adverse change in, the relationship of the Company with its customers, employees or suppliers proximately caused by the pendency or the announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that the Company shall bear the burden of demonstrating the cause of such loss or change;

(D) changes in United States generally accepted accounting principles or in any statute, rule or regulation after the date hereof;

(E) any failure by the Company to meet any estimates of revenues or earnings for any period ending on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing; provided that the exception in this clause shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, effect, circumstance or development underlying such failure has resulted in, or contributed to, a Company Material Adverse Effect; and

(F) a decline in the price of the Company Common Stock on the NYSE; provided that the exception in this clause shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, effect, circumstance or development underlying such decline has resulted in, or contributed to, a Company Material Adverse Effect;

provided, further, that, with respect to clauses (A), (B), and (D), such change, event, circumstance or development does not (i) primarily relate only to (or have the effect of primarily relating only to) the Company and its Subsidiaries or (ii) significantly disproportionately adversely affect the Company and its Subsidiaries compared to other companies of similar size operating in the principal industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate.

(b) Capital Structure.

(i) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 500,000,000 Shares, of which 61,938,689 Shares were outstanding and 1,371,325 Shares were issuable in respect of outstanding Company Awards as of the close of business on May 22, 2006 and 160,000,000, shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no shares are outstanding. All of the outstanding Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The Company has no Shares reserved for issuance, except that, as of May 22, 2006, there were 550,643 Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Companys 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Stock Plan"). Section 5.1(b)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth as of the date hereof and with respect to each holder of Company Awards under the Stock Plan the type(s) of Company Award held by such holder, the total number of vested Shares subject to such holders Company Awards and the number of unvested Shares subject to such holders Company Awards. Each

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of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities of each of the Companys Subsidiaries is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and owned by the Company or by a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, pledge, security interest, claim or other encumbrance (a "Lien"). Except as set forth above, there are no preemptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, agreements, arrangements, calls, commitments or rights of any kind that obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell any shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any securities or obligations convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any Person a right to subscribe for or acquire, any securities of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, and no securities or obligations evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding. As used in this Agreement, "Significant Subsidiary" is as defined in Rule 1.02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Upon any issuance of any Shares in accordance with the terms of the Stock Plan, such Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free and clear of any Liens. The Company does not have outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of the Company on any matter. Assuming the continued listing of the Shares on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq NMS or Nasdaq Small Cap Market, no holder of Shares has any right to dissent to the Merger under the applicable provisions of the MGCL.

(ii) Section 5.1(b)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth (x) each of the Companys Subsidiaries and the ownership interest of the Company in each such Subsidiary, as well as the ownership interest of any other Person or Persons in each such Subsidiary and (y) the Companys or its Subsidiaries capital stock, equity interest or other direct or indirect ownership interest in any other Person other than securities in a publicly traded company held for investment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and consisting of less than 5% of the outstanding capital stock of such company. The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any voting interest in any Person that requires an additional filing by Acquiror under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"). To the Companys Knowledge, there are no agreements among other parties, to which neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is a party and by which neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries are bound, with respect to the voting (including voting trusts or proxies) or sale or transfer (including agreements relating to rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or "drag-along" rights) of any securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries. There are no outstanding commitments, understandings, arrangements or contractual obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Company common stock or Company preferred stock or capital stock of its Subsidiaries or to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a loan, except in accordance with the ordinary and usual course of business of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any other Person.

(c) Corporate Authority; Approval and Fairness.

(i) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement subject only to approval of the Merger by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote on such matter at a stockholders meeting duly called and held for such purpose (the "Requisite Company Vote"), and to consummate the Merger. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles (the "Bankruptcy and Equity Exception").

(ii) The board of directors of the Company has (A) determined that the Merger is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, approved and declared advisable the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and resolved to recommend approval of the Merger to the holders of Shares (the "Company Recommendation"), (B) directed that the Merger be submitted to the holders of Shares for their approval and (C) received the opinion of its financial advisor, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, to the effect that the Merger Consideration is fair, as of the date of such opinion, to such holders (other than Acquiror and its

[[Page A-9]]

Subsidiaries). It is agreed and understood that such opinion is for the benefit of the Companys board of directors and may not be relied on by Acquiror or Merger Sub. The board of directors of the Company has taken all action so that Acquiror will not be an "interested stockholder" or prohibited from entering into or consummating a "business combination" with the Company (in each case as such term is used in Section 3-602 of the MGCL) as a result of the execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions in the manner contemplated hereby.

(d) Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts, Etc. (i) Other than the filings and/or notices (A) pursuant to Section 1.3, (B) under the HSR Act, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, (C) required to be made with the NYSE, (D) state securities, takeover and "blue sky" laws and (E) required by applicable state Governmental Entities with regulatory authority over mortgage banking or settlement services, no notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by the Company with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations required to be obtained by the Company from, any domestic or foreign governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission, body, court or other legislative, executive or judicial governmental entity (each a "Governmental Entity"), in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, except those that the failure to make or obtain are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company do not, and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will not, constitute or result in (A) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the Charter or Bylaws of the Company or the comparable governing instruments of any of its Subsidiaries, (B) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a breach or violation of, a termination (or right of termination) or a default under, the creation or acceleration of any obligations or the creation of a Lien on any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any agreement, lease, license, contract, note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation (each, a "Contract") binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, assuming (solely with respect to performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby) compliance with the matters referred to in Section 5.1(d)(i), under any Law to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject or (C) any change in the rights or obligations of any party under any Contract binding on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except, in the case of clause (B) or (C) above, for any such breach, violation, termination, default, creation, acceleration or change that, individually or in the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Company Reports; Financial Statements. (i) The Company has filed or furnished, as applicable, on a timely basis all forms, statements, certifications, reports and documents required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since December 31, 2004 (the "Applicable Date") (the forms, statements, reports and documents filed or furnished since the Applicable Date and those filed or furnished subsequent to the date hereof including any amendments thereto, the "Company Reports"). Each of the Company Reports, at the time of its filing or being furnished, complied, or if not yet filed or furnished, will comply, in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act"), and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company Reports. As of their respective dates (or, if amended prior to the date hereof, as of the date of such amendment) the Company Reports did not, and any Company Reports filed or furnished with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

(ii) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the NYSE. Except as permitted by the Exchange Act, including Sections 13(k)(2) and (3) or rules of the SEC, since the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, neither the Company nor

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any of its "Affiliates" (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) has made, arranged or modified (in any material way) any extension of credit in the form of a personal loan to any executive officer or director of the Company.

(iii) The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act. Such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company is recorded and reported on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of the Companys filings with the SEC and other public disclosure documents. The Company maintains internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15, as applicable, under the Exchange Act). Such internal control over financial reporting is effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the asset of the Company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Companys assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements. The Company has disclosed, based on the most recent evaluation of its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer prior to the date hereof, to the Companys auditors and the audit committee of the Companys board of directors (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of its internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and has identified for the Companys auditors and audit committee of the Companys board of directors any material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Since the Applicable Date, no material complaints from any source regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and no concerns from Company employees regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, have been received by the Company. No attorney representing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has reported evidence of a violation of securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents to the Companys chief legal officer, audit committee (or other committee designated for the purpose) of the board of directors or the board of directors pursuant to the rules in adopted pursuant to Section 307 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or any Company policy contemplating such reporting, including in instances not required by those rules.

(iv) Each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated by reference into the Company Reports (including the related notes and schedules) fairly presents, or, in the case of Company Reports filed after the date hereof, will fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of its date and each of the consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders equity (deficit) and cash flows included in or incorporated by reference into the Company Reports (including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents, or in the case of Company Reports filed after the date hereof, will fairly present in all material respects the results of operations, retained earnings (loss) and changes in financial position, as the case may be, such companies for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to notes and normal year-end audit adjustments that will not be material in amount or effect), in each case in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") consistently applied during the periods involved, except as may be noted therein.

(f) Absence of Certain Changes. Since December 31, 2005 and through the date hereof, the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in, and have not engaged in any material transaction other than according to, the ordinary and usual course of such businesses and there has not been:

(i) any change in the financial condition, properties, assets, liabilities, business or results of their operations or any circumstance, occurrence or development (including any adverse change with respect to

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any circumstance, occurrence or development existing on or prior to December 31, 2005) of which the Company has Knowledge which, individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect;

(ii) any material damage, destruction or other casualty loss with respect to any material asset or property owned, leased or otherwise used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not covered by insurance; or

(iii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with respect to any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except for dividends or other distributions by any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary to the Company or to any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company) or any repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any outstanding shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

As used in this Agreement, the term "Knowledge" (or any similar formulation of "knowledge") with respect to any Person shall mean the actual knowledge of those facts that are actually known by any of the executive officers of such Person, after reasonable inquiry with respect to the matters covered in this Agreement.

(g) Litigation. There are no civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, claims, hearings, arbitrations, investigations or other proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for those that are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or subject to the provisions of any material judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any Governmental Entity which is, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Employee Benefits.

(i) All material benefit and compensation plans, contracts, policies or arrangements covering current or former employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (the "Employees") and current or former directors of the Company, including "employee benefit plans" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and deferred compensation, severance, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, Company stock based, incentive and bonus plans (the "Company Benefit Plans") other than Company Benefit Plans maintained outside of the United States (such plans hereinafter referred to as "Company Non-U.S. Benefit Plans") are listed on Schedule 5.1(h)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. True and complete copies of all Company Benefit Plans listed on Schedule 5.1(h)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule have been made available to Acquiror.

(ii) All Company Benefit Plans, other than "multiemployer plans" within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA (each, a "Multiemployer Plan") and Company Non-U.S. Benefit Plans (collectively, "Company U.S. Benefit Plans") are in compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and other applicable laws, except such failures to comply as are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Company U.S. Benefit Plan which is subject to ERISA (a "Company ERISA Plan") that is an "employee pension benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (a "Company Pension Plan") intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), and no circumstances exist that are likely to result in the loss of the qualification of such Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code, which could not be remedied in a manner that would not result in a material liability. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in a transaction with respect to any ERISA Plan that could subject the Company or any Subsidiary to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA, except for such taxes or penalties as are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred or reasonably expects to incur a tax

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or penalty imposed by Section 4980F of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA or any liability under Section 4071 of ERISA, except for such taxes or penalties as are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(iii) No liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated "single-employer plan", within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly maintained by any of them, or the single-employer plan of any entity which is considered one employer with the Company under Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code (a "Company ERISA Affiliate"). The Company and its Subsidiaries have not incurred and do not expect to incur any withdrawal liability with respect to a Multiemployer Plan under Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA (regardless of whether based on contributions of a Company ERISA Affiliate). No notice of a "reportable event", within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the reporting requirement has not been waived or extended, other than pursuant to Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") Reg. Section 4043.33 or 4043.66, has been required to be filed for any Company Pension Plan or by any Company ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof or will be required to be filed in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No notices have been required to be sent to participants and beneficiaries or the PBGC under Section 302 or 4011 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code (including Section 412(m)).

(iv) All contributions required to be made under each Company Benefit Plan, as of the date hereof, have been timely made and all obligations in respect of each Company Benefit Plan have been properly accrued and reflected in the most recent consolidated balance sheet filed or incorporated by reference in the Company Reports prior to the date hereof. Neither any Company Pension Plan nor any single-employer plan of a Company ERISA Affiliate has an "accumulated funding deficiency" (whether or not waived) within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and no Company ERISA Affiliate has an outstanding funding waiver. Neither any Pension Plan nor any single-employer plan of a Company ERISA Affiliate has been required to file information pursuant to Section 4010 of ERISA for the current or most recently completed plan year. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has provided, or is required to provide, security to any Company Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of a Company ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

(v) As of the date hereof, there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company threatened, litigation relating to the Company Benefit Plans. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligations for retiree health and life benefits under any Company ERISA Plan or collective bargaining agreement. The Company or its Subsidiaries may amend or terminate any such plan at any time without incurring any liability thereunder other than in respect of claims incurred prior to such amendment or termination.

(vi) None of the execution of this Agreement, the stockholder approval of the Merger or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (w) entitle any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to severance pay or any increase in severance pay upon any termination of employment after the date hereof, (x) accelerate the time of payment or vesting or result in any payment or funding (through a grantor trust or otherwise) of compensation or benefits under, increase the amount payable or result in any other material obligation pursuant to, any of the Company Benefit Plans, (y) limit or restrict the right of the Company or, after the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, Acquiror to merge, amend or terminate any of the Company Benefit Plans or (z) result in payments under any of the Company Benefit Plans which would not be deductible under Section 162(m) or Section 280G of the Code.

(vii) All Company Non-U.S. Benefit Plans comply in all material respects with applicable local law. All Company Non-U.S. Benefit Plans are listed on Schedule 5.1(h)(vii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. The Company and its Subsidiaries have no material unfunded liabilities with respect to any such Company Non-U.S. Benefit Plan.

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(viii) To the Knowledge of the Company, each Company Benefit Plan that is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan subject to Section 409A of the Code has been operated in good faith compliance with Section 409A of the Code and IRS Notice 2005-1 since January 1, 2005.

(i) Employment Matters. Except in each case as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations respecting employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, in each case, with respect to Employees; (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have withheld and reported all amounts required by Law or by agreement to be withheld and reported with respect to wages, salaries and other payments to Employees; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries are not liable for any arrears of wages or any taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing; (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries are not liable for any payment to any trust or other fund or to any governmental or administrative authority, with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for Employees (other than routine payments to be made in the normal course of business and consistent with past practice); and (v) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has direct or indirect liability with respect to any misclassification of any person as an independent contractor rather than as an employee, or with respect to any employee leased from another employer. There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, claims, hearings, arbitrations, investigations or other proceedings against the Company and its Subsidiaries by or before (or, in the case of any threatened matter, that could be brought before) any court, governmental agency, administrative agency, board, commission or arbitrator brought by or on behalf of any prospective, current or former Employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(j) Labor. No work stoppage or labor strike against the Company or its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened. The Company has no Knowledge of any activities or proceedings of any labor union to organize any Employees and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is presently, nor has it been in the past, a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement or union contract with respect to Employees. There are no actions, suits, claims, labor disputes or grievances pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened relating to any labor, safety or discrimination matters involving any Employee, including charges of unfair labor practices or discrimination complaints. There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened actions, suits, claims, hearings, arbitrations, investigations or other proceedings against the Company and its Subsidiaries by or before (or, in the case of any threatened matter, that could be brought before) any court, governmental agency, administrative agency, board, commission or arbitrator with respect to any unfair labor practices within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be likely to result in any such actions, suits, claims, hearings, arbitrations, investigations or proceedings. Except in each case as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or any similar state or local law which remains unsatisfied.

(k) Compliance with Laws. The businesses of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries have not been, and are not being, conducted in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute or ordinance, common law or any rule, regulation, standard, judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, arbitration award, agency requirement, license or permit of any Governmental Entity (collectively, "Laws"), except for violations that, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except with respect to regulatory matters covered by Section 6.5, no investigation or review by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor has any Governmental Entity indicated an intention to conduct the same, except for those the outcome of which are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries each has obtained and is in compliance with all permits, certifications, approvals, registrations, consents, authorizations, franchises, variances, exemptions and orders issued or granted by a Governmental Entity ("Licenses") necessary to conduct its business as presently conducted except those the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

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(l) Takeover Statutes. No "fair price," "moratorium," "control share acquisition" or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation (each a "Takeover Statute") or any anti-takeover provision in the Companys Charter or Bylaws is applicable to the Company, the Shares, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(m) Environmental Matters. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in substantial compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; are not the subject of any pending written notice from any Governmental Entity alleging the violation of any applicable Environmental Laws; are not currently subject to any court order, administrative order or decree arising under any Environmental Law; have not used any of their properties for the disposal of Hazardous Substances; and have not had any emissions or discharges of Hazardous Substances except as permitted under applicable Environmental Laws.

As used in this Agreement, the term "Environmental Law" means any applicable law, regulation, code, license, permit, order, judgment, decree or injunction from any Governmental Entity (A) relating to the protection of the environment, (including air, water, soil and natural resources) or (B) the use, storage, handling, release or disposal of Hazardous Substances, in each case as presently in effect.

As used in this Agreement, the term "Hazardous Substance" means any substance to the extent presently listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous, toxic or radioactive under any applicable Environmental Law including petroleum and any derivative or by-products thereof.

(n) Tax Matters. As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action, nor does the Company have any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance, that would prevent the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement from qualifying as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

(o) Taxes. For purposes of this Agreement, "Taxes" (including, with correlative meaning, the word "Tax") shall include any and all federal, state, county, local, foreign or other taxes, charges, duties, levies or other assessments imposed by any Tax authority, including all net income, alternative minimum, gross income, sales and use, ad valorem, transfer, gains, profits, excise, franchise, real and personal property, gross receipts, capital stock, business and occupation, disability, employment, payroll, production, value added, license, estimated, stamp, mortgage or recording, custom duties, severance, withholding or other taxes, fees, or assessments, together with any interest and penalties on or additions to any such Taxes. "Tax Returns" (including, with correlative meaning, "Tax Return") shall mean federal, state, local and foreign returns (including elections, declarations, disclosures, schedules, estimates, and information returns), required to be filed with any Tax authority relating to Taxes. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein:

(i) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, or requests for extensions to file such Tax Returns have been timely filed or granted and have not expired, and all such Tax Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects;

(ii) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid all Taxes shown as due on the Tax Returns referred to in Section 5.1(o) except with respect to matters contested in good faith;

(iii) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have withheld and timely paid to the applicable Tax authority or Governmental Entity with respect to their employees all federal and state income Taxes, Taxes pursuant to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), Taxes pursuant to the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) and other Taxes required to be withheld except with respect to matters contested in good faith;

(iv) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any material liability for any unpaid Taxes as of the date of the most recent Company Reports which has not been accrued for or reserved in the financial statements included in such Company Reports;

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(v) No requests for waivers of the time to assess any Taxes against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been granted or are pending;

(vi) No audits or other proceedings by any Governmental Entity or Tax authority are presently pending or threatened with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

(vii) The Company has made available to Acquiror complete and accurate copies of all material Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries for all years for which the applicable statute of limitations has not expired, and any amendments thereto;

(viii) There are no Liens for Taxes upon the assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries, other than Liens for current Taxes not yet due and payable;

(ix) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has been a "United States Real Property Holding Corporation" within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code;

(x) The Company has elected to be taxed as a "real estate investment trust" (a "REIT") under the Code for each taxable year of its existence, and for each taxable period during which the Company has been taxed as a REIT under the Code: (A) the Company was in compliance with each of the requirements to qualify as a REIT under the Code; (B) the Internal Revenue Service did not at any time revoke the REIT status of the Company; (C) the Company did not terminate its election to be taxed as REIT; (D) the Company has incurred no liability for taxes under Section 857(b), 860(c), or 4981, including any tax arising from a prohibited transaction described in Section 857(b)(6); (E) the Company neither owns nor is deemed to own any interest in a taxable mortgage pool under Section 7701(i) of the Code; (F) the Company meets the requirements described in Section 368(a)(2)(F)(ii) of the Code; and (G) the Company has properly reported all "excess inclusion" income as defined in the Code to its stockholders incurred as a result of the Companys actual or deemed interest in any taxable mortgage pool or any real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC), and paid any Taxes imposed on the Company in respect of such income; and

(xi) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has engaged in any transaction: (A) that is the same as, or substantially similar to, a transaction which is a "reportable transaction" or "listed transaction" as defined in Section 6011 of the Code and the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations, or (B) of which it has made disclosure to any Tax authority for the purpose of avoiding the imposition of any penalties or additions to Tax.

(p) Intellectual Property.

(i) The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets that are owned, used or held by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and to the Companys Knowledge, such Trade Secrets have not been used, disclosed to or discovered by any person except pursuant to valid and appropriate non-disclosure and/or license agreements which have not been breached.

(ii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have granted any licenses or other rights to third parties to use, practice or otherwise exploit any of their Intellectual Property other than non-exclusive licenses granted by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business pursuant to standard terms which have been previously made available to Acquiror.

(iii) To the Knowledge of the Company, no product or service of the Company or its Subsidiaries infringes on the rights of or constitutes misappropriation of any Intellectual Property of any third person or entity. To the Companys Knowledge, no third party is infringing or misappropriating any Intellectual Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(iv) The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken appropriate measures consistent with industry standards to protect and maintain the confidential nature of the personal information provided to the Company and its Subsidiaries and no third party has, to the Companys Knowledge, gained unauthorized access to such personal information.

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(v) The IT Assets operate and perform in all material respects in accordance with their documentation and functional specifications and otherwise as required by the Company in connection with its business. To the Companys Knowledge, no person has gained unauthorized access to the IT Assets. The Company has implemented reasonable backup and disaster recover technology consistent with industry practices.

(vi) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

"Intellectual Property" means all (i) trademarks, service marks, brand names, certification marks, collective marks, d/b/as, Internet domain names, logos, symbols, trade dress, trade names, and other indicia of origin, all applications and registrations for the foregoing, and all goodwill associated therewith and symbolized thereby, including all renewals of same; (ii) inventions and discoveries, whether patentable or not, and all patents, registrations, invention disclosures and applications therefore, including divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part and renewal applications, and including renewals, extensions and reissues; (iii) confidential information, trade secrets and know-how, including processes, schematics, business methods, formulae, drawings, prototypes, models, designs, customer lists and supplier lists and all other information that derives independent economic value from not being generally known to the public or to other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use (collectively, "Trade Secrets"); (iv) published and unpublished works of authorship, whether copyrightable or not (including databases and other compilations of information), copyrights therein and thereto, and registrations and applications therefore, and all renewals, extensions, restorations and reversions thereof; and (v) all other intellectual property or proprietary rights.

"IT Assets" means computers, computer software, firmware, middleware, servers, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, data communications lines, and all other information technology equipment, and all associated documentation.

(q) Company Real Property.

(i) As of the date hereof, the Company does not own any real property other than property acquired upon foreclosure or similar proceedings in the ordinary course of business.

(ii) The Company holds a valid tenant leasehold interest under a lease or sublease for those properties that it occupies.

(iii) The Company has made available to Acquiror a complete, correct and current copy of the leases relating to each parcel of real property (collectively, the "Company Real Property") identified as leased to it or any of its Subsidiaries (the "Company Leases"), including any written modifications and supplements entered into prior to the date hereof. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect: (A) the Company or its applicable Subsidiary and, to the Knowledge of the Company, all other parties to the Company Leases have duly and timely performed their obligations and are not in default under the Company Leases; (B) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has given or received any notice of a default under any of the Company Leases; and (C) no event has occurred or condition exists that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would constitute a default by the Company or its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party under any of the Company Leases. As of the date hereof, the Company has not received any written notice of cancellation or termination of any Company Lease.

(iv) The use of the Company Real Property by the Company and its Subsidiaries in their business as presently and ordinarily conducted conforms with applicable zoning laws, regulations and permits, except where the failure to conform would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in the Company Leases, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is obligated under or bound by any agreement, option, right of first refusal, purchase contract or other contractual right to sell or lease or dispose of any Company Real Property or any portions thereof to any third party.

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(r) Insurance. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, all insurance policies which are owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries and which name the Company or a Subsidiary as an insured, including self-insurance programs and those which pertain to the assets, directors, officers, employees or operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries are in full force and effect and neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in default thereunder. As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of cancellation of any such insurance policies.

(s) Affiliate Transactions. There are no contracts, commitments, agreements, arrangements or other transactions between the Company or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any (i) present officer or director of the Company or any of their immediate family members (including their spouses) or (ii) affiliate of any such officer, director, family member or beneficial owner, on the other hand, in each case that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K.

(t) Representations Regarding Mortgage Banking Business. To the extent that any matter is subject to a representation and warranty under this Section 5.1(t), that is the sole and exclusive representation and warranty made by the Company with respect to such matter in this Agreement and applies to the exclusion of any other representation and warranty to the extent that other representation and warranty could be construed to address the same matter.

(i) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 5.1(t), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

"Agency" means HUD or the applicable State Agency.

"Applicable Requirements" means and includes, as of the time of reference, with respect to the origination, servicing, insuring, purchase, sale or filing of claims in connection with Residential Mortgage Loans all of the following: (A) all contractual obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any Originator including any contained in a Mortgage Loan Document or in an Investor Agreement, (B) applicable Laws binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Originator and (C) all other applicable requirements, handbooks, manuals and guidelines of the Company and its Subsidiaries and of each Governmental Entity having jurisdiction, including those of any Investor or Insurer that insured or purchased the Residential Mortgage Loan.

"Foreclosure" means the process culminating in the acquisition of title to a Mortgaged Property in a foreclosure sale or by a deed in lieu of foreclosure or pursuant to any other comparable procedure allowed under Applicable Requirements.

"HUD" means the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Insurer" means a Person who insures or guarantees all or any portion of the risk of loss on any Residential Mortgage Loan, including any provider of PMI, standard hazard insurance, flood insurance, earthquake insurance or title insurance, with respect to any Residential Mortgage Loan or related Mortgaged Property.

"Investor" means any Person who owns or holds Mortgage Loans, or servicing rights related thereto, sold by the Company or any Subsidiary.

"Investor Agreement" means an agreement pursuant to which an Investor purchased Mortgage Loans.

"Mortgage" means a mortgage, deed of trust or other security instrument that creates a lien on real property.

"Mortgage Loan" means any Residential Mortgage Loan, other than a Warehouse Loan, that was originated or purchased and subsequently sold by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and that has not been repaid or refinanced.

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"Mortgage Loan Documents" means the documents relating to Residential Mortgage Loans required by Applicable Requirements to originate and service the Residential Mortgage Loans, whether on hard copy, microfiche or its equivalent or in electronic format and, to the extent required by Applicable Requirements, credit and closing packages and disclosures.

"Mortgage Note" means, with respect to a Residential Mortgage Loan, a promissory note or notes, or other evidence of indebtedness, with respect to such Residential Mortgage Loan secured by a Mortgage or Mortgages, together with any assignment, reinstatement, extension, endorsement or modification thereof.

"Mortgaged Property" means the real property that secures a Mortgage Note and that is subject to a Mortgage.

"Mortgagor" means the obligor(s) on a Mortgage Note or owners of a Mortgage Property.

"Originator" means, with respect to any Residential Mortgage Loan, each entity or individual that (i) took the relevant Mortgagors loan application, (ii) processed the relevant Mortgagors loan application or (iii) closed and/or funded such Residential Mortgage Loan.

"PMI" means the default insurance provided by private mortgage insurance companies.

"Prior Servicer" means any party that was a servicer or subservicer of any Residential Mortgage Loan before the Company or any Subsidiary or the current Servicer, as applicable, became the servicer or subservicer of the Residential Mortgage Loan.

"Residential Mortgage Loan" means a loan evidenced by a Mortgage Note with respect to which the Mortgaged Property is Residential Property.

"Residential Property" means any Mortgaged Property, securing a Residential Mortgage Loan, consisting of a single parcel of real property with a detached single-family residence thereon, or a two- to four-family dwelling, a townhouse, or an individual condominium unit in a condominium, a cooperative unit, or an individual unit in a planned unit development.

"State Agency" means any state agency or other entity with authority to regulate the activities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the origination or servicing of Residential Mortgage Loans or to determine the investment or servicing requirements with regard to mortgage loan origination, purchasing, servicing, master servicing or certificate administration performed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

"Warehouse Loan" means a Residential Mortgage Loan secured by a Mortgage, that, as of the Effective Time, is owned by the Company.

(ii) Lender and Servicer Qualifications.

(A) To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company and each appropriate Subsidiary have during the last three (3) years held and currently hold all material Licenses necessary to conduct its respective current mortgage banking business, except for such Licenses as relate to the maintenance of a branch office.

(B) The Company and its Subsidiaries have been and are in compliance with all Applicable Requirements applicable to it, its assets and its conduct of business, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries have timely filed, or will have timely filed by the Closing Date, all material reports required to be filed by any Investor, Governmental Entity or Insurer or by any Applicable Requirements. To the Knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have done or caused to be done, or have failed to do or

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omitted to be done, any act, the effect of which would operate to invalidate or materially impair (1) any private mortgage insurance or commitment of any private mortgage Insurer to insure, (2) any title insurance policy, (3) any hazard insurance policy, (4) any flood insurance policy, (5) any fidelity bond, direct surety bond, or errors and omissions insurance policy required by private mortgage insurers, or (6) any surety or guaranty agreement, except for such invalidations or impairments as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No Agency, Investor or private mortgage Insurer has (x) claimed that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has violated or has not complied with the applicable underwriting standards with respect to the Mortgage Loans sold by the Company or any Subsidiary to an Investor or Agency, or with respect to any sale of mortgage servicing rights to an Investor or (y) imposed restrictions on the activities (including commitment authority) of the Company or any Subsidiary, except in each case as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No Agency or Investor has indicated to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that it has terminated or intends to terminate its relationship with the Company or any such Subsidiary for poor performance, poor loan quality or concern with respect to the Companys or any Subsidiarys compliance with Laws.

(C) As of the date hereof, the Company does not have Knowledge of any reason why (1) all regulatory approvals from any Governmental Entity required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement should not be obtained on a timely basis or (2) any condition to the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement as set forth in Article VII should not be satisfied on a timely basis.

(iii) Warehouse Loans and Mortgage Loans.

(A) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, each Warehouse Loan (1) is eligible, for sale to, and insurance by, or pooling to collateralize securities issued or guaranteed by, the applicable Investor, Agency or Insurer; (2) is evidenced by a Mortgage Note with such terms as are customary in the business; (3) is duly secured by a mortgage with such terms as are customary in the business and which grants the holder thereof either a first lien on the subject property (including any improvements thereon) with respect to Warehouse Loans originated as first mortgages, and with respect to Warehouse Loans originated as second mortgages, a second priority lien on the subject property, and which constitutes a security interest that has been duly perfected and maintained (or is in the process of perfection in due course) and is in full force and effect and is insured by a title policy issued by a company acceptable to the applicable Agency or Investor to the extent required by the applicable Agency or Investor; (4) is accompanied by a hazard insurance policy covering improvements on the Mortgaged Property subject to such Mortgage, with a loss payee clause in favor of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or the assignee of the Company or one its Subsidiaries, which insurance policy or policies covers such risks as are customarily insured against in accordance with industry practice and in accordance with Investor or Agency requirements, and which includes flood insurance and/or special hazard insurance where either is required by an Investor or Agency or requested by the Mortgagor; and (5) is covered by a policy of private mortgage insurance, if required by the terms of any Contract or any applicable Law. The Company and its Subsidiaries have complied with all of their obligations under the insurance policies described in this clause (iii) and the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied with all applicable provisions of any such insurance or guaranty contract or policy and applicable Law, the insurance or guaranty is in full force and effect with respect to each such Warehouse Loan, and there is no default that would result in the revocation of any such insurance or guaranty, in each case except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(B) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, as of the date the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sold each Mortgage Loan, the Mortgage Loan (1) was eligible for sale to, and insurance by, or pooling to collateralize securities issued or guaranteed by, the applicable Investor, Agency or Insurer; (2) was evidenced by a Mortgage Note with such terms as were customary in the business; (3) was duly secured by a mortgage with such terms as were customary in the business and which granted the holder thereof either a first lien on the subject property (including any

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improvements thereon) with respect to Mortgage Loans originated as first mortgages, and with respect to Mortgage Loans originated as second mortgages, a second priority lien on the subject, and which constituted a security interest that had been duly perfected and maintained (or was in the process of perfection in due course) and was in full force and effect and was insured by a title policy issued by a company acceptable to the applicable Agency or Investor to the extent required by the applicable Agency or Investor; (4) accompanied by a hazard insurance policy covering improvements on the Mortgaged Property subject to such Mortgage, with a loss payee clause in favor of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or the assignee of the Company one its Subsidiaries, which insurance policy or policies covered such risks as were customarily insured against in accordance with industry practice and in accordance with Investor or Agency requirements, and which included flood insurance and/or special hazard insurance where either was required by an Investor or Agency or requested by the Mortgagor; and (5) covered by a policy of private mortgage insurance, if required by the terms of any Contract or any applicable Law. As of the date the Company sold each Mortgage Loan, the Company and its Subsidiaries had complied with all of their obligations under the insurance policies described in this clause (iii) and the Company and its Subsidiaries had complied with all applicable provisions of any such insurance or guaranty contract or policy and applicable Law, the insurance or guaranty was in full force and effect with respect to each such Mortgage Loan, and there was no default that would result in the revocation of any such insurance or guaranty, in each case except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(C) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, to the Knowledge of the Company, all Warehouse Loans are genuine, valid and legally binding obligations of the Mortgagor thereunder, have been duly executed by a Mortgagor of legal capacity, are enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, and are not subject to any right of rescission, set off, counterclaim or defense, subject to (i) the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception, (2) applicable Laws requiring creditors to proceed against the collateral before pursuing the borrower and (3) applicable Laws on deficiencies. Set forth in Section 5.1(t)(C)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule is the number of loans that have been modified, extended or deferred by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the 12 months preceding the date hereof that resulted in any such loan that was previously reflected as delinquent being classified as current for servicing reporting purposes.

(D) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, as of the date the Company sold each Mortgage Loan, the Mortgage Loan was a genuine, valid and legally binding obligation of the Mortgagor thereunder, had been duly executed by a Mortgagor of legal capacity, was enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, and was not subject to any right of rescission, set off, counterclaim or defense, subject to (1) the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception, (2) applicable Laws requiring creditors to proceed against the collateral before pursuing the borrower and (3) applicable Laws on deficiencies.

(E) All Warehouse Loans owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries are owned free and clear of any Lien other than Liens in favor of the Companys or such Subsidiarys lender banks pursuant to financing arrangements. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has, with respect to any such Warehouse Loan, released any security therefor, except upon receipt of Investor or Agency approval, or accepted prepayment of any such Warehouse Loan which has not been promptly applied to such Warehouse Loan in accordance with the terms thereof. To the Knowledge of the Company, there exists no physical damage to any Mortgaged Property securing any Warehouse Loan, which physical damage is not insured against in compliance with the Applicable Requirements or would cause any Warehouse Loan to become delinquent or adversely affect the value or marketability of any Warehouse Loan, except as would not individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(F) The Company has provided Acquiror with a true and accurate copy of the internal policies and procedures of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries with respect to the origination, insuring, purchase, sale, servicing or filing of claims in connection with Residential Mortgage Loans.

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(iv) No Recourse. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to (A) any Contract with (or otherwise obligated to) any Person, including an Investor, Agency or Insurer, to repurchase from any such Person any Warehouse Loan, Mortgaged Property or previously disposed Mortgage Loans; or (B) any Contract to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless any Person or otherwise assume any Liability with respect to any loss suffered or incurred as a result of any default under or the Foreclosure or sale of any such Warehouse Loan, Mortgaged Property, or previously disposed Mortgage Loans, except in either case where such recourse is based upon a breach by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries of a customary representation, warranty or undertaking.

(u) Brokers and Finders. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders, fees in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement except that the Company has employed CSFB as its financial advisor.

5.2. Representations and Warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub. Except as set forth in Acquirors Reports (other than any exhibits thereto and other than any Current Reports on Form 8-K) or in the corresponding sections or subsections of disclosure schedule delivered to the Company by Acquiror on or prior to entering into this Agreement (the "Acquiror Disclosure Schedule") (it being agreed that disclosure of any item

(i) in any section or subsection of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection to which the relevance of such item is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure and

(ii) in the Acquiror Reports shall be deemed to be adequate disclosure with respect to a representation or warranty only if it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that it relates to such representation or warranty), Acquiror and Merger Sub each hereby represent and warrant to the Company that:

(a) Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. Each of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and is qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so organized, qualified or in such good standing, or to have such power or authority, are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have an Acquiror Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). Acquiror has made available to the Company complete and correct copies of Acquirors certificate of incorporation and by-laws, each as amended to the date hereof, and each as so delivered is in full force and effect. As used in this Agreement, the term "Acquiror Material Adverse Effect" means any state of facts, change, development, event, effect, condition or occurrence (including any breach of a representation or warranty contained herein by Acquiror) that, individually or in the aggregate, is material and adverse to the financial condition, properties, assets, liabilities, business or results of operations of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the ability of the Acquiror to perform timely its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement on a timely basis; provided, however, that none of the following, in and of itself or themselves, shall constitute an Acquiror Material Adverse Effect:

(A) changes in the economy or financial markets generally in the United States or that are the result of acts of war or terrorism;

(B) changes that are the result of factors generally affecting the industry in which Acquiror and its Subsidiaries operate;

(C) changes in United States generally accepted accounting principles or in any statute, rule or regulation after the date hereof;

(D) any loss of, or adverse change in, the relationship of Acquiror with its customers, employees or suppliers proximately caused by the pendency or the announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that Acquiror shall bear the burden of demonstrating the cause of such loss or change;

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(E) any failure by Acquiror to meet any estimates of revenues or earnings for any period ending on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing; provided that the exception in this clause shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, effect, circumstance or development underlying such failure has resulted in, or contributed to, an Acquiror Material Adverse Effect; and

(F) a decline in the price of the Acquiror Common Stock on the NASDAQ; provided that the exception in this clause shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, effect, circumstance or development underlying such decline has resulted in, or contributed to, an Acquiror Material Adverse Effect;

provided, further, that, with respect to clauses (A), (B), and (C), such change, event, circumstance or development does not (i) primarily relate only to (or have the effect of primarily relating only to) Acquiror and its Subsidiaries or (ii) significantly disproportionately adversely affect Acquiror and its Subsidiaries compared to other companies of similar size operating in the principal industry in which Acquiror and its Subsidiaries operate.

(b) Capitalization of Merger Sub. All of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Merger Sub are, and at the Effective Time will be, owned by Acquiror, and there are (i) no other membership interests or voting securities of Merger Sub, (ii) no securities of Merger Sub convertible into or exchangeable for membership interests or voting securities of Merger Sub and (iii) no options or other rights to acquire from Merger Sub, and no obligations of Merger Sub to issue, any membership interests, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital membership interests or voting securities of Merger Sub. Merger Sub has not conducted any business prior to the date hereof and has no, and prior to the Effective Time will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those incident to its formation and pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(c) Capital Structure of Acquiror.

(i) The authorized capital stock of Acquiror consists of 40,000,000 shares of the Acquiror Common Stock, of which 21,548,973 shares were outstanding as of the close of business on May 23, 2006, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock no par value (the "Acquiror Preferred Shares"), of which no shares were outstanding as of the close of business on May 23, 2006. All of the outstanding shares of the Acquiror Common Stock have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Acquiror has no shares of the Acquiror Common Stock reserved for issuance, except that, as of May 23, 2006, there were 6,334,922 shares of the Acquiror Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to Acquirors Deferred Compensation Plan, 1995 Stock Option Plan, 1995 Executive Stock Option Plan, 1998 Stock Option Plan and 2002 Stock Option Plan. Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of Acquirors Subsidiaries is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and owned by Acquiror or by a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Acquiror, free and clear of any Lien. Except as set forth above, there are no preemptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, agreements, arrangements, calls, commitments or rights of any kind that obligate Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries to issue or to sell any shares of capital stock or other securities of Acquiror or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any securities or obligations convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any Person a right to subscribe for or acquire, any securities of Acquiror or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, and no securities or obligation evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding. Acquiror does not have outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of Acquiror on any matter.

(ii) Section 5.2(c)(ii) of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule sets forth (x) each of Acquirors Subsidiaries and the ownership interest of Acquiror in each such Subsidiary, as well as the ownership interest of any other Person or Persons in each such Subsidiary and (y) Acquirors or its Subsidiaries capital stock, equity interest or other direct or indirect ownership interest in any other Person other than securities in a publicly traded company held for investment by Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries and consisting of less than 5% of the outstanding capital stock of such company. Acquiror does not own, directly or indirectly, any voting interest in any Person that requires an additional filing by Acquiror under the HSR Act.

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(d) Corporate Authority.

(i) Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate or, as the case may be, limited liability company action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement, subject only to approval of the issuance of the Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement by the holders of a majority of shares voting at a stockholders meeting duly called and held for such purpose (the "Requisite Acquiror Vote"), and to consummate the Merger. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of Acquiror and Merger Sub and is a valid and binding agreement of Acquiror and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of Acquiror and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

(ii) The board of directors of Acquiror has (A) approved this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated hereby and resolved to recommend that the holders of the Acquiror Common Stock vote in favor of the issuance of the Acquiror Common Stock required to be issued pursuant to Article IV (the "Acquiror Recommendation") and (B) directed that such matter be submitted to the holders of the Acquiror Common Stock for their approval.

(iii) Prior to the Effective Time, Acquiror will have taken all necessary action to permit it to issue the number of shares of the Acquiror Common Stock required to be issued pursuant to Article IV. The Acquiror Common Stock, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and no stockholder of Acquiror will have any preemptive right of subscription or purchase in respect thereof. The Acquiror Common Stock, when issued, will be registered under the Securities Act and Exchange Act and registered or exempt from registration under any applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws.

(e) Governmental Filings; No Violations. (i) Other than the filings and/or notices (A) pursuant to Section 1.3, (B) under the HSR Act, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (C) required to be made with NASDAQ, (D) state securities, takeover, and "blue sky" laws and (E) required by HUD and applicable state mortgage banking Governmental Entities with regulatory authority over mortgage banking or settlement services, no notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by Acquiror or Merger Sub with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations required to be obtained by Acquiror or Merger Sub from, any Governmental Entity, in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror and Merger Sub and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, except those that the failure to make or obtain are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have an Acquiror Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Acquiror and Merger Sub do not, and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will not, constitute or result in (A) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Acquiror and Merger Sub or the comparable governing instruments of any of its Subsidiaries, (B) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a breach or violation of, a termination (or right of termination) or a default under, the creation or acceleration of any obligations or the creation of a Lien on any of the assets of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any Contracts binding upon Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries, assuming (solely with respect to performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby) compliance with the matters referred to in Section 5.2(e)(i), or any Laws to which Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries is subject or (C) any change in the rights or obligations of any party under any Contract binding on Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries, except, in the case of clause (B) or (C) above, for any such breach, violation, termination, default, creation acceleration or change that, individually or in the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have an Acquiror Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Acquiror Reports; Financial Statements.

(i) Acquiror has filed or furnished, as applicable, on a timely basis all forms, stateme