As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2012

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


 

Amendment No. 4 to

FORM 10

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 


 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland

 

46-0633510

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification number)

 

c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation

402 Strand St.

Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands 00840-3531

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(340) 692-1055

 


 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which each class is to be 
registered

Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   None

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-

accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”

“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company x

 

 

 



 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

 

Cross-Reference Sheet Between the Information Statement and Items of Form 10

 

Our information statement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10.  For your convenience, we have provided below a cross-reference sheet identifying where the items required by Form 10 can be found in our information statement.

 

Item No.

 

Caption

 

Location in Information Statement

 

 

 

 

 

1.

 

Business

 

See “Summary,” “Forward-Looking Statements,” “The Separation,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business”

 

 

 

 

 

1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

See “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements”

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Financial Information

 

See “Summary,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

Properties

 

See “Business—Properties and Facilities”

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 

See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners”

 

 

 

 

 

5.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

See “Management”

 

 

 

 

 

6.

 

Executive Compensation

 

Not applicable

 

 

 

 

 

7.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

See “Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Relationship between Altisource and Us Following the Separation,” “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”

 

 

 

 

 

8.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

See “Business—Legal Proceedings”

 

 

 

 

 

9.

 

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters

 

See “The Separation, “Description of Capital Stock” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners”

 

 

 

 

 

10.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

11.

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

 

See “Description of Capital Stock” and “Certain Provisions of our Charter and Bylaws”

 

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Item No.

 

Caption

 

Location in Information Statement

 

 

 

 

 

12.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

See “Indemnification of Directors”

 

 

 

 

 

13.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

See “Summary” and “Index to Financial Statements” and the financial statements referenced therein

 

 

 

 

 

14.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

15.

 

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

See “Index to Financial Statements” and the financial statements referenced therein

 

(a)                                  List of Financial Statements and Schedules.

 

The following financial statements are included in the information statement and filed as part of this Registration Statement on Form 10:

 

(1)                                  Financial Statements of Altisource Residential, L.P., including Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm.

 

(b)                                  Exhibits.  The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto.

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

 

2.1*

 

Form of Separation Agreement between Altisource Residential Corporation and Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.

 

 

 

3.1**

 

Altisource Residential Corporation Articles of Amendment and Restatement.

 

 

 

3.2**

 

Bylaws of Altisource Residential Corporation.

 

 

 

8.1**

 

Tax Opinion of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.

 

 

 

10.1*

 

Form of Support Services Agreement between Altisource Residential Corporation and Altisource Solutions S.à r.l.

 

 

 

10.2*

 

Form of Tax Matters Agreement between Altisource Residential Corporation and Altisource Solutions S.à r.l.

 

 

 

10.3*

 

Form of Asset Management Agreement between Altisource Residential Corporation and Altisource Asset Management Corporation

 

 

 

10.4**^

 

Form of Master Services Agreement between Altisource Residential Corporation and Altisource Solutions S.à r.l.

 

 

 

10.5**^

 

Form of Servicing Agreement between Altisource Residential Corporation and Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC.

 

 

 

10.6*

 

Form of Trademark License Agreement between Altisource Residential Corporation and Altisource Solutions S.à r.l.

 

 

 

10.7*

 

Form of Shareholders’ Agreement among Altisource Residential Corporation, Altisource Asset

 

iii



 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

 

 

 

Management Corporation and NewSource Reinsurance Company Ltd.

 

 

 

10.8*

 

Form of Title Insurance Services Agreement between NewSource Reinsurance Company Ltd. and Altisource Solutions S.à r.l.

 

 

 

10.9 **

 

Altisource Residential Corporation Conversion Option Plan.

 

 

 

10.10**

 

Altisource Residential Corporation Special Conversion Option Plan.

 

 

 

99.1**

 

Preliminary Information Statement of Altisource Residential Corporation, subject to completion, dated [ ], 2012.

 

 

 


 

 

*                  Previously filed.

**           Filed herewith.

^                   Portions of this exhibit have been redacted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment. The non-public information has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

iv



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement on Form 10 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Altisource Residential Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ William C. Erbey

 

Name: William C. Erbey

 

Title: Chairman

 

 

Dated: December 5, 2012

 

 

v


EXHIBIT 3.1

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

 

FIRST: Altisource Residential Corporation, a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Maryland, desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

 

SECOND: The following provisions are all of the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is:

 

Altisource Residential Corporation

 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

 

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”), “REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

 

ARTICLE III

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE

 

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, MD 21202.

 

ARTICLE IV

RESIDENT AGENT

 

The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, MD 21202.

 



 

ARTICLE V

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1 Number of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation is three, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”), but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”). The names of the directors who shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

 

William C. Erbey

Stephen H. Gray

John P. Barrack

 

The Board of Directors may increase the number of directors and may fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors occurring before the first annual meeting of stockholders in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock (as hereinafter defined), any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

 

Section 5.2 Extraordinary Actions . Except as specifically provided in Section 5.8 (relating to removal of directors) and in the last sentence of Article VIII, notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the stockholders entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

Section 5.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance . The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.

 

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Section 5.4 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights . Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

 

Section 5.5 Right to Indemnification .  Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement as a witness) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, manager, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or other employee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or employee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by Maryland law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, manager, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, legal representatives, executors and administrators.  The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 5.5 shall be a contract right and shall include the obligation of the Corporation to pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “advance of expenses”); provided, however, that in any case an advance of expenses incurred by an indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 5.5 or otherwise.  The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to agents of the Corporation with the same or lesser scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors, officers and employees.  Any director, officer or employee of the Corporation serving (i) another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which a majority of the equity interests entitled to vote in the election of its directors or the equivalent thereof is controlled by the Corporation, or (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any entity referred to in clause (i), in any capacity shall be deemed to be doing so at the request of the Corporation.

 

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Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of this Charter or the Bylaws inconsistent with this Section, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

Section 5.6 Determinations by Board . The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of stock of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any class of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.7 REIT Qualification . If the Corporation elects to qualify for U.S. federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the qualification of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to revoke or otherwise terminate its REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII is no longer required for REIT qualification.

 

Section 5.8 Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

 

Section 5.9 Advisor Agreements . Subject to such conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Board of Directors may authorize the execution and performance by the Corporation of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization whereby,

 

4



 

subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization shall render or make available to the Corporation managerial, investment, advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board of Directors, the management or supervision of the investments of the Corporation) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board of Directors, the compensation payable thereunder by the Corporation).

 

ARTICLE VI

STOCK

 

Section 6.1 Authorized Shares . The Corporation has authority to issue 300,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of (i) 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of which 100,000,000 are classified as shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”) and 100,000,000 are classified as shares of Class B Common Stock (the “Class B Common Stock”) and (ii) 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock is $3,000,000. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock pursuant to Section 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4 of this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

 

Section 6.2 Common Stock . Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of Common Stock, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a single class.  The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock.

 

(a)           Class A Common Stock . The holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to the following rights during the period beginning on the Initial Date (as such term is defined in Section 7.1) of the initial public offering of the shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Offering”), and ending on the third anniversary of the Initial Date (the “Priority Period”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Priority Period shall not end until the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock have received any accrued, but unpaid, Class A Distributions (as defined below).

 

(i)            The Dividend Priority .  The holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior to any distribution to the holders

 

5



 

of the shares of Class B Common Stock, cumulative dividends in an amount per share of Class A Common Stock equal to $0.644 per year, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Section 6.2(a)(i) (the “Class A Distribution”).  After the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock have received an amount per share of Class A Common Stock equal to the Class A Distribution, the holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior to any further distributions to the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock, cumulative dividends in an amount per share of Class B Common Stock equal to $0.644 per year, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Section 6.2(a)(i) (the “Class B Distribution”).  After the holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock have received an amount per share of Class B Common Stock equal to the Class B Distribution, the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive any further distributions on a pro rata basis with the holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) if the Corporation at any time subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction) its Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Class A Distribution or Class B Distribution, as applicable, shall be proportionately decreased, and (B) if the Corporation at any time combines (by reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction) its Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Class A Distribution or Class B Distribution, as applicable, shall be proportionately increased.

 

No dividend will be declared or paid or other distribution of cash or other property declared or made directly by the Corporation or any person acting on behalf of the Corporation on any shares of beneficial interest that rank junior to the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common stock, as applicable, as to the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up unless full cumulative dividends have been declared and paid or are contemporaneously declared and funds sufficient for payment set aside on the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, for all prior and contemporaneous dividend periods; provided, however, that if accumulated and accrued dividends on the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, for all prior and contemporaneous dividend periods have not been paid in full then any dividend declared on the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, for any dividend period and on any shares of beneficial interest of the Corporation that rank on parity with the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, as to the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution and winding up (the “Parity Stock”) will be declared ratably in proportion to accumulated, accrued and unpaid dividends on the shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, and such Parity Stock.  The dividends paid to the holders of the shares of Common Stock will be subject to the rights of any class or series of Preferred Stock.

 

6



 

No distributions on the shares of Common Stock shall be authorized by the Board of Directors or paid or set apart for payment by the Corporation at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Corporation, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof or a default thereunder, or if such authorization or payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law.  Any distribution payment made on the shares of Common Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid distribution due with respect to such shares which remains payable.

 

(b)           Conversion of the Class B Common Stock .  Upon termination of the Priority Period, the shares of Class B Common Stock automatically will be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment as described in Section 6.2(c).  A notice informing holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock of such conversion will be mailed by the Corporation to the holders of record of the shares of Class B Common Stock as of the dividend payment record date for the next dividend payable after the expiration of the Priority Period, together with the dividend payable on such shares, at their respective addresses as they appear on the share transfer records of the Corporation.  No fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall be converted.

 

If the expiration of the Priority Period falls after a dividend payment record date and prior to the related payment date, the holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock at the close of business on such record date will be entitled to receive the dividend payable on such shares on the corresponding dividend payment date, notwithstanding the conversion of such shares prior to such dividend payment date.  Upon expiration of the Priority Period, each holder of shares of Class B Common Stock (unless the Corporation defaults in the delivery of the shares of Class A Common Stock) will be, without any further action, deemed a holder of the amount of shares of Class A Common Stock, as the case may be, for which such shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible.  Fractional shares of Class A Common Stock will not be issued upon conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

(c)           Conversion Ratio Adjustments .  The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment as hereinafter provided upon certain events, including (i) the payment of dividends (and other distributions) payable in shares of Class A Common Stock on any class of shares of beneficial interest of the Corporation, (ii) subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of shares of Class A Common Stock and (iii) distributions to all holders of shares of Class A Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation or assets (including securities, but excluding those dividends, rights, warrants and distributions referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above and dividends and distributions paid in cash).  In the case of the events referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued upon conversion shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the

 

7



 

number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately after such event, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to such event.  In the case of the events referred to in clause (iii) above, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued upon conversion shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Market Price (as such term is defined in Section 7.1), immediately after such event, of the shares of Class A Common Stock plus the value of the evidences of indebtedness or assets received, and the denominator of which shall be the Market Price of the shares of Class A Common Stock immediately prior to such event.  The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, in making adjustments to the conversion ratio pursuant to this paragraph, no shares of Class A Common Stock issued after the closing with respect to the Offering (other than shares issued in connection with the events referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) above) and no evidences of indebtedness or assets received with respect to such shares shall be included in either numerator or denominator in making such adjustments.  In addition to the foregoing adjustments, the Corporation will be permitted to make such reductions in the conversion ratio as it considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for Federal income tax purposes as a dividend of shares or share rights will not be taxable to the holders of the shares of Class B Common Stock or, if that is not possible, to diminish any income taxes that are otherwise payable because of such event.

 

No adjustment of the conversion ratio is required to be made in any case until cumulative adjustments amount to 1% or more of the conversion ratio.  Any adjustments not so required to be made will be carried forward and taken into account in subsequent adjustments.

 

Section 6.3 Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock.

 

Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document.

 

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Section 6.5 Stockholders’ Consent in Lieu of Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting by unanimous consent, in writing or by electronic transmission, in the manner permitted by the MGCL.

 

Section 6.6 Charter and Bylaws . The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

 

Section 7.1 Definitions . For the purpose of this Charter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8 percent (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter.

 

Beneficial Ownership . The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Business Day . The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

 

Capital Stock . The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

 

Charitable Beneficiary . The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

Common Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean not more than 9.8 percent (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter.

 

Constructive Ownership . The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the

 

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Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Excepted Holder . The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a Person for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

 

Excepted Holder Limit . The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with any requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.8, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

 

Initial Date . The term “Initial Date” shall mean the date of the closing of the Offering.

 

Market Price . The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

NYSE . The term “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Person . The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

 

Prohibited Owner . The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 7.2.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock and, if appropriate in the context, shall also

 

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mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

 

Restriction Termination Date . The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

 

Transfer . The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire or change its Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Trust . The term “Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.3.1.

 

Trustee . The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.

 

Section 7.2 Capital Stock .

 

Section 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 7.4:

 

(a)           Basic Restrictions .

 

(i)            (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

 

(ii)           No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the

 

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ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant could cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

 

(iii)          Any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

 

(b)           Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii),

 

(i)            then that number of shares of the Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or

 

(ii)           if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

 

Section 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors or such committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided , however , that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or such committee thereof.

 

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Section 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT.

 

Section 7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

 

(a)           every owner of five percent or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class and series of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall promptly provide to the Corporation in writing such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit; and

 

(b)           each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall promptly provide to the Corporation in writing such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

 

Section 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 5.7 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT.

 

Section 7.2.6 Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 7.2, Section 7.3, or any definition contained in Section 7.1, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 7.2 or 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 7.2.1) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall

 

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apply first to the shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.

 

Section 7.2.7 Exceptions .

 

(a)           Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and/or the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if the Board of Directors determines, based on such representations and undertakings as it may require, that:

 

(i)            such exemption will not cause the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock of any individual (as defined in Section 542(a)(2) of the Code) to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(ii); and

 

(ii)           such Person does not and will not Constructively own an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT, shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation).

 

(b)           Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

 

(c)           Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

 

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(d)           The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable.

 

Section 7.2.8 Increase or Decrease in Aggregate Stock Ownership and Common Stock Ownership Limits .

 

(a)           Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit; provided, however, that any decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership in Common Stock or Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit until such time as such Person’s percentage of Common Stock or Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Common Stock or Capital Stock in excess of such percentage ownership of Common Stock or Capital Stock will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and, provided further, that any increased or decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

 

(b)           Prior to increasing or decreasing the Common Stock Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit pursuant to Section 7.2.8(a), the Board of Directors may require such opinions of counsel, affidavits, undertakings or agreements, in any case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s qualification as a REIT.

 

Section 7.2.9 Legend . Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock, if certificated, or any written statement of information in lieu of a certificate delivered to a holder of uncertificated shares of Capital Stock shall bear substantially the following legend:

 

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its qualification as a real estate investment trust under the Code. Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of 9.8 percent (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) (or such lesser percentage established by the Board of Directors) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which

 

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case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of 9.8 percent (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) (or such lesser percentage established by the Board of Directors) of the total outstanding shares of Capital Stock, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iv) any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by less than 100 persons (as determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of the Capital Stock. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership as set forth in (i) through (iii) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described in (i) through (iii) above may be void ab initio . All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Capital Stock on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.

 

Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate or written statement of information delivered in lieu of a certificate, if any, may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

 

Section 7.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust .

 

Section 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the

 

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Trustee shall be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.3.6.

 

Section 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

 

Section 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights . The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or other distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

 

Section 7.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price, the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce

 

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the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

 

Section 7.3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such Transfer to the Trust (or, if the event that resulted in the Transfer to the Trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at Market Price, the Market Price of such shares on the day of the event that resulted in the Transfer of such shares to the Trust) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Trustee by the amount of dividends and other distributions which has been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII and may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

 

Section 7.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before its automatic transfer provided for in Section 7.2.1(b) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.

 

Section 7.4 NYSE Transactions . Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.

 

Section 7.5 Enforcement . The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.

 

Section 7.6 Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the

 

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Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

 

Section 7.7 Severability . If any provision of this Article VII or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

 

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

 

The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except as set forth below and except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Any amendment to Section 5.8, to Article VII or to this sentence of the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article IX, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

THIRD: The amendment and restatement of the Charter as hereinabove set forth has been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the sole stockholder of the Corporation as required by law.  The Board of Directors authorized Stephen H. Gray to act as witness to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.

 

FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation in Maryland is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.

 

FIFTH: The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent in Maryland is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.

 

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SIXTH: The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article V of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.

 

SEVENTH:  The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue was 200,000,000, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share.  The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock was $2,000,000.

 

The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter is 300,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of (i) 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 100,000,000 are classified as shares of Class A Common Stock and 100,000,000 are classified as shares of Class B Common Stock and (ii) 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock is $3,000,000.

 

EIGHTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to the Charter to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf on this 29th day of November, 2012.

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ William C. Erbey

 

Name:

William C. Erbey

 

Title:

Chairman of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Stephen H. Gray

 

Stephen H. Gray

 

 


EXHIBIT 3.2

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

 

BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE . The principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate.

 

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES . The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1. PLACE . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING . An annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors. The Corporation shall hold its first annual meeting of stockholders beginning with the year 2013.

 

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS .

 

(a)  General . The chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the stockholders. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

 

(b)  Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings .

 

(1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on

 



 

at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which the Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

 

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

 

(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

 

(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder-Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such

 

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place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided , however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m. local time on the 90 th  day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90 th  day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may consider such factors as he, she or it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30 th  day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

 

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

 

(6) The chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review,

 

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no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been delivered to the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

 

(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

Section 4. NOTICE . Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless a stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

 

Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

 

Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT . Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting

 

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or, in the absence of such appointment, by the chairman of the board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the secretary, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary, or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of the stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Section 6. QUORUM . At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) for the vote necessary for the adoption of any measure. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

 

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Section 7. VOTING . A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.

 

Section 8. PROXIES . A stockholder may cast the votes entitled to be cast by the holder of the shares of stock owned of record by the stockholder in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

 

Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS . Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, general partner, trustee, manager or managing member thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in the capacity of such director or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

 

Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

 

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

 

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Section 10. INSPECTORS . The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. The inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

 

Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS .

 

(a)  Annual Meetings of Stockholders .

 

(1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

 

(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150 th  day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120 th  day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in connection with the Corporation’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 150 th  day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120 th  day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

 

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder;

 

(ii) as to any business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

 

(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,

 

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,

 

(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person,

 

(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of (x) Company Securities or (y) any security of any entity that was listed in the Peer Group in the Stock Performance Graph in the most recent annual report to security holders of the Corporation (a “Peer Group Company”) for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or

 

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(II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company) disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities (or, as applicable, in any Peer Group Company) and

 

(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

 

(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,

 

(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and

 

(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person; and

 

(v) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

 

(4) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election

 

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contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange or over-the-counter market).

 

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(6) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder means (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

 

(b)  Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraph (a)(3) of this Section 11, shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120 th  day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90 th  day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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(c)  General .

 

(1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

 

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.

 

(3) “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (ii) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.

 

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

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Section 12. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

 

Section 2. NUMBER AND TENURE . At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL, nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

 

Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS . An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

 

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

 

Section 5. NOTICE . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice

 

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in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

 

Section 6. QUORUM . A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

 

The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

 

Section 7. VOTING . The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.

 

Section 8. ORGANIZATION . At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or, in the absence of any chief executive officer, the president or, in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

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Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 11. VACANCIES . If for any reason any or all of the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Until such time as the Corporation becomes subject to Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, any vacancy on the Board of Directors for any cause other than an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, even if such majority is less than a quorum; any vacancy in the number of directors created by an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors; and any individual so elected as director shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies. At such time as the Corporation becomes subject to Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL and except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

 

Section 12. COMPENSATION . Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

Section 13. RELIANCE . Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

 

Section 14. RATIFICATION . The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution,

 

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adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

 

Section 15. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS . A director who is not also an officer of the Corporation shall have no responsibility to devote his or her full time to the affairs of the Corporation. Any director or officer, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation.

 

No contract or other transaction between this Corporation and any other corporation shall be impaired, affected or invalidated, nor shall any director be liable in any way by reason of the fact that any one or more of the directors of this Corporation is or are interested in, or is a director or officer, or are directors or officers of such other corporation, provided that such facts are disclosed or made known to the Board of Directors.

 

Any director, personally or individually, may be a party to or may be interested in any contract or transaction of this Corporation, and no director shall be liable in any way by reason of such interest, provided that the fact of such interest be disclosed or made known to the Board of Directors, and provided that the Board of Directors shall authorize, approve or ratify such contract or transaction by the vote (not counting the vote of any such director) of a majority of a quorum, notwithstanding the presence of any such director at the meeting at which such action is taken.  Such director or directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at such meeting.  This section shall not be construed to impair or invalidate or in any way affect any contract or other transaction which would otherwise be valid under the law (common, statutory or otherwise applicable) thereto.

 

Section 16. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section 16 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

 

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ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

 

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and one or more other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2. POWERS . The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.

 

Section 3. MEETINGS . Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member.

 

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

 

Section 6. VACANCIES . Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

 

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

 

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS . The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president

 

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may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

 

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION . Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

 

Section 3. VACANCIES . A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

 

Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. A chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 6. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

 

Section 7. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD . The Board of Directors shall designate a chairman of the board. The chairman of the board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he or she shall be present. The chairman of the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8. PRESIDENT . In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief executive officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the

 

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chief executive officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS . In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

 

Section 10. SECRETARY . The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

 

Section 11. TREASURER . The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

 

The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS . The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 13. COMPENSATION . The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.

 

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

 

Section 1. CONTRACTS . The Board of Directors or any manager of the Corporation approved by the Board of Directors and acting within the scope of its authority pursuant to a management agreement with the Corporation may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when executed by an authorized person and duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors or a manager acting within the scope of its authority pursuant to a management agreement.

 

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3. DEPOSITS . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.

 

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

 

Section 1. CERTIFICATES . The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue some or all of the shares of any class or series of its stock without certificates. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in the manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates. If shares of a class or series of stock are authorized by the Board of Directors to be issued without certificates, no stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate or certificates representing any shares of such class or series of stock held by such stockholder unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors and then only upon written request by such stockholder to the secretary of the Corporation.

 

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Section 2. TRANSFERS . All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

 

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the Charter and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

 

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE . Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

 

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE . The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

 

When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.

 

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Section 5. STOCK LEDGER . The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

 

Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS . The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.

 

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

 

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

 

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION . Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter.

 

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES . Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

 

ARTICLE X

INVESTMENT POLICY

 

Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE XI

SEAL

 

Section 1. SEAL . The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation

 

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and the words “Incorporated Maryland.” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

 

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL . Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

 

Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement as a witness) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, manager, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or other employee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or employee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by Maryland law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, manager, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, legal representatives, executors and administrators.  The right to indemnification conferred in this Article XII shall be a contract right and shall include the obligation of the Corporation to pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “advance of expenses”); provided, however, that in any case an advance of expenses incurred by an indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article XII or otherwise.  The Corporation may, by action of its Board of Directors, provide indemnification to agents of the Corporation with the same or lesser scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors, officers and employees.  Any director, officer or employee of the Corporation serving (i) another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which a majority of the equity interests entitled to vote in the election of its directors or the equivalent thereof is controlled by the Corporation, or (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any entity referred to in clause (i), in any capacity shall be deemed to be doing so at the request of the Corporation.

 

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Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of these Bylaws or the Charter inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

 

ARTICLE XIII

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

 

The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

 

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EXHIBIT 8.1

DRAFT 11/1/12

 

                               , 2012

 

Altisource Residential Corporation

c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation

402 Strand Street

Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands 00840-3531

 

Re: Real Estate Investment Trust Qualification Opinion

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as tax counsel to Altisource Residential Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with a certain corporate restructuring transaction (the “Separation”) and the issuance of Company common stock as described in the registration statement on Form 10, File No. 001-35657 (the “Registration Statement”) initially filed by the Company on September 20, 2012, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  All capitalized terms used herein have their respective meanings set forth in the Registration Statement unless otherwise stated.

 

For purposes of the opinion set forth below, we have reviewed and relied upon the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto), the Separation Agreement, the Company’s organizing documents, and such other documents, records, and instruments (including the representation letter dated [       ], 2012, containing various representations by the Company) as in our discretion we have deemed necessary, appropriate, or relevant as a basis for our opinion and we have assumed that the Separation will be consummated as described in the Registration Statement and Separation Agreement.  In addition, in rendering our opinion we have relied upon certain other representations and information provided to us and statements of factual matters made by the Company, which we have neither investigated nor verified.  We have assumed that such representations, information and statements are true, correct, complete, and not breached, and that no actions that are inconsistent with such representations, information or statements will be taken.  We have also assumed that all statements made “to the best knowledge of” or “beliefs” of any persons will be true, correct, and complete as if made without such qualification.  Any inaccuracy in, or breach of, any of the aforementioned representations, information, statements and assumptions, or any change after the date hereof in applicable law, could adversely affect our opinion.  No ruling has been (or will be) sought from the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”) by the Company in connection with the Company’s Separation.  The opinion expressed herein is not binding on the Service or any other taxing authority, and there can be no assurance that the Service, any other taxing authority, or a court of competent jurisdiction will not disagree with such opinion.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing as well as the limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion as of the date hereof, that under presently applicable United States federal income tax law, the Company has been organized and has operated in conformity with the

 



 

requirements for qualification and taxation as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) and its proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code.

 

No opinion is expressed as to any matter not specifically addressed above.  Our opinion is limited to the tax matters specifically stated herein, and we have not been asked to address, nor have we addressed, any other tax matters, and no other opinion should be inferred herefrom.  Our opinion is based on current United States federal income tax law and administrative guidance, any of which may be changed or subject to different interpretation at any time, possibly with retroactive effect.  We undertake no obligation to advise you as to any such changes that may affect our opinion unless we are specifically asked to do so.  We also express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal income tax laws of the United States.

 

This opinion letter is being furnished solely to the Company in connection with the Separation described herein, and is not to be relied upon or utilized by any other person or entity other than the Company, and may not be made available to any other person without our prior written consent.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

 

IRS Circular 230 disclosure :

 

This opinion is limited to the one or more Federal tax issues addressed in the opinion.  Additional issues may exist that could affect the Federal tax treatment of the transaction or matter that is the subject of the opinion and the opinion does not consider or provide a conclusion with respect to any additional issues.  With respect to any significant Federal tax issues outside the limited scope of the opinion, the opinion was not written, and cannot be used by the taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.

 


EXHIBIT 10.4

 

 

MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

This Master Services Agreement is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION , a Maryland corporation (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of [    ], 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are contained in Exhibit 1 to this Agreement, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

2.                                           SERVICES .

 

2.1.                             PROVISION OF SERVICES .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential and any of Residential’s Affiliates, the Services set forth on Exhibit 2 , attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, for the respective Service Period shown on Exhibit 2 , unless a Service Period is earlier terminated in accordance with Section  6 of this Agreement.  In each case, the Services set forth on Exhibit 2 are further described in the Services Letter.

 

2.2.                             STATEMENTS OF WORK .  In addition to the Services set forth on Exhibit 2 , from time to time during the term of this Agreement the Parties shall have the right to enter into SOWs to set forth the terms of any Additional Services to be performed hereunder.  All SOWs shall be governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  In addition, all SOWs shall be agreed to by each Party, shall be in writing and may contain, to the extent applicable:

 

(a)                                  The identity of each Party providing or responsible for providing each Service thereunder;

(b)                                  A description of each Service to be performed thereunder;

(c)                                   The applicable Performance Standard for the provision of each Service thereunder;

(d)                                  A description of the penalties of nonperformance and the incentives for performance in accordance with the applicable Performance Standard;

(e)                                   A description of Residential’s criteria for evaluating the acceptance of deliverables;

(f)                                    The amount, schedule and method of compensation for each Service thereunder;

(g)                                   A description of the renewal option for that SOW;

(h)                                  Any support requirements of Residential with respect to each Service thereunder;

(i)                                      Training and support commitments with respect to each Service thereunder; and

(j)                                     Any other terms the Parties desire.

 

2.3.                             WHEN SERVICES ARE TO BE PROVIDED .  The Services shall be provided on Business Days during hours that constitute regular business hours for each of Residential and Altisource, unless otherwise agreed or as provided on Exhibit 2 , in the Services Letter or an applicable SOW.

 

2.4.                             RIGHT TO RECEIVE SERVICES IS NON-TRANSFERABLE .  Residential shall not resell, subcontract, license, sublicense or otherwise transfer any of the Services to any Person whatsoever or permit use of any of the Services by any Person other than by Residential and Residential’s Affiliates.  Whenever Residential requires that Altisource provide a Service directly to a Residential Affiliate, Residential shall notify Altisource in writing by identifying the applicable Service and providing the name, contact and billing information of the corresponding Residential Affiliate.  In those instances where Residential requires that Altisource provide Services directly to a Residential Affiliate, all references to Residential in this Agreement, the Service Letter, the Fee Letter and the applicable SOW and Fee Schedule shall be deemed to refer to Residential and/or the applicable Residential Affiliate, as the context may require.

 

Confidential

 

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2.5.                             STAFFING .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  2 (but subject to the second succeeding sentence), Altisource shall have the exclusive right to select, employ, pay, supervise, administer, direct and discharge any of its employees who will perform Services.  Altisource shall be responsible for paying such employees’ compensation and providing to such employees any benefits. With respect to each Service, Altisource shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have qualified individuals participate in the provision of such Service; provided , however, that:

 

(a)                                  Altisource shall not be obligated to have any individual participate in the provision of any Service if Altisource determines that such participation would adversely affect Altisource or Altisource’s Affiliates; and

 

(b)                                  None of Altisource or Altisource’s Affiliates shall be required to continue to employ any particular individual during the applicable Service Period.

 

2.6.                             ALTISOURCE’S USE OF AFFILIATES TO PROVIDE SERVICES .  Altisource may provide Services through Altisource’s Affiliates, whether by unilateral assignment, designation or subcontract.  To the extent one or more of the Services are required to be performed by a licensed Affiliate, Altisource, in its sole discretion, has the right to: (i) designate the licensed Affiliate or other licensed third party, at Altisource’s sole discretion to provide any Services under this Agreement, the Services Letter and/or any applicable SOW; and/or (ii) assign, in whole or in part, this Agreement, the Services Letter and/or any applicable SOW to such Affiliate without consent.

 

2.7.                             ALTISOURCE’S USE OF THIRD PARTIES TO PROVIDE SERVICES .  In addition, Altisource and/or Altisource’s Affiliates may engage third-party contractors to perform any of the Services or to provide professional services related to any of the Services.

 

3.                                       STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE .

 

Altisource shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential each Service in accord with any Performance Standard as may be identified in the applicable SOW.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Altisource shall not have any obligation hereunder to provide to Residential any improvements, upgrades, updates, substitutions, modifications or enhancements to any of the Services unless otherwise specified in the Services Letter or applicable SOW.  Residential acknowledges and agrees that Altisource may be providing services similar to the Services provided hereunder that involve the same resources as those used to provide the Services to its and its Affiliates’ business units and other third parties.

 

4.                                      FEES AND BILLING .

 

4.1.                             FEES, FEE LETTER .  As compensation for a particular Service, Residential agrees to pay to Altisource the respective amount set forth in (i) the Fee Letter and/or the applicable Fee Schedule for that Service; or (ii) an SOW and/or Fee Schedule with respect to any Additional Service performed pursuant to such SOW.

 

4.2.                             ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT .  The fees for the Services shall be adjusted each year as negotiated between the Parties in good faith based on prevailing market conditions and inflation.

 

4.3.                             FEE EXEMPTION .  Residential shall not be obligated to pay fees for (i) new Services, other than Additional Services or Services requested pursuant to an SOW, which Altisource performs without the authorization of Residential, or (ii) Services not provided due to a Force Majeure Event.

 

4.4.                             BILLING AND PAYMENT .  Altisource shall submit statements of account to Residential on a monthly basis with respect to the Invoiced Amount, setting out the Services provided, and the amount billed to Residential as a result of providing such Services (together with, in arrears, any Commingled Invoice Statement (as defined below) and any other invoices for Services provided by third parties, in each case setting out the Services provided by the applicable third parties).

 

4.4.1.                   PAYMENT BY WIRE TRANSFER .  Residential shall pay the Invoiced Amount to Altisource by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts specified by Altisource, or in such other manner as specified by Altisource in writing, or otherwise reasonably agreed to by the Parties, within thirty (30) days of the date of delivery to Residential of the applicable statement of account; provided, that, in the event of any dispute as to an Invoiced Amount, Residential shall pay the undisputed portion, if any, of such Invoiced Amount in accordance with the foregoing, and shall pay the remaining amount, if any, promptly upon resolution of such dispute.

 

4.4.2.                   PAYMENT FROM RESERVE ACCOUNT .  For certain Services, Altisource will require that Residential prefund a dedicated Reserve Fund for the payment of certain expenses in connection with each of those Services, as

 

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more particularly described in the SOW and/or the Fee Schedule for each of those respective Services.  Each Reserve Fund will be owned by Residential, but managed by Altisource on behalf of Residential.  If a Reserve Fund has been established pursuant to an SOW and/or Fee Schedule, then Altisource may draw its expenses and pay third party invoices (including Commingled Invoice Statements as defined in Section 4.5) on behalf of Residential directly from the Reserve Fund in accordance with the terms of the applicable SOW and/or Fee Schedule.

 

4.5.                             THIRD PARTY BILLING, COMMINGLED INVOICES .  Altisource may cause any third party to which amounts are owed by Residential in connection with Services to issue a separate invoice to Residential for such amounts.  Residential shall pay or cause to be paid any such separate third party invoice in accordance with the payment terms thereof.  Altisource shall separate Commingled Invoices and prepare Commingled Invoice Statements, for all Commingled Invoices Altisource receives.  Altisource shall deliver such Commingled Invoice Statement and a copy of the Commingled Invoice to Residential.  Residential shall, within thirty (30) days after the date of delivery to Residential of such Commingled Invoice Statement, pay or cause to be paid the amount set forth on such Commingled Invoice Statement to the third party, and shall deliver evidence of such payment to Altisource.  Altisource shall not be required to use its own funds for payments to any third party providing any of the Services or to satisfy any payment obligation of Residential and any of Residential’s Affiliates to any third party provider; provided , however, that in the event Altisource does use its own funds for any such payments to any third party, Residential shall reimburse Altisource for such payments as invoiced by Altisource within thirty (30) days following the date of delivery of such invoice from Altisource.

 

4.6.                             INTEREST ON COMMINGLED INVOICES .  Residential acknowledges and agrees that it shall be responsible for any interest or other amounts with respect to any portion of any Commingled Invoice that Residential is required to pay or Altisource pays on Residential’s behalf pursuant to any Commingled Invoice Statement.

 

4.7.                             BOOKS AND RECORDS, AUDIT RIGHTS .  Altisource shall maintain books and records adequate for the provision of the Services.  At its own expense, Residential may request an audit of the books and records of Altisource to determine performance in accordance with Section 4.4 .  If such audit reveals an underpayment of fees, Residential shall promptly pay the underpayment amount in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  If such audit reveals an overpayment of fees, Altisource shall promptly refund the overpayment amount in accordance with Section 4.4 .

 

4.8.                             SUSPENSION OF SERVICE .  Altisource may, in its discretion and without any liability, suspend any performance under this Agreement upon failure of Residential to make timely any payments required under this Agreement beyond the applicable cure date specified in Section 6.3.1 of this Agreement.

 

4.9.                             INTEREST, COSTS OF COLLECTION .  In the event that Residential does not make any payment to Altisource when due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Services Letter or the Fee Letter, as applicable, Altisource may, at its option, charge Residential interest on the unpaid amount at the rate of 2% per annum above the prime rate charged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or its successor).  In addition, Residential shall reimburse Altisource for all costs of collection of overdue amounts, including any reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

4.10.                      FAVORABLE PRICING .  The Parties intend that the fees Altisource charges Residential, as set forth in this Section  4 generally reflect competitively to the industry market rate for comparable services.  Furthermore, the Parties intend that Altisource will provide Residential with preferential pricing with regard to the overall delivery of Services (although not necessarily for each instance when Altisource provides a Service), so that Residential can establish a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

 

5.                                       TERM .

 

5.1.                             INITIAL TERM .  The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue in full force and effect, subject to Section 5.2 , until the date that is fifteen (15) years from the Effective Date (the “ Initial Term ”), or the earlier date upon which this Agreement has been otherwise terminated in accordance with Section  6 of this Agreement.

 

5.2.                             RENEWAL TERM .  This Agreement will automatically renew for successive two (2) year terms (each, a “ Renewal Term ”) unless either Party decides that it does not wish to renew this Agreement or any particular Service or SOW hereunder before the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as applicable, by notifying the other Party in writing at least nine (9) months before the completion of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

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6.                                       TERMINATION .

 

6.1.                             DISPUTE RESOLUTION PRIOR TO TERMINATION .  The Parties acknowledge and agree that, prior to initiating any termination of this Agreement or any Service or SOW, the Parties must first follow and comply with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 19.1 of this Agreement.

 

6.2.                            TERMINATION BY RESIDENTIAL .

 

6.2.1.                 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT .

 

6.2.1.1            Material Breach .  Residential may terminate this Agreement in the event of a material breach by Altisource of any covenant or representation and warranty contained herein or otherwise directly relating to or affecting the Services to be provided hereunder that cannot be or has not been cured by the 60 th  day following Altisource’s receipt of written notice of such breach given by Residential, which notice shall be given no later than sixty (60) days following the later of the occurrence of such breach or the date upon which Residential should have known of such breach.

 

6.2.1.2            Altisource’s Insolvency .  Residential may terminate this Agreement if Altisource: (i) becomes insolvent; (ii) files a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency, is adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent or files any petition or answer seeking reorganization, readjustment or arrangement of its business under any law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or if a receiver, trustee or liquidator is appointed for any of the property of Altisource and, within sixty (60) days thereof, such Party fails to secure a dismissal thereof; or (iii) makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors, which bankruptcy, insolvency or assignment cannot be or has not been cured by the 60 th  day following Altisource’s receipt of written notice of such failure given by Residential, which such notice shall be given no later than forty five (45) days following the later of the occurrence of such event or the date upon which Residential should have known of such event.

 

6.2.2.                 TERMINATION OF SERVICES OR SOWS .

 

6.2.2.1            Legal Prohibition .  Residential may terminate a particular Service or SOW if Residential is prohibited by law from receiving such Services from Altisource.

 

6.2.2.2            Legal Violation .  Residential may terminate a particular Service or SOW if Altisource materially violates an applicable law or regulation to which Altisource is subject to governing the performance of a Service, which violation cannot be or has not been cured by the 60 th  day following Altisource’s receipt of written notice of such violation given by Residential, which such notice shall be given no later than forty five (45) days following the later of the occurrence of such violation or the date upon which Residential should have known of such violation.

 

6.2.2.3           Government Citation .  Residential may terminate a particular Service or SOW if Altisource is cited by a Governmental Authority for materially violating an applicable law or regulation to which Altisource is subject to governing the performance of a Service, which violation cannot be or has not been cured by the 60 th  day following Altisource’s receipt of written notice of such violation given by Residential which such notice shall be given no later than forty five (45) days following the later of the occurrence of such citation or the date upon which Residential should have known of such citation.

 

6.2.2.4            Performance Standards Residential may terminate a particular Service or SOW if Altisource materially fails to meet any Performance Standard for a period of two consecutive months or four nonconsecutive months in any rolling twelve (12) month period, which failure cannot be or has not been cured by the 60 th  day following Altisource’s receipt of written notice of such failure given by Residential, which such notice shall be given no later than forty-five (45) days following the later of the occurrence of such failure or the date upon which Residential should have known of such failure.

 

6.2.2.5            Discontinuance of Business .  Residential may terminate a particular Service or SOW, in whole or in part, not less than 120 days following Altisource’s receipt of written notice of such termination in the event Residential discontinues the line of business receiving such Services.  In the event Residential terminates such Service or SOW in accordance with this Section 6.2.2.5 unless otherwise set forth herein or in the applicable SOW, or in the event Altisource terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.3.1.10, Residential shall be responsible for payment of the following costs and expenses:

 

(a)                                  Costs and expenses relating to the re-employment or termination of an employee or employees of Altisource or any of Altisource’s Affiliates who had been previously engaged in providing the Services governed by the terminated Service or SOW;

 

(b)                                  Costs and expenses relating to existing contracts with third parties that had been entered into by Altisource solely for the provision of Services under such terminated Service or SOW; and

 

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(c)                                   Costs and expenses relating to facilities, hardware and equipment (including depreciation) used solely for the purpose of providing such Services or SOW.

 

6.2.3.                 ALTISOURCE’S RIGHT TO CURE .  For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to all termination rights granted Residential in this Section 6.2 except for those in Section 6.2.2.1 , if Altisource has cured the underlying event or circumstance giving rise to written notice of the same, within the time period specified above, Residential may not terminate this Agreement or the applicable Service or SOW.  Furthermore, if Altisource is unable to effect a cure of the event or circumstance occurring under Section 6.2 within the time period specified, despite a good faith effort to effect such cure, Residential shall allow Altisource such additional time as reasonably required to effect such cure without termination of this Agreement or the applicable Service or SOW, but in no event shall such additional time exceed ninety (90) days unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.

 

6.3.                           TERMINATION BY ALTISOURCE .

 

6.3.1.                 ALTISOURCE’S CAUSES FOR TERMINATION .

 

6.3.1.1            Non-Payment .  Altisource may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW if Residential fails to make any payment for any portion of Services, which payment remains unmade by the 60 th  day following Altisource’s giving of written notice of such failure to Residential.

 

6.3.1.2            Legal Prohibition .  Altisource may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW if Altisource is prohibited by law from providing such Services to Residential upon Altisource giving written notice of such prohibition to Residential.

 

6.3.1.3            Change in Law .  Altisource may terminate the Agreement or the particular Service or SOW if there is a change in law that affects such Service upon Altisource giving written notice of such change to Residential.

 

6.3.1.4            Legal Violation .  Altisource may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW if Residential materially violates an applicable law or regulation to which Residential is subject to governing the receipt, acceptance or use of a Service, which violation cannot be or has not been cured by the 60 th  day following Residential’s receipt of written notice of such violation given by Altisource.

 

6.3.1.5            Government Prohibition .   Altisource may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW if Residential or Altisource receives an order from a Governmental Authority prohibiting the performance of the Services.

 

6.3.1.6            Government Citation .  Altisource may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW if Altisource is notified by a Governmental Authority, due to the actions of Residential, for materially violating any law governing the performance of a Service, which violation cannot be or has not been cured by Residential by the 60 th  day following Residential’s receipt of written notice of such violation given by Altisource.

 

6.3.1.7            Residential’s Insolvency .  Altisource may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW if Residential: (i) becomes insolvent; (ii) files a petition in bankruptcy or insolvency, is adjudicated bankrupt or answer seeking reorganization insolvent or files any petition or readjustment or arrangement of its business under any law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or if a receiver, trustee or liquidator is appointed for any of the property of Residential and within sixty (60) days thereof Residential fails to secure a dismissal thereof; or (iii) makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors.

 

6.3.1.8            Intellectual Property Infringement .  Altisource may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW in the event of any material infringement of Altisource’s intellectual property, by Residential or caused by Residential, including intellectual property developed hereunder pursuant to Section  9 below.

 

6.3.1.9            Material Breach Altisource may terminate this Agreement or the particular Service or SOW in the event of a material breach of any covenant or representation and warranty contained herein or otherwise directly relating to or affecting the Services to be provided hereunder to Residential that cannot be or has not been cured by the 60 th  day from Altisource’s giving of written notice of such breach to Residential.

 

6.3.1.10     Termination of Asset Management Agreement .   In the event Residential terminates that certain Asset Management Agreement by and between Residential and Altisource Asset Management Corporation, dated  as of [    ], 2012 for any reason other than “for cause,” as defined therein, Altisource, in its sole discretion, may:

 

(a)                                  Terminate this Agreement and/or any or all SOWs, in which case: (i) Residential shall be responsible for payment of the costs and expenses listed in Section 6.2.2.5 ; and (ii) Altisource, in

 

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its sole discretion, may reduce its obligation to provide post-termination services pursuant to Section 6.5 from 270 days to either 180 days or 90 days; or

 

(b)                                  Continue under this Agreement in full force and effect, except that Altisource, in its sole discretion, may unilaterally nullify Section 4.10 so that Section 4.10 would no longer have any force or effect.

 

6.3.2.                   RESIDENTIAL’S RIGHT TO CURE .  For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to Section 6.3.1.9 only, if Residential has cured the underlying event or circumstance giving rise to written notice of the same, within the time period specified above, Altisource may not terminate this Agreement or the applicable Service or SOW; provided , however, that Altisource may, if it so states in the written notice required to be provided to Residential pursuant to the above, suspend the Service performed hereunder or under the applicable SOW until Residential has cured such violation or breach, as the case may be.

 

6.4.                             WIND-DOWN PERIOD . During the period that is six (6) months prior to the date of termination of this Agreement, Altisource shall have no obligation to: (i) expand the scope of its Services under this Agreement or any SOW; (ii) perform any new or additional Services under this Agreement or any SOW; or (iii) invest in hardware, software or equipment for performance against a Service or SOW.

 

6.5.                             POST-TERMINATION SERVICES .  Subject to Altisource’s rights under Section 6.3.1.10, upon termination of this Agreement and, any SOW or any Services, for any reason whatsoever, Residential may elect to purchase post-termination services from Altisource for a period of 270 days from the date on which this Agreement terminates on the current terms hereunder or in place under the applicable SOW(s).

 

6.6.                             EFFECTS OF TERMINATION .

 

6.6.1.                 SERVICES, FEES .  Upon the early termination of any Service or SOW pursuant to this Section  6 or upon the expiration of the applicable Service Period, Altisource shall no longer be obligated to provide such Service (except as provided in Section 6.5 ); provided that Residential shall be obligated to reimburse Altisource for any reasonable out-of pocket expenses or costs attributable to such termination unless otherwise provided herein or in the applicable SOW(s).

 

6.6.2.                 NO ESTOPPEL .  No termination, cancelation or expiration of this Agreement shall prejudice the right of either Party hereto to recover any payment due at the time of termination, cancellation or expiration (or any payment accruing as a result thereof), nor shall it prejudice any cause of action or claim of either Party hereto accrued or to accrue by reason of any breach or default by the other Party hereto.

 

6.6.3.                 TERMINATION OF LICENSE .  The intellectual property licenses granted pursuant to Section  9 of this Agreement shall terminate upon any termination of this Agreement with immediate effect.

 

6.6.4.                 SURVIVAL . Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, Sections 4 , 9 , 11, 12, 14, 15, 18 and 19 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

7.                                       CHANGE ORDER PROCEDURES; TEMPORARY EMERGENCY CHANGES .

 

7.1.                             PROCEDURE FOR PERMANENT CHANGE ORDERS .  The Parties hereto may change the nature and scope of Services provided hereunder or under any SOW by mutual agreement. The Party seeking the change shall submit a request containing: (i) the identity of the Party requesting such change; (ii) the reason(s) for the change; (iii) a description of the requested change; and (iv) a timetable for the implementation of the change.  The non-requesting Party shall have thirty (30) Business Days to consider the suggested change and either approve or decline such change. For the avoidance of doubt, no change to any Service or SOW will become part of the Performance Standard for such Service or SOW without Altisource’s prior approval.

 

7.2.                             PROCEDURE FOR TEMPORARY CHANGE ORDERS .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Altisource is unable to contact Residential’s designated contact for a specific Service or SOW after reasonable effort, Altisource may make temporary changes to any SOW or Services, which Altisource shall document and report to Residential the next Business Day. Such changes shall become permanent only if Altisource subsequently follows the procedures in Section 7.1 hereof for permanent change order procedures. Residential shall not be obligated to pay for any changed Services performed with out it sprior approval.

 

7.3.                             PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE REQUESTS .  Residential may, in an emergency, request additional Services to be performed as promptly as practicable, and Altisource shall use its reasonable best efforts to perform such Services as promptly as practicable.  While Altisource will continue to provide services in line with the request from Residential, in the event that Altisource plans to incur materially additional costs

 

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in providing this service, Altisource may submit a financial proposal to make Altisource financially whole. In such a case, Residential and Altisource may agree for the one-time increase in payment for the emergency. Such emergency request shall last no longer than thirty (30) Business Days, and Altisource shall have no obligation to continue performing such Services unless Residential follows the procedures in Section 7.1 hereof for permanent change order procedures.

 

7.4.                             SUPPLEMENTAL PROCEDURES .  The Parties hereto agree to cooperate in good faith to determine and implement additional procedures for change orders as needed.

 

8.                                       EXCLUSIVITY .

 

8.1.                             EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER .  During the term of this Agreement, Altisource will be the exclusive provider of all Services to Residential and all of Residential’s Affiliates.

 

8.1.1.                 RIGHT OF FIRST OPPORTUNITY .  If Residential elects to receive any Additional Service, Residential shall first request a proposal for the provision of such Additional Service from Altisource. Altisource shall have the duration of the Exclusive Tender Period to respond to such request for Additional Service and to provide a proposed SOW to Residential. During the Exclusive Tender Period, Residential shall not solicit proposals or negotiate with any other third party with respect to such request for Additional Service. Upon receipt of Altisource’s proposal for the Additional Service, Residential shall consider such proposal exclusively and shall negotiate with Altisource in good faith with respect to the possible provision by Altisource of such Additional Services.

 

8.1.2.                 END OF THE EXCLUSIVE TENDER PERIOD .  If, at the end of the Exclusive Tender Period, Altisource and Residential do not agree on the proposed SOW, Residential may solicit proposals from Third Party Additional Service Providers with respect to the Additional Service; provided , however, that Residential shall not disclose any Confidential Information received from Altisource, whether verbal or written, in the proposed SOW or during the Exclusive Tender Period negotiations, and such Confidential Information shall be subject to the terms of Section 11 hereof.  Residential may not agree to a proposed SOW with a Third Party Additional Service Provider where the terms and conditions of the proposed SOW are not materially better than the terms and conditions provided by Altisource.

 

8.2.                            RESIDENTIAL MAY NOT PROVIDE SERVICES .  Residential shall not develop or provide, for itself or other parties, services reasonably similar to or related to the Services provided by Altisource hereunder or under any SOW or provided by Altisource to other parties under any SOW without first obtaining written approval from Altisource, which Altisource may approve in its sole discretion.

 

8.3.                             ALTISOURCE MAY PROVIDE SERVICES TO THIRD PARTIES .  For the avoidance of doubt, Altisource shall not be restricted from providing services to a third party that are similar or identical to the Services provided hereunder or under any SOW.

 

9.                                       INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY .

 

9.1.                             RETENTION OF RIGHTS .

 

9.1.1.                 BY ALTISOURCE .  Altisource shall retain all rights to all technology and intellectual property owned or licensed by Altisource prior to the provision of Services hereunder or developed by Altisource during the course of and in association with the provision of Services under this Agreement by Altisource, including all derivative works.

 

9.1.2.                 BY RESIDENTIAL .  Residential shall retain all rights to all intellectual property owned or licensed by Residential prior to the provision of Services hereunder or developed by Residential during the course of and in association with the provision of Services by Altisource under this Agreement, including all derivative works.

 

9.2.                             GRANT OF LIMITED LICENSES .  Each Party grants to the other and their Affiliates a limited, non-exclusive, fully paid-up, nontransferable, revocable license, without the right to sublicense, for the term of this Agreement to use all intellectual property owned by or, to the extent permitted by the applicable license, licensed to such Party solely to the extent necessary for the other Party to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

9.3.                             TERMINATION OF LIMITED LICENSES .  For the avoidance of doubt, this license will terminate upon the termination, cancellation or expiration of this Agreement.

 

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10.                                ACCESS; RELATIONSHIP EXECUTIVES .

 

10.1.                      ACCESS TO RESIDENTIAL’S PREMISES AND RECORDS .  Residential shall permit Altisource and its employees and representatives access, on Business Days during hours that constitute regular business hours for Residential and upon reasonable prior request, to the premises of Residential and such data, books, records and personnel designated by the Residential as involved in receiving or overseeing the Services as Altisource may reasonably request for the purposes of providing the Services.  Altisource shall provide Residential, upon reasonable prior written notice, such documentation relating to the provision of the Services as Residential may reasonably request for the purposes of confirming any Invoiced Amount pursuant to this Agreement. Any documentation so provided by Altisource pursuant to this Section 10.1 will be subject to the confidentiality obligations set forth in Section 11 .

 

10.2.                      RELATIONSHIP EXECUTIVES .  Each Party hereto shall designate a Relationship Executive to report and discuss issues with respect to the provision of the Services.  Each Party hereto shall designate successor Relationship Executives in the event that a designated Relationship Executive is not available to perform such role hereunder.  The initial Relationship Executive designated by Residential shall be Ashish Pandey and the initial Relationship Executive designated by Altisource shall be William B. Shepro.  Either Party may replace its Relationship Executive at any time by providing written notice thereof to the other Party hereto.

 

11.                                CONFIDENTIALITY .

 

11.1.                      DUTY TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION .  Subject to Section 11.2 , each of Residential and Altisource are to hold, and to cause its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to its own confidential and proprietary information pursuant to policies in effect as of the Effective Date, all Confidential Information concerning the other Party and shall not use any such Confidential Information other than for such purposes as shall be expressly permitted hereunder, except to the extent that such Confidential Information has been (i) in the public domain through no fault of such Party or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives; (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party, which sources are not known by such Party to be themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation, or (iii) independently generated without reference to any proprietary or Confidential Information of the other Party.

 

11.2.                      PERMITTED DISCLOSURES .  Each Party agrees not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any such Confidential Information (excluding Confidential Information described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 11.1 ) to any other Person, except its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives who need to know such Confidential Information (who shall be advised of their obligations hereunder with respect to such Confidential Information), except in compliance with Section 11.3 .

 

11.3.                      REQUIRED DISCLOSURES .  In the event that either Party either determines on the advice of its counsel that it is required to disclose any Confidential Information pursuant to applicable law or receives any demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide Confidential Information of the other Party that is subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof, such Party shall, to the extent permitted by law, notify the other Party prior to disclosing or providing such Confidential Information and shall cooperate, at the expense of the requesting Party, in seeking any reasonable protective arrangements requested by such other Party.  Subject to the foregoing, the Party that received such request may thereafter disclose or provide Confidential Information to the extent required by such law (as so advised by counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority.

 

11.4.                      RETURN OR DESTRUCTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION .  Without limiting the foregoing, when any Confidential Information is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement, each Party will promptly, after request of the other Party, either return the Confidential Information to the other Party in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or certify to the other Party that any Confidential Information not returned in a tangible form (including any such Confidential Information that exists in an electronic form) has been destroyed (as have such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon).

 

12.                                LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION .

 

12.1.                      WAIVER BY RESIDENTIAL .  Other than the statements expressly made by Altisource in this Agreement or in any SOW, Altisource makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the

 

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Services and, except as provided in Section   12.2 , Residential hereby waives, releases and renounces all other representations, warranties, obligations and liabilities of Altisource, and any other rights, claims and remedies of Residential against Altisource, express or implied, arising by law or otherwise, with respect to any nonconformance, durability, error, omission or defect in any of the Services, including: (i) any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or noninfringement; (ii) any implied warranty arising from course of performance, course of dealing or usage of trade; and (iii) any obligation, liability, right, claim or remedy in tort, whether or not arising from the negligence of Altisource.

 

12.2.                      ALTISOURCE’S LIABILITY .  None of Altisource or any of Altisource’s Affiliates or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by Altisource or such person under or in connection with this Agreement, except that Altisource shall be liable for direct damages or losses incurred by Residential arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Altisource or any of Altisource’s Affiliates or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-infact, contractors or other representatives in the performance or nonperformance of the Services.

 

12.3.                      LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY .  In no event shall (i) the amount of damages or losses for which Altisource and Residential may be liable under this Agreement exceed the fees due to Altisource for the most recent six (6) month period under the applicable Service or SOW(s), provided that if Services have been performed for less than six (6) months, then the damages or losses will be limited to the value of the actual Services performed during such period; or (ii) the aggregate amount of all such damages or losses for which Altisource may be liable under this Agreement exceed $1,000,000; provided , that, no such cap shall apply to liability for damages or losses arising from or relating to breaches of Section 11 (relating to confidentiality), infringement of intellectual property, fraud or criminal acts.  Except as provided in Section 12.2 hereof, none of Altisource or Residential or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by, or the negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct of, any third party.

 

12.4.                      CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of Altisource or any of Altisource’s Affiliates or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives shall be liable for damages or losses incurred by Residential for any action taken or omitted to be taken by Altisource or such other person under or in connection with this Agreement to the extent such action or omission arises from actions taken or omitted to be taken by, or the negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct of, Residential and any of Residential’s Affiliates.

 

12.5.                      LIMITATION ON CERTAIN DAMAGES .  Without limiting Section 12.2 hereof, no Party hereto or any of its Affiliates or any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact, contractors or other representatives shall in any event have any obligation or liability to the other Party hereto or any such other person whether arising in contract (including warranty), tort (including active, passive or imputed negligence) or otherwise for consequential, incidental, indirect, special or punitive damages, whether foreseeable or not, arising out of the performance of the Services of this Agreement, including any loss of revenue or profits, even if a Party hereto has been notified about the possibility of such damages; provided , however, that the provisions of this Section 12.5 shall not limit the indemnification obligations hereunder of either Party hereto with respect to any liability that the other Party hereto may have to any third party not affiliated with Altisource or Residential for any incidental, consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages.

 

12.6.                      INDEMNIFICATION .  Each Party shall indemnify and hold the other Party, its respective Affiliates and any of its or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-infact, contractors or other representatives (individually or collectively, as applicable, the “Indemnified Party”) harmless from and against any and all damages, claims or losses that the Indemnified Party may at any time suffer or incur, or become subject to, as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the indemnifying Party in connection with this Agreement or the Services provided hereunder, except those damages, claims or losses incurred by the Indemnified Party arising out of the negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnified Party.

 

13.                                COMPLIANCE WITH LAW .

 

Altisource shall provide the Services under this Agreement and any SOW, and Residential shall conduct its

 

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businesses relating to receipt of those Services, in compliance with all applicable Laws.

 

14.                                TAXES .

 

Unless otherwise provided herein or in an applicable SOW, each Party hereto shall be responsible for the cost of any sales, use, privilege and other transfer or similar taxes imposed upon that Party as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby. Any amounts payable under this Agreement are exclusive of Sales Taxes, and an amount equal to such Sales Taxes so chargeable shall, subject to receipt of a valid receipt or invoice as required below in this Section 14 , be paid by Residential to Altisource in addition to the amounts otherwise payable under this Agreement.  In each case where an amount in respect of Sales Tax is payable by Residential in respect of a Service provided by Altisource, Altisource shall furnish in a timely manner a valid Sales Tax receipt or invoice to Residential in the form and manner required by applicable law to allow Residential to recover such tax to the extent allowable under such law.

 

15.                                PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS .

 

No Party to this Agreement shall make, or cause to be made, any press release or public announcement or otherwise communicate with any news media in respect of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party hereto unless otherwise required by law, in which case the Party making the press release, public announcement or communication shall give the other Party reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such and the Parties shall cooperate as to the timing and contents of any such press release, public announcement or communication.

 

16.                                RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES .

 

The Parties hereto are independent contractors and none of the Parties hereto is an employee, partner or joint venturer of the other.  Under no circumstances shall any of the employees of a Party hereto be deemed to be employees of the other Party hereto for any purpose.  Except as expressly provided herein, none of the Parties hereto shall have the right to bind the others to any agreement with a third party or to represent itself as a partner or joint venture of the other by reason of this Agreement.

 

17.                                FORCE MAJEURE .

 

Neither Party hereto shall be in default of this Agreement by reason of its delay in the performance of, or failure to perform, any of its obligations hereunder if such delay or failure is caused by a Force Majeure Event.  During the pendency of such Force Majeure Event, each of the Parties hereto shall take all reasonable steps to fulfill its obligations hereunder by other means and, in any event, shall upon termination  of such intervening event, promptly resume its obligations under this Agreement.

 

18.                                NON-SOLICITATION .

 

Each Party acknowledges that the value to the other Party of its business and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement would be substantially diminished if one Party were to solicit the employment of or hire any employee of the other Party or any of its Affiliates.  Accordingly, each Party agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly and without the prior consent of the other Party, solicit the employment of, or hire, employ or retain, or otherwise encourage or cause to leave employment with the other Party, or cause any other Person to hire, employ or retain, or otherwise encourage or cause to leave employment with the other Party or any of its Affiliates, any Person who is or was employed by the other Party or any of its Affiliates at any time within twelve (12) months preceding the time of such solicitation or hiring, employment, retention or encouragement except with the written consent of the other Party.

 

19.                                DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROVISIONS .

 

19.1.                      DISPUTE RESOLUTION - GENERAL .

 

It is the intent of the Parties to use reasonable best efforts to resolve expeditiously any dispute, controversy or claim between or among them with respect to the matters covered hereby that may arise from time to time on a mutually acceptable negotiated basis.  In furtherance of the foregoing, a Party involved in a dispute, controversy or claim must deliver an Escalation Notice to the other Party demanding an in-person meeting involving representatives of the Parties at a senior level of management (or if the Parties agree, of the appropriate strategic business unit or division within such entity).  A copy of any such Escalation Notice shall be given to the Relationship Executive, or like officer or official, of the Party involved in the dispute, controversy or claim (which copy shall state that it is an Escalation Notice pursuant to this Agreement).  In response to the Escalation Notice, the Relationship Executives shall set an agenda, location and, if necessary, procedures, to discuss, negotiate and resolve the matter(s) set forth in the Escalation Notice. The Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to meet no later than thirty (30) days following receipt of the Escalation Notice delivered pursuant to Section 20.6 of this Agreement.  Neither Party may initiate a

 

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termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section  6 of this Agreement or initiate a legal action or proceeding pursuant to Section 19.2  of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of: (i) the 45 th  day following the delivery of the Escalation Notice pursuant to Section 20.6 of this Agreement; or (ii) two Business Days following the second meeting (either by phone or in person) of the Relationship Executives or their designees to specifically address the matter(s) set forth in the Escalation Notice.

 

19.2.                      JURISDICTION, VENUE .  Any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (if any Party to such action or proceeding has or can acquire jurisdiction), and each of the Parties hereto or thereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such action or proceeding, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the action or proceeding shall be heard and determined only in any such court and agrees not to bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court.  The Parties agree that any of them may file a copy of this paragraph with any court as written evidence of the knowing, voluntary and bargained agreement between the Parties hereto and thereto irrevocably to waive any objections to venue or to convenience of forum.  Process in any action or proceeding referred to in the first sentence of this Section may be served on any Party anywhere in the world.  The Parties acknowledge and agree that, prior to initiating any legal action or proceeding under this Agreement, the Parties must first follow and comply with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 19.1 above.

 

19.3.                      GOVERNING LAW .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg irrespective of the choice of law principles.

 

19.4.                      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .  EACH PARTY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY, WAIVES (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH DISPUTE SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

 

19.5.                      SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, EQUITABLE REMEDIES .  In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party who is aggrieved shall have the right to seek specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The other Party shall not oppose the granting of such relief. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach hereof, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived.

 

20.                                GENERAL CONTRACT PROVISIONS .

 

20.1.                      INTERPRETATION .  Words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other genders as the context requires. The terms “hereof,” “herein, “and “herewith” and words of similar import, unless otherwise stated, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the schedules hereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Article, Section, Exhibit, Schedule and Appendix references are to the articles, sections, exhibits, schedules and appendices of or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference herein to this Agreement, unless otherwise stated, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, as permitted by Section 20.9 . The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise specified. The word “or” shall not be exclusive. There shall be no presumption of interpreting this Agreement or any provision hereof against the draftsperson of this Agreement or any such provision.

 

20.2.                      ASSIGNMENT .

 

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Except as provided in Section 2.6 with regard to Altisource’s ability to unilaterally assign, in whole or in part, its obligations to one or more Affiliates or licensed third parties, no Party hereto may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Party hereto; provided, however, that either Party may assign this Agreement without the consent of the other Party to any third party that acquires, by any means,

 

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including by merger or consolidation, all or substantially all the consolidated assets of such Party. Any purported assignment in violation of this Section 20.2 shall be void and shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

 

20.3.                      ENTIRE AGREEMENT .  This Agreement, the schedules hereto and the Services Letter, contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

 

20.4.                      THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES .  Except for the indemnification rights under this Agreement (a) the provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and are not intended to confer upon any Person except the Parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder and (b) there are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not provide any third person with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

 

20.5.                      DUE AUTHORITY, PROPER EXECUTION .  Residential represents on behalf of itself and Altisource represents on behalf of itself as follows:

 

(a)                                  Each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and

 

(b)                                  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes, or will constitute, a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

20.6.                      NOTICES .  All notices or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given when (a) delivered in person, or (b) at noon local time on the second Business Day after dispatch if sent by an internationally recognized overnight courier; and (c) if such notice is to Altisource, when (a) or (b) has occurred and a copy is sent and received by e-mail to: contractmanagement@altisource.com.

 

If to Altisource:

Altisource Solutions S.à r.l.

291 route d’Arlon

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg L-1150

Attention: Corporate Secretary

 

If to Residential :

Altisource Residential Corporation

c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation

402 Strand St.

Frederiksted, VI  00840-3531

Attn: Corporate Secretary

With a copy to: contractmanagement@altisource.com

 

 

Either Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

 

20.7.                      SEVERABILITY .  If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party.  Upon any such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable provision to affect the original intent of the Parties.

 

20.8.                      HEADINGS .  The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

20.9.                      WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS MUST BE IN WRITING .  No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by any Party hereto, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.  Waiver by any Party hereto of any default by any other Party hereto of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default.

 

20.10.               ALTISOURCE’S RIGHT TO AMEND .  Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 20.9 , Altisource shall have the right to amend or terminate any Service, SOW, Fee Schedule and/or this Agreement unilaterally, if

 

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the subject matter of any Service, SOW, Fee Schedule and/or this Agreement becomes materially and adversely impacted by changes in any Laws.  To the extent Altisource exercises its right to amend any of those documents, as provided in this Section , any amendment must be limited to mitigating the impact of the change of Laws so that Altisource can continue providing the applicable Services to Residential as if the change of Laws had not occurred.  To the extent the changes in such Laws allow, any amendment or termination will be effective thirty (30) days after Altisource provides written notice to Residential.  To the extent that the change of Laws require the amendment or termination to be effective prior to thirty (30) days, it will be effective as required.

 

20.11.               COUNTERPARTS .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by facsimile, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each Party hereto or thereto and delivered to the other Parties hereto or thereto.

 

20.12.               ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .  This Agreement may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

13



 

MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

EXHIBIT 1

(DEFINITIONS)

 

1.                                     INTEGRATION WITH AGREEMENT .

 

This “ Exhibit 1 ” (“Exhibit 1”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“Altisource”) and Altisource Residential Corporation (“Residential”) and dated as of [    ], 2012.  Neither the Agreement nor this Exhibit 1 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                     DEFINITIONS .

 

For purposes of the Agreement, including all Schedules thereto, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section or in the cross-referenced section of the Agreement indicated below.

 

2.1.                           AFFILIATE . The term “ Affiliate ” means with respect to any Person (a “Principal”) (a) any directly or indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of such Principal, (b) any Person that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the voting stock of such Principal or (c) a Person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Principal.  As used herein, “control” of any entity means the possession, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such entity, whether through ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract or otherwise.  Furthermore, with respect to any Person that is partially owned by such Principal and does not otherwise constitute an Affiliate (a “Partially-Owned Person”), such Partially-Owned Person shall be considered an Affiliate of such Principal for purposes of this Agreement if such Principal can, after making a good faith effort to do so, legally bind such Partially-Owned Person to this Agreement.

 

2.2.                           ADDITIONAL SERVICES .  The term “ Additional Services ” means a service that:

 

(a)                                  Is reasonably similar or related to the Services provided hereunder or under any SOW or provided by Altisource to other parties under any SOW; and

 

(b)                                  Reasonably would be expected to involve a purchase volume greater than $100,000 on an annual basis.

 

2.3.                           AGREEMENT .  The term “ Agreement ” means this Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of [    ], 2012, including all Schedules attached thereto, as well as any SOWs entered into pursuant to Section 2.2 .

 

2.4.                           BUSINESS DAY .  The term “ Business Day ” means any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or official holiday of the United States Federal Reserve System Banks and Branches.

 

2.5.                           COMMINGLED INVOICE .  The term “ Commingled Invoice ” means any third party invoice that aggregates Services and/or Additional Services for the benefit of Residential, on the one hand, with services not for the benefit of Residential, on the other hand.

 

2.6.                           COMMINGLED INVOICE STATEMENT .  The term “ Commingled Invoice Statement ” means a statement indicating that portion of the invoiced amount of such Commingled Invoice that is attributable to Services and/or the Additional Services rendered for the benefit of Residential.

 

2.7.                             CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION .  The term “ Confidential Information ” means all confidential information concerning one Party that is either in the other Party’s possession (including Confidential Information in its possession prior to the Effective Date) or is furnished by one Party to the other Party or its directors, officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and other advisors and representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement.

 

2.8.                           CONTRACT DATE .  The term “ Contract Date ” means [    ], 2012.

 

2.9.                           EFFECTIVE DATE .  The term “ Effective Date ” means [    ], 2012.

 

2.10.                    ESCALATION NOTICE .  The term “ Escalation Notice ” means a notice demanding an in-person meeting involving representatives of the Parties at a senior level of management (or if the Parties agree, of the appropriate strategic business unit or division within such entity) for the purpose of resolving a dispute, controversy or claim.

 

2.11.                    EXCLUSIVE TENDER PERIOD .  The term “ Exclusive Tender Period” means the period of time beginning on the date Altisource receives a request from Residential for a proposal from Altisource for the provision of Additional Service and ending sixty (60) Business Days thereafter.

 

1



 

2.12.                    FEE LETTER .  The term “ Fee Letter ” means that certain Fee Letter by and between Altisource and Residential dated as of the Contract Date of the Agreement.

 

2.13.                    FEE SCHEDULE .  The term “ Fee Schedule ” means a fee schedule entered into between the Parties with regard to the compensation due Altisource by Residential specifically for certain Services Altisource provides Residential in accordance with a particular Statement of Work.

 

2.14.                    FORCE MAJEURE EVENT .  The term “ Force Majeure Event ” means strikes, acts of God, acts of the public enemy, acts of terrorism, riots or other events that arise from circumstances beyond the reasonable control of that Party.

 

2.15.                    GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY .  The term “ Governmental Authority ” means any duly constituted body politic, whether elected, appointed or otherwise generally acknowledged as the legitimate sovereign government of the applicable jurisdiction, including but not limited to international, national, federal, state, regional, local and municipal branches of government.

 

2.16.                    INITIAL TERM .  See Section 5.1 of the Agreement.

 

2.17.                    INVOICED AMOUNT .  The term “ Invoiced Amount ” means all amounts due and payable by Residential to Altisource as shown on each respective statement of account periodically submitted by Altisource to Residential.

 

2.18.                    Laws The term “ Laws ” means all laws, rules, regulations, orders, ordinances, directions and requirements of any Governmental Authority, now in force or which may hereafter be in force, including, without limitation, privacy and data protection laws, labor and overtime laws, tax laws, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, environmental protection laws and all requirements from any Governmental Authority to maintain necessary licenses and permits.

 

2.19.                    PERFORMANCE STANDARD .  The term “ Performance Standard ” means any quality standards, service level requirements, specifications and acceptance criteria as may be identified in an SOW.

 

2.20.                    PERSON .  The term “ Person ” means an individual, a general or limited partnership, a corporation, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a limited liability entity, any Governmental Authority or any other entity.

 

2.21.                    REDUCED COST SERVICE . See Section 4.10 of the Agreement.

 

2.22.                    RELATIONSHIP EXECUTIVE .  The term “ Relationship Executive ” means an individual designated by each Party to serve as the primary relationship manager for the other Party.

 

2.23.                   RELEVANT SERVICES .  See Section 4.10 of the Agreement.

 

2.24.                    RENEWAL TERM .  See Section 5.2 of the Agreement.

 

2.25.                    RESERVE FUND .  The term “ Reserve Fund ” means a certain account prefunded by Residential for the authorized payment by Altisource of anticipated forecast fees and expenses incurred in the delivery of a Service and as described more fully in the applicable SOW and/or the Fee Letter.

 

2.26.                    SALES TAX .  The term “ Sales Tax ” means any goods and services taxes, value added taxes, sales taxes or similar taxes, now or hereinafter imposed, on the performance or delivery of Services.

 

2.27.                    SERVICES .  The term “ Services ” means the services set forth on Exhibit 2 of the Agreement, and/or in any SOWs, as the context requires.  The term “ Services ” includes, but is not limited to, Additional Services.

 

2.28.                    SERVICES LETTER .  The term “ Services Letter ” means that certain Services Letter by and between Altisource and Residential dated as of the Contract Date of the Agreement.

 

2.29.                    SERVICE PERIOD .  The term “ Service Period ” means, for each service set forth on Exhibit 2 of the Agreement, the period of time commencing on the Effective Date of the Agreement through the respective period specified on Exhibit 2 of the Agreement.

 

2.30.                    STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) .  The terms “ Statement of Work ” and “ SOW ” are used interchangeably and mean a statement of work entered into between the Parties with regard to a Service.

 

2.31.                    THIRD PARTY ADDITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER .  The term “ Third Party Additional Service Provider ” means any third party requested by Residential to submit and negotiate proposals with regard to Additional Services.  For the avoidance of doubt, the term “ Third Party Additional Service Provider ” may or may not refer to a third party who provides Additional Services to Residential.

 

2.32.                    THIRD PARTY BILLINGS .  The term “ Third Party Billings ” means any amounts separately invoiced to Residential from a third party and payable by Residential in connection with delivery of Services.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

3



 

MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

EXHIBIT 2

(SERVICES)

 

1.                                     INTEGRATION WITH AGREEMENT .

 

This “ Exhibit 2 ” (“Exhibit 2”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“Altisource”) and {Altisource Residential, L.P.} (“Residential”) and dated as of [    ], 2012.  Neither the Agreement nor this Exhibit 2 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                     SERVICES .

 

Altisource shall provide the following Services to Residential and any of Residential’s Affiliates in accordance with the terms as set forth in this Agreement and any Service Letters, SOWs and/or Fee Letters as agreed upon by the Parties:

 

Service

 

Service Period
(Years)

1

Asset Management Services

 

15

2

Renovation Services

 

15

3

Property Preservation and Inspection Services

 

15

4

Valuation Services

 

15

5

Acquisition and Sales Support Services

 

15

6

Insurance Services

 

15

7

Leasing and Property Management Services

 

15

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 2 as of as of the Contract Date.

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

1



 

Altisource Residential

 

Re:  Services Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Master Services Agreement dated September     , 2012, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (the “ MSA ”), by and between Altisource Solutions S.à r.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P. (“ Residential ”).  This letter constitutes a Services Letter as contemplated in Section 2.1 of the MSA.

 

As compensation for each Service, as that term is defined in the MSA and as described in Schedules A-1 to A-7 hereto (collectively, “ Schedule A ”), Residential agrees to pay Altisource the corresponding amount set forth in that separate Fee Letter of even date herewith (the “Fee Letter”), in accordance with the terms and provisions of the MSA, Schedule A and the Fee Letter, as applicable.

 

Altisource and Residential each agree that neither will disclose this Services Letter or the concerns hereof, except (a) to the extent necessary to comply with the law or any legal process or the requirements of any governmental authority or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (b) as part of normal reporting or review procedures to governmental authorities, and (c) in order to enforce our respective rights under the MSA in a legal proceeding.

 

Please confirm that the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding by signing and returning the enclosed copy of this letter.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

By: Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

By: Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Confidential

 

1



 

GRAPHIC

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

(ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES)

 

SERVICES LETTER - SCHEDULE A-1

 

This Statement of Work (Asset Management Services) (the “SOW”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September       , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SERVICES LETTER .

 

This SOW is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”) as Schedule A-1 to the Services Letter.  Neither the Services Letter nor this SOW shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This SOW is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated  by this reference.  T his SOW shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this SOW are contained in Exhibit 1 to this SOW, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.  Any capitalized term not defined in this SOW, including any exhibits to this SOW, shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA.

 

4.                                           SERVICES .

 

4.1.                             PROVISION OF ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES .  Subject to the terms and conditions of the MSA, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential, and any of Residential’s Affiliates, with regard to REO Properties, the following Services:

 

(a)                                  the Agency Services;

 

(b)                                  the Renovation Services;

 

(c)                                   the Property Preservation and Inspection Services;

 

(d)                                  the Property Tax Management Services;

 

(e)                                   the Eviction Services;

 

(f)                                    the Valuation Services;

 

(g)                                   the Acquisition and Sales Support Services; and

 

(h)                                  the Insurance Services.

 

4.2.                             AGENCY SERVICES .

 

4.2.1.                   APPOINTMENT .  Residential hereby appoints Altisource, and Altisource hereby accepts this appointment, as Residential’s duly authorized representative, agent, attorney-in-fact and asset manager, as the context may require, for the purpose of delegating authority to Altisource in order to enable Altisource to perform the other Asset Management Services on Residential’s behalf as further described herein.

 

4.2.2.                   POWERS OF ATTORNEY .  Upon the written request of Altisource, Residential agrees to execute, or cause to be executed, and furnish to Altisource appropriate powers of attorney and other documents necessary or appropriate to enable Altisource to carry out its duties hereunder.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.3.                             RENOVATION SERVICES .

 

4.3.1.                   RENOVATION SOW .  Altisource will act on behalf of Residential to manage the services described more particularly on the Renovation SOW, namely:

 

(a)                                  Assess real properties to determine their surrounding market conditions, physical conditions and renovation estimates;

 

(b)                                  Define renovation scope of work; and

 

(c)                                   Execute renovation of properties according to Customer Finished Property Criteria and Customer Design Specifications, within Residential’s delegated authority to Altisource for the delivery of marketable rental properties.

 

4.3.2.                   CRITERIA AND SPECIFICATIONS .  Residential will provide Altisource with the Customer Finished Property Criteria and Customer Design Specifications, as those terms are defined in the Renovation SOW, subject to Altisource’s agreement and acceptance of those criteria and specifications in Altisource’s sole discretion.

 

4.4.                             PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES .  Altisource will act on behalf of Residential to manage the services described more particularly on the Property Preservation and Inspection SOW, including, but not limited to:

 

4.4.1.                   INSPECTION SERVICES . Altisource will order and analyze inspections to identify occupancy status and life-safety issues.

 

4.4.2.                   INITIAL AND ON-GOING PRESERVATION SERVICES .  Altisource will secure the property and provide initial and on-going property preservation services for vacant properties.

 

4.4.3.                   REMEDIATION SERVICES . Altisource will plan and remediate health and life safety issues through standard work items and awarding bids for non-standard maintenance and repairs in accordance with authority delegated by Residential.

 

4.4.1.                   UTILITIES AND HOA MANAGEMENT .  Altisource will provide utility activation and management for gas and electric utilities and ensure that delinquent utilities are brought current.  Altisource will ensure that any delinquent HOA dues, fees or other similar assessments are brought current and paid on a timely basis until the sale of the applicable REO Property is completed.

 

4.4.2.                   VIOLATIONS MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION Altisource will ensure that all code violations affecting a property which have been filed are resolved and cured within Delegated Authority Matrix guidelines.

 

4.4.3.                   CASH-FOR-RELOCATION, CASH-FOR-REDEMPTION AND EVICTIONS FULFILLMENT .  Altisource will support various internal and judicial efforts for occupants to vacate the property and surrender access.

 

4.5.                            PROPERTY TAX MANAGEMENT SERVICES .  Altisource shall pay all past due taxes and assessments owed on a given real property, as well as all current real estate taxes and assessments as invoiced. Altisource will notify Residential of the amount and jurisdiction owed. In addition, Altisource may elect, at its sole discretion, to file and prosecute an appeal of any property tax assessment on behalf of Residential.

 

4.6.                             EVICTION SERVICES .

 

4.6.1.                   LEGAL EVICTION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT .  Altisource will:

 

(a)                                  Send eviction request to eviction attorney;

 

(b)                                  Track case progress, follow up with attorneys as required and escalate as appropriate to address issues and delays in the process;

 

(c)                                   Escalate contested evictions to Residential’s attention, including details of issue with estimated attorney fees; and

 

(d)                                  In event the occupant files bankruptcy after a valid foreclosure, then Altisource will assign the relief from stay action to the eviction attorney and monitor the action.

 

(e)                                   Note:  Eviction Services pursuant to this SOW do not include evictions of tenants of Residential’s rental property portfolio.  Those eviction services are provided by Altisource pursuant to the Leasing and Property Management SOW.

 

4.6.2.                   REDEMPTION AND CASH-FOR-REDEMPTION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT .  Altisource will:

 

(a)                                  Develop a Cash-for-Redemption program for Residential by customizing Altisource’s existing Cash-for-Redemption program to meet Residential’s specific parameters, subject to approval by Residential;

 

2



 

(b)                                  Monitor, leveraging occupancy inspections described more fully in the Property Preservation and Inspection SOW, the property to determine if the occupant has abandoned the property during the redemption period applicable to the property’s jurisdiction.  If the property is identified as vacant, file the appropriate documents with the governing authorities and issue required notifications to prior occupant in order to reach a determination of abandonment.  Upon receiving final determination of abandonment, secure the property as more fully described in the Property Preservation and Inspection SOW;

 

(c)                                   Extend to and negotiate Cash-for-Redemption offers with occupant of property in Redemption states to facilitate their vacating of the property;

 

(d)                                  Execute Cash-for-Redemption agreements in accordance with the Cash-for-Redemption offers and ensure occupant signs the Cash-for-Redemption agreement and submits signed W-9;

 

(e)                                   Upon agreement of acceptance of a Cash-for-Redemption offer, ensure that the property has been left in “broom clean” condition, that all personal property has been removed and that the occupant has vacated the property; and

 

(f)                                    Coordinate payment of the agreed amount to occupant on behalf of Residential.

 

4.6.3.                   CASH-FOR-RELOCATION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT .  Altisource will:

 

(a)                                  Develop a Cash-for-Relocation program for Residential by customizing Altisource’s existing Cash-for-Relocation program to meet Residential’s specific parameters, subject to approval by Residential;

 

(b)                                  Initiate Cash-for-Relocation offers within the parameters of the Cash-for-Relocation program described above;

 

(c)                                   Execute Cash-for-Relocation agreements in accordance with the Cash-for-Relocation offers and ensure occupant signs the Cash-for-Relocation agreement and submits signed W-9;

 

(d)                                  Implement the Cash-for-Relocation agreements by ensuring that the real property has been left in “broom clean” condition, that all personal property has been removed and that the occupant has vacated; and

 

(e)                                   Coordinate payment of the agreed amount to occupant on behalf of Residential.

 

4.6.4.                   OCCUPIED REO PROPERTY SALES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT .  Where allowed by law and approved by Residential, Altisource will market occupied REO Properties, using appropriate disclaimers or disclosures in marketing materials and agreements.

 

4.6.5.                  LEASE CONVERSION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT .  Altisource will:

 

(a)                                  Develop a Lease Conversion program for Residential by customizing Altisource’s existing Cash-for-Relocation program to meet Residential’s specific parameters, subject to approval by Residential;

 

(b)                                  Initiate Lease Conversion offers and qualify occupant for tenancy within the parameters of the Lease Conversion program described above and Residential-approved Tenant Qualifications for rental property described in the Leasing and Property Management SOW; and

 

(c)                                   Execute Lease Conversion agreements in accordance with the Lease Conversion offers and ensure occupant signs the Lease agreement and provides a key to the property.

 

4.7.                             VALUATION SERVICES .  Altisource will act on behalf of Residential to manage the services described below, some of which are described more particularly on the Valuation SOW, including, but not limited to:

 

(a)                                  For unoccupied REO Properties, order thirty (30) day quick sale distressed CMAs upon the property being secured, and every ninety (90) days thereafter until the unoccupied REO Property is sold;

 

(b)                                  Order Exterior BPOs for all occupied REO Properties; and

 

(c)                                   Order additional Valuation Services as may be necessary from time to time to support the needs of Residential, either as may be specifically requested by Residential or as determined by Altisource.

 

4.8.                             ACQUISITION AND SALES SUPPORT SERVICES .  Altisource will act on behalf of Residential to manage the services described below, some of which are described more particularly on the Acquisition and Sales Support SOW, including, but not limited to:

 

3



 

4.8.1.                   IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIAL INVESTOR REQUIREMENTS .  Identify any special requirements for managing Residential’s assets, including but not limited to, any MSA-specific and/or state-specific Performance Standards.

 

4.8.2.                   AUTHORIZATION OF REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS .  Authorize repairs and improvements on the property that directly relate to the improvement of the property which will, under most circumstances, increase the value of the property or shorten the marketing timeframe. Anticipated return on repairs should be a minimum of $1 for $1 return with a preferred return anticipated at $1.25 for $1 or more.  Return on repairs projected to be less than 100% may be justified if critical to effecting an accelerated marketing period.

 

4.8.3.                   ASSIGNMENT OF BROKER .  Assign Altisource affiliate RHSS broker or select referral broker where Altisource affiliate RHSS broker is not available, as further set forth in the Acquisition and Sales Support SOW herein.  Execute formal listing agreement provided by Altisource with selected broker.

 

4.8.4.                   LIST PRICE DETERMINATION .  Establish list price for REO Properties according to Residential approved pricing methodology.  Using current pricing methodology, initial list price of REO Properties is 100% of a 30-day CMA.  This methodology may be changed at the direction of Residential at its discretion.

 

4.8.5.                   PROPERTY LISTING .  List property for sale with the local Multiple Listing Service to ensure advertising to the community as further set forth in the Acquisition and Sales Support SOW. REO Properties will also be listed for sale on Altisource’s affiliated consumer web portal, where customers can bid on the REO Properties in time-limit bid auctions or make offers to purchase in a non-auction format.

 

4.8.6.                   MARKETING EVALUATION AND LIST PRICE RECOMMENDATIONS .  As needed during the marketing of the property, submit requests to reduce the list price if deemed in the best interest of Residential to do so.  Altisource may reduce the price every thirty (30) days by 5% if benchmark initial list price is greater than $150,000.00 or reduce by 8% or minimum $4,000.00 if benchmark initial list price is less than $150,000.  At ninety (90) days on market, Altisource will review file to assess potential marketing gaps, including initial list price too high, property condition, broker performance or adverse neighborhood issues. In addition, Altisource will order an updated CMA and make a recommendation on revised pricing.

 

4.8.7.                   EVALUATION OF OFFERS .  Handle all offers received on REO Properties and reject, counteroffer or accept offers based on business rules and authority matrix agreed upon between Altisource and Residential.  Altisource has pre-approved authority from Residential to approve offers as follows:

 

(a)                                  Initial list price of $15,000 or less —offers greater than 60% of latest list price;

 

(b)                                  Initial list price of $15,001 to $30,000 —offers greater than 85% of latest list price;

 

(c)                                   Initial list price of $30,001 to $150,000 —offers greater than 90% of latest list price; and

 

(d)                                  Initial list price of $150,001 or greater —offers greater than 95% of latest list price.

 

4.8.8.                   REVIEW AND EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENTS .  Review and execute (via electronic signature) all contracts and addenda and deliver fully-executed documents to closers.

 

4.9.                             INSURANCE SERVICES .  Altisource will act on behalf of Residential to manage the services described more particularly on the Insurance SOW, including, but not limited to:

 

4.9.1.                   TITLE SERVICES .  Altisource will provide title search, title curative and title insurance services, such as: (i) ordering and issuing preliminary title searches; (ii) researching, negotiating and clearing any defective title issues; and (iii) ordering and issuing title insurance policies.

 

4.9.2.                   SETTLEMENT SERVICES Altisource will provide closing, escrow and settlement services, such as: (i) preparation of closing documents; (ii) receipt of any necessary termite or other inspections; (iii) scheduling and handling closing activities; (iv) closing of escrow and disbursement of sellers’ proceeds; (v) verification that wired sellers’ proceeds match the amounts shown on the Final Approved/Executed HUD-1 Settlement Statement; (vi) wiring of net sales proceeds to bank accounts designated by sellers; and (vii) within sixty (60) days of sale funding, ensuring outstanding invoices have been processed.

 

4.9.3.                   PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SERVICES . Altisource will manage, structure and generally administer all aspects of Residential’s specialty property insurance programs, including hazard, wind, flood and liability insurance as further set forth in the Insurance SOW. Altisource will also coordinate the filing of hazard insurance claims and the provision of Property Condition Certificates if the damage to the property is estimated to exceed $1,000.

 

4



 

5.                                       FEES .

 

Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, the Fee for the Asset Management Services as set forth on that certain Asset Management Services Fee Schedule, which is attached to the Fee Letter as Schedule B-1 .

 

6.                                       SPECIAL PROVISIONS .

 

NONE

 

7.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

7.1.                             CONTROLLING PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions shall, in connection with Services provided pursuant to this SOW, either are (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this SOW is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

 

NONE

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

7.2.                             CROSS-REFERENCES . Except for this Section  7 and any other instance which refers to a specific Section of the SOW or the Exhibit(s), all references to the SOW are deemed to refer to the SOW as supplemented by the Exhibit(s).

 

8.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This SOW may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This SOW may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By: Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By: Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

5



 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

EXHIBIT 1

(DEFINITIONS)

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SOW .

 

This “ Exhibit 1 ” (“Exhibit 1”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Statement of Work (Asset Management Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”) (the “SOW”).  Neither the SOW nor this Exhibit 1 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       DEFINITIONS .

 

For purposes of the SOW, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section.  Unless otherwise defined in this SOW, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the MSA.

 

2.1.                             ACQUISITION AND SALES SUPPORT SERVICES .  The term “ Acquisition and Sales Support Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.8 of the SOW.

 

2.2.                             ACQUISITION AND SALES SUPPORT SOW .  The term “ Acquisition and Sales Support SOW ” means that certain Statement of Work (Acquisition and Sales Support Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-5 .

 

2.3.                             AGENCY SERVICES .  The term “ Agency Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.2 of the SOW.

 

2.4.                             ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES .  The term “ Asset Management Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.1 of the SOW, either individually or in the aggregate as the context requires, with regard to REO Properties.

 

2.5.                             CASH-FOR-REDEMPTION . The term “ Cash-for-Redemption ” means a program by which an occupant of real property is offered money in exchange for the occupant’s waiver of their statutory or equitable redemption rights and the occupant’s agreement to leave the real property voluntarily by an agreed upon deadline.

 

2.6.                             CASH-FOR-RELOCATION . The term “ Cash-for-Relocation ” means a program by which an occupant of real property is offered money in exchange for the occupant’s agreement to leave the real property voluntarily by an agreed upon deadline.

 

2.7.                             COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS (CMA) .The terms “ Comparative Market Analysis” and “CMA” are used interchangeably and mean a licensed real estate agent prepared product which includes a description of the subject property’s interior and exterior condition, three comparable active listings, three comparable sold properties and an estimated value based on normal and 30-day marketing times. The report also includes an itemized list of recommended repairs.

 

2.8.                             CONTRACT DATE .  The term “ Contract Date ” means September                , 2012.

 

2.9.                             DELEGATED AUTHORITY MATRIX .  The term “ Delegated Authority Matrix ” means the matrix establishing the authorized amounts for renovation and repair costs as well as an escalation process for approvals exceeding authorized amounts.

 

2.10.                      EFFECTIVE DATE .  The term “ Effective Date ” means                                          2012.

 

2.11.                      EVICTION SERVICES .  The term “ Eviction Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.6 of the SOW.

 

2.12.                      HOA .  The term “ HOA ” means Home Owners Association, referring to the Home Owners Association associated with a specific property.  HOA may also refer to a Condominium Owners Association associated with a specific property.

 

2.13.                      INSURANCE SERVICES .  The term “ Insurance Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.9 of the SOW.

 

2.14.                      INSURANCE SOW .  The term “ Insurance SOW ” means that certain Statement of Work (Insurance Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-6 .

 

1



 

2.15.                      LEASING AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SOW .  The term “ Leasing and Property Management SOW ” means that certain Statement of Work (Leasing and Property Management Services), dated as of  September       , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-7 .

 

2.16.                      MSA .  The term “ MSA ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 2 of the SOW.

 

2.17.                      PERFORMANCE STANDARD .  The term “ Performance Standard ” means any quality standards, service level requirements, specifications and acceptance criteria as may be identified in an SOW.

 

2.18.                      PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES .  The term “ Property Preservation and Inspection Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.4 of the SOW.

 

2.19.                      PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND INSPECTION SOW .  The term “ Property Preservation and Inspection SOW ” means that certain Statement of Work (Property Preservation and Inspection Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-3 .

 

2.20.                      PROPERTY TAX MANAGEMENT SERVICES .  The term “ Property Tax Management Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.5 of the SOW.

 

2.21.                      RENOVATION SERVICES .  The term “ Renovation Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.3 of the SOW.

 

2.22.                      RENOVATION SOW .  The term “ Renovation SOW ” means that certain Statement of Work (Renovation Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-2 .

 

2.23.                      RENTAL PROPERTY .  The term “ Rental Property ” means the real property owned by Residential which is active in Residential’s rental property program, indicated by an active status in the Propertyware system.

 

2.24.                      REO PROPERTIES .  The term “ REO Properties ” means real properties owned by Residential but not active in Residential’s rental program.

 

2.25.                      SERVICES .  The term “ Services ” means the Asset Management Services.

 

2.26.                      SERVICES LETTER .  The term “ Services Letter ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 1 of the SOW.

 

2.27.                      VALUATION SERVICES .  The term “ Valuation Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.7 of the SOW.

 

2.28.                     VALUATION SOW .  The term “ Valuation SOW ” means that certain Statement of Work (Valuation Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-4 .

 

{ REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK}

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3



 

GRAPHIC

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

(RENOVATION SERVICES)

 

SERVICES LETTER - SCHEDULE A-2

 

This Statement of Work (Renovation Services) ( this “SOW”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September       , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SERVICES LETTER .

 

This SOW is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”) as Schedule A-2 to the Services Letter.  Neither the Services Letter nor this SOW shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This SOW is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated  by this reference.  T his SOW shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this SOW are contained in Exhibit 1 to this SOW, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.  Any capitalized term not defined in this SOW, including any exhibits to this SOW, shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA.

 

4.                                           SERVICES .

 

4.1.                             PROVISION OF RENOVATION SERVICES .  Subject to the terms and conditions of the MSA, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential and any of Residential’s Affiliates, the Property Assessment Services and the Property Renovation Services with regard to REO Properties as well as any other properties owned by Residential.

 

4.2.                             PROPERTY ASSESSMENT SERVICES .

 

4.2.1.                   INITIAL SCREENING ASSESSMENT .  Altisource will perform high level interior and exterior reviews of the property to assess the general condition and identify potential costs and risk factors that would preclude the property from being selected as a Rental Property.  Altisource will complete at least 90% of all orders placed within a calendar month for Initial Screening Assessments within three (3) Business Days.  If the property passes the Initial Screening Assessment, the inspector may proceed with the Renovation Estimate Assessment.

 

4.2.2.                   RENOVATION ESTIMATE ASSESSMENT .  Altisource will complete a Renovation Estimate Assessment of the property to develop a Renovation Estimate.  Altisource will complete at least 90% of all orders placed within a calendar month for Renovation Estimate Assessments within three (3) Business Days.  The Renovation Estimate will include estimated material requirements as well as the renovation work required to conform the property to Residential’s Customer Finished Property Criteria and the Customer Design Specifications.  The Renovation Estimate Assessment must be performed in conjunction with an Initial Screening Assessment.  The Renovation Estimate will not be performed if the property fails the Initial Screening Assessment.

 

4.2.3.                   PROPERTY ONBOARDING ASSESSMENT .  Altisource will complete a Property Onboarding Assessment for any occupied property being evaluated for conversion to a Rental Property, including properties being evaluated for Deed-For-Lease as well as lease conversion of an REO occupant.  The Property Onboarding Assessment will include identifying and estimating repair costs for any life safety and health issues and deferred maintenance items that need to be addressed as well as documenting major components and condition of the property.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.3.                             PROPERTY RENOVATION SERVICES .

 

4.3.1.                   PRELIMINARY SCOPE OF WORK .  The Preliminary Scope of Work will be developed by Altisource based on the Renovation Estimate.  The Preliminary Scope of Work will be submitted to Residential for review and approval to determine whether to renovate the property for use as a Rental Property, or to market and sell the property as an REO Property.  Residential may request additional review and refinement of the Preliminary Scope of Work or request additional assessment of potential renovated property rent.

 

4.3.2                      FINAL SCOPE OF WORK . The Final Scope of Work will be developed based on the Preliminary Scope of Work, plus any refinements and approved Change Orders:

 

(a)                                  Confirm the materials requirements and labor estimates to renovate the property are consistent with the Customer Finished Property Criteria and the Customer Design Specifications;

 

(b)                                  Provide an estimated schedule for completion and identify any predecessors required to begin renovation; and

 

(c)                                   Provide the renovation budget, inclusive of any accepted Change Orders.

 

4.3.2.                   RENOVATION OF PROPERTY . Altisource will renovate properties acquired by Residential consistent with the Final Scope of Work.  Altisource will pull any required permits and renovate the property according to the Final Scope of Work, consistent with local rules and regulations.  Altisource will update the renovation schedule on a regular basis through completion, including any required inspections, lien releases, and closeout of any permits.

 

4.3.3.                   MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE ORDERS .

 

4.3.3.1.         Identification of Change Orders .   Altisource may identify Change Orders required to bring the property to the desired condition as a result of unanticipated or previously unidentified conditions or events.  Altisource will estimate the cost and time impacts of any identified Change Orders and provide appropriate supporting documentation and recommendations.

 

4.3.3.2.        Authorization of Change Orders .  Altisource will authorize certain Change Orders based on the Delegated Authority Matrix to be performed without delay.  If a requested Change Order exceeds the authorized amounts in the Delegated Authority Matrix, Altisource will follow the Defined Escalation Process for review and approval of the Change Order request.  Upon acceptance of any Change Orders, the renovation timeline will be revised as required.

 

4.3.3.3.         Change Order Impact .  Altisource will use its best efforts to minimize the impact of Change Orders on the expected renovation timeline.

 

4.3.4.                   TURNOVER TO LEASING .  Altisource will conduct a final inspection of the property to ensure the Final Scope of Work is fully completed, meets locally accepted construction and finishing standards and is consistent with the Customer Finished Property Criteria and the Customer Design Specifications.

 

5.                                       FEES .

 

Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, the Fee for the Renovation Services as set forth on that certain Renovation Services Fee Schedule, which is attached to the Fee Letter as Schedule B-2 .

 

6.                                       SPECIAL PROVISIONS .

 

NONE

 

7.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

7.1.                             CONTROLLING PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions shall, in connection with Services provided pursuant to this SOW, either are (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this SOW is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

 

NONE

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

7.2.                             CROSS-REFERENCES . Except for this Section 7 and any other instance which refers to a specific Section of the SOW or the Exhibit(s), all references to the SOW are deemed to refer to the SOW as supplemented by the Exhibit(s).

 

8.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This SOW may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This SOW

 

2



 

may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3



 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

EXHIBIT 1

(DEFINITIONS)

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SOW .

 

This “ Exhibit 1 ” (“Exhibit 1”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Statement of Work (Renovation Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”) (the “SOW”).  Neither the SOW nor this Exhibit 1 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       DEFINITIONS .

 

For purposes of the SOW, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section.  Unless otherwise defined in this SOW, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the MSA.

 

2.1.                             CHANGE ORDER .   The term “ Change Order ” means the request to modify the Final Scope of Work to accommodate unanticipated conditions, events, or costs.

 

2.2.                             CONTRACT DATE .  The term “ Contract Date ” means September        , 2012.

 

2.3.                             CUSTOMER DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS .  The term “ Customer Design Specifications ” means the Residential defined and maintained standard specifications of key materials, fixtures and finishes to be used in the renovation of properties.  Modifications to the Customer Design Specifications will only affect properties with renovation work commencing after Residential notifies Altisource of such modifications.

 

2.4.                             CUSTOMER FINISHED PROPERTY CRITERIA .  The term “ Customer Finished Property Criteria ” means the Residential defined and maintained minimum acceptable criteria for all finished renovated properties. Modifications to the Customer Finished Property Criteria will only affect properties with renovation work commencing after Residential notifies Altisource of such modifications.

 

2.5.                             DEED-FOR-LEASE .   The term “ Deed-For-Lease ” means the process by which a mortgagor deeds the property to the lender in exchange for a lease obligation to remain in the home as a tenant.

 

2.6.                             DEFINED ESCALATION PROCESS .  The term “ Defined Escalation Process ” means the process establishing the level of approval required for renovation and repair costs exceeding pre-approved limits.

 

2.7.                             DELEGATED AUTHORITY MATRIX .  The term “ Delegated Authority Matrix ” means the matrix establishing the authorized amounts for defined renovation and change order costs as well as an escalation process for approvals exceeding authorized amounts.

 

2.8.                             EFFECTIVE DATE .  The term “ Effective Date ” means                           2012.

 

2.9.                             FINAL SCOPE OF WORK .  The term “ Final Scope of Work ” means the final plan for renovation of the property.  The Final Scope of Work includes an assessment of total costs and time frame for renovation of the property as well as any preliminary matters that are required to begin renovation.

 

2.10.                      INITIAL SCREENING ASSESSMENT .  The term “ Initial Screening Assessment ” means the interior and exterior reviews of the property condition that will be used to estimate construction costs and other factors.

 

2.11.                      MSA .  The term “ MSA ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 2 .

 

2.12.                      PRELIMINARY SCOPE OF WORK .  The term “ Preliminary Scope of Work ” means the preliminary plan for the renovation as well as an estimate of total costs and time frame for renovation of the property.

 

2.13.                      PROPERTY ASSESSMENT SERVICES .  The term “ Property Assessment Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.2 of the SOW .

 

2.14.                      PROPERTY ONBOARDING ASSESSMENT .  The term “ Property Onboarding Assessment ” means the Assessment used to determine initial repairs required and document the condition of an occupied REO Property for consideration as a Rental Property.

 

2.15.                      PROPERTY RENOVATION SERVICES .  The term “ Property Renovation Services ” means those Services described in Section 4.3 of the SOW .

 

2.16.                      RENOVATION ESTIMATE .  The term “ Renovation Estimate ” means the estimate of the materials and work required to renovate the property to the standards defined by the Customer Design Specifications and Customer Finished Property Criteria.

 

1



 

2.17.                      RENOVATION ESTIMATE ASSESSMENT .  The term “ Renovation Estimate Assessment ” means the Assessment used to determine the Renovation Estimate.

 

2.18.                      RENTAL PROPERTY .  The term “ Rental Property ” means the real property owned by Residential which is active in Residential’s rental property program, indicated by an active status in the Propertyware system.

 

2.19.                      REO PROPERTIES .  The term “ REO Properties ” means real properties owned by Residential but not active in Residential’s rental program.

 

2.20.                      SERVICES .  The term “ Services ” means the Renovation Services.

 

2.21.                      SERVICES LETTER .  The term “ Services Letter ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 1 of the SOW.

 

2.22.                      TURNOVER TO LEASING The term “Turnover to Leasing” means the point at which a property that has been selected for Residential’s leasing program is eligible to be rented to a tenant.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2



 

GRAPHIC

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

(PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES)

 

SERVICES LETTER - SCHEDULE A-3

 

This Statement of Work (Property Preservation and Inspection Services) ( this “SOW”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September     , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SERVICES LETTER .

 

This SOW is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”) as Schedule A-3 to the Services Letter.  Neither the Services Letter nor this SOW shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This SOW is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated  by this reference.  T his SOW shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this SOW are contained in Exhibit 1 to this SOW, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.  Any capitalized term not defined in this SOW, including any exhibits to this SOW, shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA.

 

4.                                           SERVICES .

 

4.1.                             PROVISION OF PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES .  Subject to the terms and conditions of the MSA, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential, and any of Residential’s Affiliates, the Property Preservation and Inspection Services with regard to REO Properties within the Delegated Authority Matrix and per direction and mutual agreement of Residential as required for each Service.

 

4.2.                             COMMUNICATIONS .  Altisource will use its proprietary platform to communicate with Residential.  This will include critical updates to Residential of property conditions, preservation activities and repairs at properties.

 

4.3.                             DOCUMENT RETENTION .  Altisource will retain property inspection reports and photographs within the proprietary technology platform for a period of three (3) months unless otherwise specified.

 

4.4.                             PROPERTY INSPECTION SERVICES .

 

4.4.1.                   OCCUPANCY INSPECTION . Altisource will perform an Occupancy Inspection semi-monthly on occupied properties until the property is verified as vacant.  The inspection of the designated property is to determine the apparent occupancy status based on generally observable conditions evident to the inspector.  If vacant, Altisource will secure the property per Section 4.5.1 .

 

4.4.2.                   INITIAL REO INSPECTION .  Upon first receiving an assignment from Residential to manage the property, Altisource will perform an initial inspection of the subject property once vacant to determine any health and life safety issues.  Altisource will begin to secure the property and remediate those health and life safety issues per Sections 4.5.1 through 4.5.9 .

 

4.4.3.                   MONTHLY REO INSPECTION .  Altisource will perform property inspections once per month on vacant properties to identify any material changes to the REO Property’s condition.

 

4.4.4.                   OTHER INSPECTIONS .  Altisource will perform a variety of additional inspections as needed as determined by Altisource according to Altisource established business rules or as Residential may request, including

 

Confidential

 

1



 

but not limited to, certificate of use, certificate of re-occupancy, Chinese drywall, FHA certificate, HVAC, Discoloration, pest, plumbing, pool, roof, septic, structural and termite inspections.

 

4.4.5.                   VACANT, RENTAL OR OTHER PROPERTY REGISTRATION .  Altisource will file registration of REO, vacant, rental property and other registrations as required by state or local regulations.

 

4.5.                             PROPERTY PRESERVATION SERVICES .

 

4.5.1.                   SECURING .  Altisource will initially secure all vacant and abandoned REO Properties with a keypad lock.  All door locks will be changed or disabled, including deadbolts.  Altisource will install a lockbox and / or keypad entry lock at one entrance to each confined area.  Altisource will provide Residential with the lockbox combination within the proprietary platform.

 

4.5.2.                   BOARDING .  Altisource will board all vacant and abandoned REO Properties when reasonably necessary.  Altisource will board all doors, windows and other openings that may provide illegal entrance into the REO Properties.

 

4.5.3.                   WINTERIZATION .  Altisource will winterize all vacant and abandoned REO Properties to minimize freeze damage to plumbing or heating systems as required based on the type of heating system.  Altisource may also perform winterization re-checks as required.

 

4.5.4.                   LAWN MAINTENANCE .  Altisource will maintain the lawn for all vacant and abandoned properties in consideration of local code requirements and consistent with adjacent/surrounding REO Properties.  Altisource will remove all yard waste from the lawn, sidewalks, steps and driveway.  Altisource will remove all snow from the front walkway to the front door.

 

4.5.5.                   POOL MAINTENANCE .  Altisource will maintain or clean and cover pools for all vacant or abandoned REO Properties consistent with any local, state and federal regulations.  Altisource can also provide additional services to repair or remove pools.

 

4.5.6.                   DEBRIS AND HAZARD REMOVAL .  Altisource will remove and properly dispose of non-hazardous waste material and debris from the premises for all vacant and abandoned REO Properties.  Altisource will remove any tires, paint, volatile compounds and other materials which create an environmental or health and life safety risk to the REO Properties from the premises.

 

4.5.7.                   DISCOLORATION REMEDIATION .  Altisource will provide a Discoloration remediation plan to Residential for all vacant and abandoned properties that have Discoloration identified.  Altisource will remediate Discoloration per the Discoloration remediation plan.

 

4.5.8.                  HEALTH AND LIFE SAFETY ISSUE REMEDIATION .  Altisource will remediate health and life safety issues on vacant and abandoned REO Properties as through specific work items.  Examples of health and life safety issues include: roof leaks, falling drywall, damaged gutters, problematic trees, fire hazards, fall risk, electrical hazards, plumbing leaks and flooding, as well as hazardous waste, termites, pests, structural issues, Chinese drywall and other materials and hazards regulated by federal, state or local ordinances.

 

4.5.9.                   MISCELLANEOUS PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES .  Altisource will perform initial janitorial service on all vacant or abandoned properties to ensure all components of the property are presentable.  Altisource will also provide miscellaneous preservation items such as battery replacement, carbon monoxide and/or smoke detector installation and monthly sales cleaning for vacant or abandoned properties.

 

4.5.10.            CASH-FOR-RELOCATION AND EVICTION SERVICES .  Altisource will support Cash-for-Relocation and eviction efforts for occupants to vacate the property and surrender access, including meeting occupants to complete required forms, supporting Cash-for-Relocation negotiations and attending eviction hearings and eviction lockouts.

 

4.5.11.            CASH-FOR-REDEMPTION SERVICES .  Altisource will support Cash-for-Redemption efforts for occupants to vacate the property, waive redemption rights and surrender access, including meeting occupants to complete required forms and supporting Cash-for-Redemption negotiations.

 

4.5.12.            CODE VIOLATION MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION .  Where code violations exist for vacant and abandoned properties and Altisource has been provided notice of violations, Altisource will manage and mitigate code violations as well as negotiate code violation fines on behalf of Residential.

 

4.5.13.            MANAGEMENT OF UTILITIES AND HOA .  Altisource will provide utility activation and management for gas and electric utilities, and meet service providers where required to activate utilities for vacant property held by Residential.  Altisource will also ensure that any Home Owners Association (“HOA”) fees are paid until sale of the property is completed.

 

2



 

4.5.14.            MARKETING SIGNS .  Altisource will install marketing signs, provide front view pictures and remove signage upon sales close.

 

5.                                       FEES .

 

Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, the Fee for the Property Preservation and Inspection Services as set forth on that certain Property Preservation and Inspection Services Fee Schedule, which is attached to the Fee Letter as Schedule B-3 .

 

6.                                       PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .

 

6.1.                             WORKMANLIKE MANNER . All Property Inspection Services and Property Preservation Services pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will be performed in a thorough and workmanlike manner in compliance with applicable FHA standards and in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

 

6.2.                             STANDARD TURN TIMES .

 

6.2.1.                   PROPERTY INSPECTION SERVICES .  Altisource will complete at least 90% of all orders placed within a calendar month for Property Inspection Services requested pursuant to this SOW within the following standard turn times.

 

Activity

 

Standard
(Business Days)

Occupancy Inspection

 

3 days

Initial REO Inspection

 

5 days

Monthly REO Inspection

 

5 days

Other Inspections

 

Quote

Vacant, Rental or Other Property Registration Service Charge

 

15 days

 

6.2.2.                   PROPERTY PRESERVATION SERVICES .  Altisource will complete at least 90% of all orders placed within a calendar month for Property Preservation Services requested pursuant to this SOW within the following standard turn times.

 

Activity

 

Standard
(Business Days)

Securing

 

 

Initial Securing with Approved Lock

 

5 days

Lock Change/Entry Lock/Securing

 

5 days

Lock Box

 

5 days

Padlock

 

5 days

Dead Bolt

 

5 days

Sliding Door Secure/Slider Lock

 

5 days

Window Lock

 

5 days

Patio Door

 

5 days

Boarding

 

 

Boarding Small Opening

 

5 days

Boarding Medium Opening

 

5 days

Boarding Large Opening

 

5 days

Boarding Sliding Glass or Double Door

 

5 days

Boarding Single Car Garage Door

 

5 days

Boarding Double Car Garage Door

 

5 days

Boarding (over 112 square feet)

 

Quote

Security Door with Hinges & Padlock/Hasp

 

5 days

Boarding Large Front Door

 

5 days

 

3



 

Winterization

 

 

Dry Winterization

 

15 days

Wet Winterization

 

15 days

De-Winterization

 

15 days

Winterization Re-check

 

15 days

Pump Out Water and Dry One-Time Only

 

Quote

Replace Sump Pump

 

5 days

Lawn Maintenance

 

 

Initial Grass Cut - Under 15,000 square feet

 

5 days

Initial Grass Cut - 15,001 square feet to 1 acre

 

5 days

Initial Grass Cut - Over 1 acre

 

Quote

Re-Cut Grass - Under 15,000 square feet

 

5 days

Re-Cut Grass - 15,001 square feet to 1 acre

 

5 days

Re-Cut Grass - Over 1 acre

 

Quote

Snow Removal - Under 15,000 square feet

 

5 days

Snow Removal - 15,001 square feet to 1 acre

 

5 days

Snow Removal - Over 1 acre

 

Quote

Tree or Shrub Trimming

 

5 days

Tree Removal

 

Quote

Weed Removal

 

Quote

Exterior Dry Leaves Removal

 

5 days

Other Landscaping

 

Quote

Pool Maintenance

 

 

Clean and Cover Pool

 

Quote

Maintain Swimming Pool (including chemicals and hardware)

 

Quote

Repair Pool

 

Quote

Remove Pool

 

Quote

Debris and Hazard Removal

 

 

Debris Removal

 

Quote

Automobile Removal

 

5 days

Tire Removal

 

5 days

Hazard Removal

 

Quote

Other Removal

 

Quote

Discoloration Remediation

 

 

Discoloration Remediation

 

Quote

Health and Life Safety Issue Remediation

 

 

Interior Repairs

 

Quote

Exterior Repairs

 

Quote

Structural Repairs

 

Quote

Roof Repairs

 

Quote

Other Life Safety Remediation

 

Quote

Miscellaneous Preservation Activities

 

 

Initial Janitorial Service

 

5 days

 

4



 

Monthly Sales Cleaning

 

5 days

Battery Replacement

 

5 days

Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation

 

5 days

Smoke Detector Installation

 

5 days

Combination Carbon Monoxide/ Smoke Detector Installation

 

5 days

Cash-for-Relocation and Eviction Services

 

 

Meet and Greet (form completion)

 

5 days

Successful Completion of Cash-for-Relocation Negotiation

 

5 days

Eviction Hearing (vendor participation in court hearing)

 

Quote

Eviction Lockout

 

Quote

Cash-for-Redemption Services

 

 

Meet and Greet (form completion)

 

5 days

Successful Completion of Cash-for-Redemption Negotiation

 

5 days

Code Violation Management and Mitigation

 

 

Code Violation Management and Mitigation

 

Quote

Code Violation Fine Negotiation

 

N/A

Management of Utilities and HOA

 

 

Trip Charge if required to meet utility service provider at property

 

Per Utility

Utility Activation Service Charge (per utility)

 

15 days

Utility Payment (per invoice)

 

15 days

HOA Payment (per invoice)

 

15 days

Marketing Signs

 

 

Marketing Sign Installation

 

15 days

Remove Signage

 

15 days

 

7.                                       SPECIAL PROVISIONS .

 

NONE

 

8.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

8.1.                             CONTROLLING PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions shall, in connection with Services provided pursuant to this SOW, either are (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this SOW is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

 

NONE

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

8.2.                             CROSS-REFERENCES . Except for this Section 8 and any other instance which refers to a specific Section of the SOW or the Exhibit(s), all references to the SOW are deemed to refer to the SOW as supplemented by the Exhibit(s).

 

9.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This SOW may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This SOW may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

5



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

6



 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

EXHIBIT 1

(DEFINITIONS)

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SOW .

 

2.                                       This “ Exhibit 1 ” (“Exhibit 1”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Statement of Work (Property Preservation and Inspection Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”) (the “SOW”).  Neither the SOW nor this Exhibit 1 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

3.                                       DEFINITIONS .

 

For purposes of the SOW, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section.  Unless otherwise defined in this SOW, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the MSA.

 

3.1.                             CASH-FOR-REDEMPTION . The term “ Cash-for-Redemption ” means a program by which an occupant of real property is offered money in exchange for the occupant’s waiver of their statutory or equitable redemption rights and the occupant’s agreement to leave the real property voluntarily by an agreed upon deadline.

 

3.2.                             CASH-FOR-RELOCATION . The term “ Cash-for-Relocation ” means a program by which an occupant of real property is offered money in exchange for the occupant’s agreement to leave the real property voluntarily by an agreed upon deadline.

 

3.3.                             CONTRACT DATE .  The term “ Contract Date ” means September       , 2012.

 

3.4.                             DELEGATED AUTHORITY MATRIX .  The term “ Delegated Authority Matrix ” means the matrix establishing the authorized amounts for defined Property Preservation and Inspection costs as well as an escalation process for approvals exceeding authorized amounts.

 

3.5.                             DISCOLORATION .  The term “ Discoloration ” means localized darkening of the original color of walls, carpet and other interior surfaces caused by accumulation of small particles that are present in the air of homes.  Examples of discoloration include particles from tobacco smoke, wood-burning smoke, dust from construction or household projects, and air-borne particles such as pollution, organic material and automotive exhaust.

 

3.6.                             EFFECTIVE DATE .  The term “ Effective Date ” means                                    2012.

 

3.7.                             HOA .  The term “ HOA ” means Home Owners Association, referring to the Home Owners Association associated with a specific REO property.  HOA may also refer to a Condominium Owners Association associated with a specific REO property.

 

3.8.                             MSA .  The term “ MSA ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 2 .

 

3.9.                             PERFORMANCE STANDARD .  The term “ Performance Standard ” means any quality standards, service level requirements, specifications and acceptance criteria as may be identified in an SOW.

 

3.10.                      RENTAL PROPERTY .  The term “ Rental Property ” means the real property owned by Residential which is active in Residential’s rental property program, indicated by an active status in the Propertyware system.

 

3.11.                      REO PROPERTIES .  The term “ REO Properties ” means real properties owned by Residential but not active in Residential’s rental program.

 

3.12.                      SERVICES .  The term “ Services ” means the Property Preservation and Inspection Services.

 

3.13.                      SERVICES LETTER .  The term “ Services Letter ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 1 .

 

{ REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK}

 

1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2


 


 

GRAPHIC

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

(VALUATION SERVICES)

 

SERVICES LETTER - SCHEDULE A-4

 

This Statement of Work (Valuation Services) (the “SOW”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September       , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SERVICES LETTER .

 

This SOW is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”) as Schedule A-4 to the Services Letter.  Neither the Services Letter nor this SOW shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This SOW is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.  T his SOW shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this SOW are contained in Exhibit 1 to this SOW, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.  Any capitalized term not defined in this SOW, including any exhibits to this SOW, shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA.

 

4.                                           SERVICES .

 

4.1.                             PROVISION OF VALUATION SERVICES .  Subject to the terms and conditions of the MSA, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential, or any of Residential’s Affiliates, the Valuation Services for REO Properties as well as any other properties owned by Residential.

 

4.2.                             VALUATION PRODUCTS .  Altisource will provide Valuation Services for REO Properties based upon delivery of the following Valuation Products:

 

(a)                                  Appraisal (Form 1004)

 

(b)                                  BPO

 

(c)                                   Exterior (Form 2055)

 

(d)                                  Data

 

(e)                                   CMA

 

(f)                                    Hybrid Valuation

 

(g)                                   Desk Review

 

(h)                                  Forensic Review

 

(i)                                      Urgent Re-review

 

(j)                                     Non-urgent Re-review

 

4.3.                             VALUATION SERVICES FOR REO PROPERTIES .  Altisource will define specific business rules relating to the ordering of Valuation Products for REO Properties.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.4.                             STATE GOVERNED RULES .   It is not permissible to order a BPO in the states listed below.  Altisource will order an Exterior Appraisal (2055) or, with written approval, a Hybrid Valuation, in lieu of the BPO in the states listed below.

 

(a)                                        Alabama

 

(b)                                        Connecticut

 

(c)                                         Delaware

 

(d)                                        North Carolina

 

(e)                                         Pennsylvania

 

(f)                                          West Virginia

 

(g)                                         New Mexico

 

4.5.                             DATA RETENTION Altisource will receive all Valuation Service orders through a proprietary technology platform.  Altisource will store all received Valuation Service orders and completed Valuation Service products in the proprietary technology platform for one (1) year after fulfillment of the order.  Altisource will archive and store all received Valuation Service orders in accordance with Altisource’s document retention policies.  Altisource will deliver archived Valuation Services within five (5) business days of request from Residential.

 

5.                                       FEES .

 

Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, the Fee for the Valuation Services as set forth on that certain Valuation Services Fee Schedule, which is attached to the Fee Letter as Schedule B-4 .

 

6.                                       PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .

 

6.1.                             TURNAROUND TIME .  Altisource will complete at least 90% of all orders placed within a calendar month for Valuation Products and Services requested within the projected turnaround time listed below:

 

Valuation Products and Services

 

Turnaround Time SLA

 

 

 

Appraisal (Form 1004)

 

15 Business Days

 

 

 

BPO

 

10 Business Days

 

 

 

Exterior (Form 2055)

 

10 Business Days

 

 

 

Data

 

By quote

 

 

 

CMA

 

15 Business Days

 

 

 

Hybrid Valuation

 

7 Business Days

 

 

 

Desk Review

 

By quote

 

 

 

Forensic Review

 

By quote

 

 

 

Urgent Re-review (Pending Sale/Management request)

 

2 Business Days

 

 

 

Non-urgent Re-review

 

7 Business Days

 

6.2.                             TURNAROUND TIME EFFORTS .  Altisource will continue in good faith to make efforts to reduce the turnaround time of the Valuation Services.  Altisource will not be responsible for meeting the turnaround times if the delay is due to any of the following reasons:

 

(a)                                  Property address issues;

 

(b)                                  Property access issues; or

 

2



 

(c)                                   Property type or other key property characteristics that do not match between the applicable servicing system data and the BPO.

 

7.                                       SPECIAL PROVISIONS .

 

7.1.                             AFFILIATES Altisource is not a licensed appraisal management company and does not provide appraisal management services.  Where required by applicable law, Altisource will designate Springhouse, LLC or other licensed appraisal management company(ies), regardless of whether they are Affiliates of Altisource, at Altisource’s sole discretion, to provide any Services under this SOW constituting appraisal management services.

 

8.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

8.1.                             CONTROLLING PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions shall, in connection with Services provided pursuant to this SOW, either are (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this SOW is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

 

NONE

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

8.2.                             CROSS-REFERENCES . Except for this Section 8 and any other instance which refers to a specific Section of the SOW or the Exhibit(s), all references to the SOW are deemed to refer to the SOW as supplemented by the Exhibit(s).

 

9.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This SOW may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This SOW may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

{Remainder of page intentionally left blank}

 

3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

4



 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

EXHIBIT 1

(DEFINITIONS)

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SOW .

 

This “ Exhibit 1 ” (“Exhibit 1”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Statement of Work (Valuation Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”) (the “SOW”).  Neither the SOW nor this Exhibit 1 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       DEFINITIONS .

 

For purposes of the SOW, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section.  Unless otherwise defined in this SOW, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the MSA.

 

2.1.                             APPRAISAL (FORM 1004) .  The term “ Appraisal (Form 1004) ” means the completed appraisal of a property.  The Appraisal (Form 1004) includes a full exterior and interior appraisal, the estimated property value, and recent comparable sales and listings.  The Appraisal (Form 1004) is completed by a licensed appraiser or certified appraiser.  The completed appraisal is a FNMA 1004 form.

 

2.2.                             ASSET MANAGEMENT SOW .  The term “ Asset Management SOW ” means that certain Statement of Work (Asset Management Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-1 .

 

2.3.                             BROKER’S PRICE OPINION (“BPO”) .  The term “ Broker’s Price Opinion ” means the completed opinion of the property.  The BPO is determined by a basic exterior inspection of the property.  The BPO includes a description of the property’s exterior condition, three comparable active listings, three comparable sold properties and an estimated property value based on both normal and 30-day marketing times.

 

2.4.                             COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS (“CMA”) .  The term “ Comparative Market Analysis ” means the description of the subject property’s interior and exterior condition, three comparable active listings, three comparable sold properties and an estimated value based on normal and 30-day marketing times. The CMA also includes an itemized list of recommended repairs.  The CMA is prepared by a Licensed Real Estate Agent.

 

2.5.                             CONTRACT DATE .  The term “ Contract Date ” means September        , 2012.

 

2.6.                             DATA .  The term “ Data ” means the trained real estate analyst review of the BPO or CMA (provided by Residential or billed separately) and value reconciliation using information provided, including all prior Valuation Services stored by Residential along with limited use of external data sources.  Commentary is provided to support value conclusions.

 

2.7.                             DESK REVIEW .  The term “ Desk Review ” means the trained real estate analyst review of the BPO, CMA, Interior REO review, or third party origination appraisals.  Each review may include a single product or span multiple products.

 

2.8.                             EFFECTIVE DATE .  The term “ Effective Date ” means                                         2012.

 

2.9.                             EXTERIOR (FORM 2055) .  The term “ Exterior (Form 2055)” means the completed exterior drive-by appraisal of the property. The Exterior (Form 2055) appraisal is completed by a licensed or certified appraiser.  The Exterior (Form 2055) includes a description of the exterior conditions of the property, comparables of recent sales and listings and an estimated property value.  The completed Exterior (Form 2055) is a FNMA 2055 form.

 

2.10.                      FORENSIC REVIEW .  The term “ Forensic Review ” means the trained real estate analyst review of an original appraisal completed within the last two (2) years. In conducting the Forensic Review, the trained real estate analyst retrieves comparable sales from the time of origination and compares with those provided on the original report. The Forensic Review is used to determine whether the original appraisal was inadequately completed and the value was not accurately representative of the property at the time of origination.

 

2.11.                      HYBRID VALUATION .  The term “ Hybrid Valuation ” means the trained real estate analyst adjusted Automated Valuation Model (“ AVM ”).  The trained real estate analyst will review one or more AVMs, review the current REO Inspection Report (as that term is defined in the Property Preservation and

 

1



 

Inspection Services SOW) and reconcile those reports with previous valuations (if available), adjusting the AVM data to reflect Residential guidelines and specifications, resulting in an adjusted AVM estimate of value (Hybrid Valuation).  The REO Inspection Report must reflect the interior condition of the property for REO properties.

 

2.12.                      INTERIOR REO REVIEW .  The term “Interior REO Review ” means the 2 nd  level interior review of the condition of a REO property.

 

2.13.                      MSA .  The term “ MSA ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 2 of the SOW.

 

2.14.                      NON-URGENT RE-REVIEW .  The term “ Non-urgent Re-review ” means the requested non-urgent re-review of a Valuation Product.

 

2.15.                      PERFORMANCE STANDARD .  The term “ Performance Standard ” means any quality standards, service level requirements, specifications and acceptance criteria as may be identified in an SOW.

 

2.16.                      PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES SOW .  The term “ Property Preservation and Inspection Services SOW ” means that certain Statement of Work (Property Preservation and Inspection Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-3 .

 

2.17.                      RENTAL PROPERTY .  The term “ Rental Property ” means the real property owned by Residential which is active in Residential’s rental property program, indicated by an active status in the Propertyware system.

 

2.18.                      REO PROPERTIES .  The term “ REO Properties ” means real properties owned by Residential but not active in Residential’s rental program.

 

2.19.                      SERVICES .  The term “ Services ” means the Valuation Services.

 

2.20.                      SERVICES LETTER .  The term “ Services Letter ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 1 of the SOW.

 

2.21.                      URGENT RE-REVIEW .  The term “ Urgent Re-review ” means the requested urgent re-review of a Valuation Product.

 

2.22.                      VALUATION PRODUCTS .  The term “ Valuation Products ” means those services described in Section 4.2 of the SOW.

 

{Remainder of page intentionally left blank}

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3



 

GRAPHIC

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

(ACQUISITION AND SALES SUPPORT SERVICES)

 

SERVICES LETTER - SCHEDULE A-5

 

This Statement of Work (Acquisition and Sales Support Services) (the “SOW”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September     , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SERVICES LETTER .

 

This SOW is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”) as Schedule A-5 to the Services Letter.  Neither the Services Letter nor this SOW shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This SOW is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.  T his SOW shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this SOW are contained in Exhibit 1 to this SOW, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.  Any capitalized term not defined in this SOW, including any exhibits to this SOW, shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA.

 

4.                                           SERVICES .

 

4.1.                             PROVISION OF ACQUISITION AND SALES SUPPORT SERVICES .  Subject to the terms and conditions of the MSA, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential and any of Residential’s Affiliates, the Acquisition and Sales Support Services for REO Properties.

 

4.2.                             ACQUISITION SERVICES .

 

4.2.1.                   NON-BULK PURCHASES Altisource will act on behalf of Residential as a licensed real estate buyer’s agent for Non-Bulk Purchases, or will refer a qualified real estate buyer’s agent for the acquisition of REO properties, including performance as Residential’s chosen closing agent.  Other Acquisition Services may include valuation of properties as requested, diligence on servicer requirements and development of market assessments.

 

4.2.2.                   BULK PURCHASES .  Altisource will provide Acquisition Services for Bulk Purchases which may include but are not limited to assessment of potential market rent, determination of repair cost factors for structure age and location of assets and assessment of various other timeline and cost factors (e.g., foreclosure, eviction and redemption) based on asset location.

 

4.3.                             SALES SUPPORT SERVICES .  Altisource will act on behalf of Residential as a licensed real estate seller’s agent, or will refer a qualified real estate seller’s agent for the marketing and sale of REO properties.

 

4.3.1.                   LISTING .  Altisource will list the property in the local MLS in accordance with MLS guidelines and with Residential-approved pricing methodology.

 

4.3.2.                   MARKETING .  Altisource will immediately market properties taking actions including, but not limited to:

 

(a)                                  Arranging advertising and cooperating fully with other brokers;

 

(b)                                  Placing access devices on the property;

 

(c)                                   Placing “for sale” signs on the property; and

 

(d)                                  Posting properties on the Altisource online portal.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

Residential shall not be obligated to pay any costs for marketing unless prior approval is obtained from Residential.

 

4.3.3.                   OFFER GUIDELINES .  Altisource will ensure prospective buyers and buyers’ agents are aware that all offers will be submitted online through the Altisource online portal.

 

4.3.4.                   CONTRACTS .  Altisource will ensure that all contracts for the sale of REO Property will:

 

(a)                                  Be executed using Altisource’s standard Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA); and

 

(b)                                  Identify the seller, as Altisource Residential, L.P.

 

4.3.5.                   PROPERTY CONDITION .  Altisource will ensure that the PSA expressly states that Residential makes no representations or warranties as to the condition of the property, improvements or appurtenances and that the property is sold “as is-where is.” All standard or preprinted warranties and representations concerning property condition will be deleted.

 

4.3.6.                   EARNEST MONEY .  Earnest money will be held by the negotiated closing agent or the licensed Altisource Affiliate (where applicable) in an amount that is consistent with current Altisource REO sales policy.  Except as may otherwise be required by applicable law, each sales contract will provide that in the event of default by purchaser, earnest money will be forfeited in full and the entire amount paid to Residential immediately upon demand.

 

4.3.7.                   CLOSING .  Altisource will execute all PSA documents on behalf of Residential by and through the authority granted them by Residential.

 

5.                                       FEES .

 

Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, the Fee for the Acquisition and Sales Support Services as set forth on that certain Acquisition and Sales Support Services Fee Schedule, which is attached to the Fee Letter as Schedule B-5 .

 

6.                                       PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .

 

LISTINGS .  Altisource will list at least 98% of all REO Properties received within a calendar month in their respective MLS within four (4) Business Days of executing the listing agreement. This Performance Standard will apply to the initial listing as well as any changes or amendments to the initial listing. .

 

7.                                      SPECIAL PROVISIONS .

 

AFFILIATES Altisource is not a licensed real estate broker and does not provide real estate brokerage services. Where required by applicable law, Altisource will designate a licensed real estate broker, regardless of whether that broker is an Affiliate of Altisource, at Altisource’s sole discretion, to provide any Services under this SOW constituting real estate brokerage services.

 

8.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

8.1.                             CONTROLLING PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions shall, in connection with Services provided pursuant to this SOW, either are (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this SOW is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

 

NONE

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

8.2.                             CROSS-REFERENCES . Except for this Section 8 and any other instance which refers to a specific Section of the SOW or the Exhibit(s), all references to the SOW are deemed to refer to the SOW as supplemented by the Exhibit(s).

 

9.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This SOW may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This SOW may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3



 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

EXHIBIT 1

(DEFINITIONS)

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SOW .

 

This “ Exhibit 1 ” (“Exhibit 1”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Statement of Work (Acquisition and Sales Support Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”) (the “SOW”).  Neither the SOW nor this Exhibit 1 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       DEFINITIONS .

 

For purposes of the SOW, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section.  Unless otherwise defined in this SOW, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the MSA.

 

2.1.                             ACQUISITION SERVICES .  The term “ Acquisition Services ” means those services provided by Altisource, Altisource’s Affiliates, or referral brokers that facilitate Residential in the acquisition of REO properties.

 

2.2.                             BULK PURCHASE .  The term “ Bulk Purchase ” means the purchase of more than 50 (fifty) assets in a single transaction from the same seller or seller group.

 

2.3.                             CONTRACT DATE .  The term “ Contract Date ” means September         , 2012.

 

2.4.                             EFFECTIVE DATE .  The term “ Effective Date ” means                                               2012.

 

2.5.                             MLS .  The term “ MLS ” means Multiple Listing Service.

 

2.6.                             MSA .  The term “ MSA ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 2 .

 

2.7.                             NON-BULK PURCHASE .  The term “ Non-Bulk Purchase ” means the purchase of 50 (fifty) assets or less in a single transaction from the same seller or seller group.

 

2.8.                             PERFORMANCE STANDARD .  The term “ Performance Standard ” means any quality standards, service level requirements, specifications and acceptance criteria as may be identified in an SOW.

 

2.9.                             RENTAL PROPERTY .  The term “ Rental Property ” means the real property owned by Residential which is active in Residential’s rental property program, indicated by an active status in the Propertyware system.

 

2.10.                      REO PROPERTIES .  The term “ REO Properties ” means real properties owned by Residential but not active in Residential’s rental program.

 

2.11.                      SALES SUPPORT SERVICES .  The term “ Sales Support Services ” means those services provided by Altisource, Altisource’s Affiliates, or referral brokers that facilitate Residential in the marketing and sale of REO properties or other properties owned by Residential.

 

2.12.                      SERVICES .  The term “ Services ” means the Acquisition and Sales Support Services.

 

2.13.                      SERVICES LETTER .  The term “ Services Letter ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 1 .

 

{REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK}

 

1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2


 


 

GRAPHIC

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

(INSURANCE SERVICES)

 

SERVICES LETTER - SCHEDULE A-6

 

This Statement of Work (Insurance Services) (the “SOW”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September     , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SERVICES LETTER .

 

This SOW is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”) as Schedule A-6 to the Services Letter.  Neither the Services Letter nor this SOW shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This SOW is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.  T his SOW shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this SOW are contained in Exhibit 1 to this SOW, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.  Any capitalized term not defined in this SOW, including any exhibits to this SOW, shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA.

 

4.                                           SERVICES .

 

4.1.                             PROVISION OF INSURANCE SERVICES .  Subject to the terms and conditions of the MSA, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential and any of Residential’s Affiliates, with regard to all properties owned or serving as collateral for loans owned by Residential, the following Insurance Services:

 

4.2.                             TITLE SERVICES .  For all sales of real property by Residential or acquisitions of real property by Residential, Altisource will provide the following title services, unless otherwise required by the applicable contract governing that transaction:

 

(a)                                  Provide REO title searches;

 

(b)                                  Provide preliminary title reports and commitments;

 

(c)                                   Review preliminary title commitment and grade title report to reflect title issues, if any;

 

(d)                                  Clear title issues which might potentially delay asset disposition and perform title curative work throughout the property marketing and closing processes; and

 

(e)                                   Issue owner’s and lender’s title insurance commitments and policies, including endorsements and short form policies as well as mortgage modification guarantees and other forms of title insurance.

 

4.3.                             SETTLEMENT SERVICES For all sales or acquisitions involving REO Properties, Altisource will provide closing, escrow and settlement services (for buyer, seller or both as applicable for each transaction) including, but not limited to:

 

(a)                                  Serve as closing agent for all contracts for the purchase or sale of REO Properties by Residential, unless otherwise required by the applicable contract governing that transaction, and, in that capacity, manage and coordinate the close of escrow, including timely disbursement of seller’s proceeds; and

 

(b)                                  Prepare and review closing documentation, including preparation of the deed where permitted by law, review of the HUD-1 statement and all other documents required for closing.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.4.                             PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES Altisource will provide Program Management Services related to the design, development and placement of a corporate insurance program through licensed intermediaries with qualified insurers for Residential’s property and casualty insurance needs, as illustrated by the specimen insurance program report shown immediately below.

 

Schedule A

 

Specimen Insurance Program

 

Financial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Effective

 

Expiration

 

Premium*

 

Policy Number

 

Carrier

 

Strength Rating

 

Issuer Credit Rating

 

Limits

 

Deductibles

 

1

Errors & Omissions (incl Cred. Coll.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A+/stable

 

aa/stable

 

$

10,000,000

 

$

100,000

 

2

Fiduciary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A+/stable

 

aa-/positive

 

$

3,000,000

 

$

10,000

 

3

Special Crime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/stable

 

a/stable

 

$

10,000,000

 

$

 

4

Directors & Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/stable

 

a/stable / a+/stable

 

$

10,000,000

 

$

100k/$250k/$75k

 

5

Crime (3 year pol w/equal ann. install)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A+/stable

 

aa-/stable

 

$

10,000,000

 

$

25,000

 

6

Package (Property & General Liability)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A++/stable

 

aa+/stable

 

[$ MM] per occurrence

 

$

 

7

Business Auto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A++/stable

 

aa+/stable

 

$

1,000,000

 

$

1,000 Comp/Collision

 

8

Workers’ Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A++/stable

 

aa+/stable

 

$

1,000,000 EL Limit

 

$

 

9

Foreign Package

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/stable

 

a/stable

 

Various

 

Various

 

10

Umbrella Liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/stable

 

a/stable

 

$

25,000,000

 

$

10,000

 

 


*includes taxes and fees

 

Altisource will ensure that all Program Management Services provided are in accordance with Residential’s guidelines and meet regulatory requirements.  As part of the Program Management Services, Altisource will provide:

 

4.4.1.                   SPECIALTY PROPERTY INSURANCE SERVICES .

 

Altisource will coordinate, manage, structure, and generally administer all aspects of Residential’s specialty property insurance program, including hazard insurance, wind insurance, flood insurance and liability insurance relating to Rental Properties and REO Properties, both residential and commercial, as may be required.

 

4.4.2.                   STANDARD PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE SERVICES (INCLUDING SURETY BONDING AND E&O INSURANCE)

 

Altisource will manage, arrange, structure, coordinate and review all insurance coverage required by Residential as notified by Residential from time to time including:

 

(a)                                  Property insurance for owned or leased properties;

 

(b)                                  Workers Compensation;

 

(c)                                   Surety Bonds; and

 

(d)                                  E&O insurance.

 

4.4.3.                   CLAIMS MANAGEMENT AND LOSS MITIGATION SERVICES .

 

Altisource will provide Residential with claims management and loss mitigation services including, but not limited to:

 

(a)                                  Monitoring claims filed with insurers;

 

(b)                                  Providing data and information to underwriters, brokers and insurance regulators, as required; and

 

(c)                                   Providing services necessary for filing claims against mortgage insurers when Residential is the servicer of defaulted borrowers with private mortgage insurance.

 

4.4.4.                   OTHER INSURANCE SERVICES

 

Altisource will provide other insurance services as requested by Residential from time to time including direct marketing and targeted outreach to loan accounts serviced by Residential in order to offer insurance products and services.

 

5.                                       FEES .

 

Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, the Fee for the Insurance Services as set forth on that certain Insurance Services Fee Schedule, which is attached to the Fee Letter as Schedule B-6 .

 

2



 

6.                                       SPECIAL PROVISIONS .

 

6.1.                             AFFILIATES Altisource is not a licensed insurance provider and does not provide licensed insurance services.  Where required by applicable law, Altisource will designate one of its licensed Affiliates or a third party licensed insurance provider, at Altisource’s sole discretion, to provide any Services under this SOW constituting licensed insurance services.  In certain cases, Altisource will engage other licensed title entities and attorneys as a sub-servicer, as applicable to provide required services.

 

7.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

7.1.                             CONTROLLING PROVISIONS .  Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions shall, in connection with Services provided pursuant to this SOW, either are (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this SOW is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

 

NONE

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

7.2.                             CROSS-REFERENCES .  Except for this Section  7 and any other instance which refers to a specific Section of the SOW or the Exhibit(s), all references to the SOW are deemed to refer to the SOW as supplemented by the Exhibit(s).

 

8.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This SOW may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This SOW may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3



 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

EXHIBIT 1

(DEFINITIONS)

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SOW .

 

This “ Exhibit 1 ” (“Exhibit 1”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Statement of Work (Insurance Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”) (the “SOW”).  Neither the SOW nor this Exhibit 1 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       DEFINITIONS .

 

For purposes of the SOW, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section.  Unless otherwise defined in this SOW, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the MSA.

 

2.1.                             CONTRACT DATE .  The term “ Contract Date ” means September    , 2012.

 

2.2.                             EFFECTIVE DATE .  The term “ Effective Date ” means              2012.

 

2.3.                             MSA .  The term “ MSA ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 2 of the SOW.

 

2.1.                             RENTAL PROPERTY .  The term “ Rental Property ” means the real property owned by Residential which is active in Residential’s rental property program, indicated by an active status in the Propertyware system.

 

2.2.                             REO PROPERTIES .  The term “ REO Properties ” means real properties owned by Residential but not active in Residential’s rental program.

 

2.3.                             SERVICES .  The term “ Services ” means the Insurance Services.

 

2.4.                             SERVICES LETTER .  The ter m “Services Letter ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 1 of the SOW.

 

2.5.                             TRUSTEE SALE GUARANTEE (TSG) .  The terms “ Trustee Sale Guarantee ” and “ TSG ” are interchangeable and mean a title guarantee issued at the start of foreclosure.

 

{ REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK}

 

1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2



 

 

STATEMENT OF WORK

(LEASING AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES)

 

SERVICES LETTER - SCHEDULE A-7

 

This Statement of Work (Leasing and Property Management Services) ( this “SOW”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September       , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SERVICES LETTER .

 

This SOW is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”) as Schedule A-7 to the Services Letter.  Neither the Services Letter nor this SOW shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This SOW is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated  by this reference.  T his SOW shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this SOW are contained in Exhibit 1 to this SOW, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.  Any capitalized term not defined in this SOW, including any exhibits to this SOW, shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA.

 

4.                                           SERVICES .

 

4.1.                             PROVISION OF LEASING AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES .  Subject to the terms and conditions of the MSA, Altisource shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Residential and any of Residential’s Affiliates, the Leasing and Property Management Services with regard to Rental Properties owned by Residential.

 

4.2.                             LEASING SERVICES .

 

4.2.1.                   MARKET RENTAL PROPERTY . Altisource will generate leads for qualified Tenants, which may include development and placement of appropriate advertising on the online marketing site, internet listing services and other online outlets, as well as placement of physical marketing signs on the Rental Property and surrounding area as appropriate.

 

4.2.2.                   SHOW RENTAL PROPERTY .  Altisource will respond to inquiries from prospective Tenants and show the Rental Property as required to generate applications from interested prospective Tenants.

 

4.2.3.                   QUALIFY TENANT .  Altisource will process Tenant rental applications and background checks and analyze results versus Residential-approved Tenant Qualifications to qualify Tenants to lease Rental Property.

 

4.2.4.                   LEASE PROPERTY .  Based on results of qualifying the Tenant, Altisource will accept or deny Tenant’s application for housing, consistent with local, state and federal regulations; provide appropriate lease documents and addenda; negotiate on behalf of Residential as to required rent amount, acceptance of pets or any other conditions as may exist; execute the lease with Tenant; and collect security deposit and first month’s rent.  Altisource will also negotiate with Tenant to renew Tenant’s lease for an additional term.

 

4.2.5.                   COORDINATE MOVE-IN .  Altisource will coordinate move-in date with accepted Tenants to minimize vacant time, providing appropriate standard property and local information as necessary to facilitate smooth transition.  Altisource will perform a walk-through of the Rental Property with the Tenant to confirm condition of the Rental Property for the security deposit, hand—over the keys, and confirm acceptance and understanding of the lease and any stipulations.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.2.6.                   MANAGE SECURITY DEPOSIT .  Altisource will accept, deposit, record, manage, report and disburse Tenant’s security deposits as required by applicable law and regulation.

 

4.2.7.                   PERFORM MOVE-OUT INSPECTION .  Altisource will coordinate with Tenant to perform move-out inspection of the Rental Property to assess physical condition of the Rental Property and identify appropriate fees to deduct from the security deposit to repair any Tenant-caused damage in excess of normal wear and tear.  Altisource will collect keys from Tenant and remit balance of the Tenant security deposit within locally required timelines, not to exceed thirty (30) days.

 

4.3.                             PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES .

 

4.3.1.                   COLLECT RENT .  Altisource will utilize appropriate technology to accept monthly payment of rent by Tenant, as well as other fees and expenses due from Tenant.  Altisource will collect rent and assess late fees in accordance with approved policies and consistent with local, state and federal guidelines.

 

4.3.2.                   MANAGE EVICTIONS .  In the event of non-payment of rent by Tenant, Altisource will serve notice and manage Tenant eviction processes as required and in accordance with applicable local, state and federal regulations.

 

4.3.3.                   RESPOND TO TENANT INQUIRIES .  Altisource will receive and respond to Tenant inquiries as appropriate through an online Tenant portal and/or call center 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for emergencies and 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, local property time, Monday through Friday for non-emergencies.  Response times will vary based on the nature and urgency of the Tenant request.

 

4.3.4.                   MAINTAIN PROPERTY .  Altisource will maintain Rental Property in good repair, according to a Residential approved Preventative Maintenance Plan, and respond to Tenant repair requests according to the Residential approved Preventative Maintenance Plan on a timely basis per target resolution timelines.  Altisource will make reasonable commercial efforts to minimize total overall cost of maintaining Rental Property based on Residential Customer Design Specifications and Delegated Authority Matrix for approval of repairs.  In the event estimated repairs exceed pre-authorized amounts per the Delegated Authority Matrix, Altisource will follow the Defined Escalation Process for approval.

 

4.3.5.                   PERFORM ROUTINE MAINTENANCE .  Altisource will perform routine maintenance as defined by Residential, to include bi-annual maintenance of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems as well as bi-annual quality assurance checks to assess the physical condition of the Rental Property and identify any significant unreported repairs or deferred maintenance issues.

 

4.3.6.                   MANAGE UNIT TURNOVER .  Upon Notice of Intent to Vacate by Tenant, or vacancy due to eviction, Altisource will define an appropriate scope of work for unit turnover, including long term capital improvements, deferred maintenance items, repair of Tenant damage and other items as appropriate to return the Rental Property to a marketable condition.  Upon Tenant move-out, Altisource will perform Unit Turnover maintenance as quickly as possible based on the scope of work to minimize time Rental Property is unavailable for occupancy.

 

5.                                       FEES .

 

Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, the Fee for the Leasing and Property Management Services as set forth on that certain Leasing and Property Management Services Fee Schedule, which is attached to the Fee Letter as Schedule B-7 .

 

6.                                       SPECIAL PROVISIONS .

 

AFFILIATES Altisource is not a licensed real estate broker and does not provide real estate brokerage services.  Where required by applicable law, Altisource will designate a licensed real estate broker, regardless of whether that broker is an Affiliate of Altisource, at Altisource’s sole discretion, to provide any Services under this SOW constituting real estate brokerage services.

 

7.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

7.1.                             CONTROLLING PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions shall, in connection with Services provided pursuant to this SOW, either are (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this SOW is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

 

NONE

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

2



 

7.2.                             CROSS-REFERENCES . Except for this Section 7 and any other instance which refers to a specific Section of the SOW or the Exhibit(s), all references to the SOW are deemed to refer to the SOW as supplemented by the Exhibit(s).

 

8.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This Fee Schedule may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This Fee Schedule may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

3



 

STATEMENT OF WORK

 

EXHIBIT 1

(DEFINITIONS)

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH SOW .

 

This “ Exhibit 1 ” (“Exhibit 1”) is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Statement of Work (Leasing and Property Management Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource Solutions S.á r.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”) (the “SOW”).  Neither the SOW nor this Exhibit 1 shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       DEFINITIONS .

 

For purposes of the SOW, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section.  Unless otherwise defined in this SOW, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the MSA.

 

2.1.                             CONTRACT DATE .  The term “ Contract Date ” means September       , 2012.

 

2.2.                             CUSTOMER DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS .  The term “ Customer Design Specifications ” means the Residential defined and maintained standard specifications of key materials, fixtures and finishes to be used in the renovation of properties.  Modifications to the Customer Design Specifications will only affect properties with renovation work commencing after Residential notifies Altisource of such modifications.

 

2.3.                             CUSTOMER FINISHED PROPERTY CRITERIA .  The term “ Customer Finished Property Criteria ” means the Residential defined and maintained minimum acceptable criteria for all finished renovated properties. Modifications to the Customer Finished Property Criteria will only affect properties with renovation work commencing after Residential notifies Altisource of such modifications.

 

2.4.                             DEFINED ESCALATION PROCESS .  The term “ Defined Escalation Process ” means the process establishing the level of approval required for renovation and repair costs exceeding pre-approved limits.

 

2.5.                             DELEGATED AUTHORITY MATRIX .  The term “ Delegated Authority Matrix ” means the matrix establishing the authorized amounts for renovation and repair costs as well as an escalation process for approvals exceeding authorized amounts.

 

2.6.                             EFFECTIVE DATE .  The term “ Effective Date ” means                       2012.

 

2.7.                             MSA .  The term “ MSA ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section  2.

 

2.8.                             NOTICE OF INTENT TO VACATE .  The term “ Notice of Intent to Vacate ” refers to a formal document with which a Tenant notifies Altisource of their intent to not renew their lease and vacate the Rental Property upon expiration of the lease.

 

2.9.                             PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN .  The term “ Preventative Maintenance Plan” means the plan establishing preventative maintenance guidelines for Rental Properties.

 

2.10.                      RENTAL PROPERTY .  The term “ Rental Property ” means the real property owned by Residential which is active in Residential’s rental property program, indicated by an active status in the Propertyware system.

 

2.11.                      SERVICES .  The term “ Services ” means the Leasing and Property Management Services.

 

2.12.                      SERVICES LETTER .  The term “ Services Letter ” has the meaning ascribed to in Section 1 .

 

2.13.                      TENANT .  The term “ Tenant ” means a person with a bona fide lease who occupies a Residential Rental Property.

 

2.14.                      TENANT QUALIFICATIONS .  The term “ Tenant Qualifications ” means the criteria approved by Residential to qualify potential Tenants to lease Residential Rental Property.

 

{ REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK}

 

1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2



 

Altisource Residential

 

Re:  Fee Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Master Services Agreement dated September     , 2012, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (the “ MSA ”), by and between Altisource Solutions S.àr.l. (“ Altisource ”) and Altisource Residential, L.P. (“ Residential ”).  This letter constitutes a Fee Letter as contemplated in Section 4.1 of the MSA.

 

As compensation for each Service, as set forth in that separate Services Letter between Altisource and Residential of even date herewith (the “Services Letter”), Residential agrees to pay Altisource the corresponding amount set forth in Schedules B-1 to B-7 (collectively, “ Schedule B ”) hereto, respectively, in accordance with the terms and provisions of the MSA, the Services Letter and Schedule B , as applicable.

 

Altisource and Residential each agree that neither will disclose this Fee Letter or the concerns hereof, except (a) to the extent necessary to comply with the law or any legal process or the requirements of any governmental authority or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (b) as part of normal reporting or review procedures to governmental authorities, and (c) in order to enforce our respective rights under the MSA in a legal proceeding.

 

Please confirm that the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding by signing and returning the enclosed copy of this letter.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

 

By: Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By: Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Confidential

 

1



 

FEE SCHEDULE

(ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES)

 

FEE LETTER - SCHEDULE B-1

 

This Fee Schedule (Asset Management Services) (the “Fee Schedule”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September       , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS,  Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”); and

 

WHEREAS, this Fee Schedule sets forth the compensation due Altisource by Residential specifically for the Services Altisource provides Residential in accordance with that certain Statement of Work (Asset Management Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-1 (the “Asset Management SOW”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH FEE LETTER .

 

This Fee Schedule is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Fee Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Fee Letter”) as Schedule B-1 to the Fee Letter.  Neither the Fee Letter nor this Fee Schedule shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This Fee Schedule is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.  T his Fee Letter shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Any capitalized term not defined in this Fee Schedule shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA, the Asset Management SOW or the Fee Letter, as applicable.

 

4.                                       FEES .

 

4.1.                             FEE AMOUNT .  Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Asset Management Services as set forth in the Asset Management SOW, fees as defined below.

 

4.1.1.                   ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES FEE .  Residential will pay equal to the greater of: (i) *; or (ii) *.  Residential will pay this fee to Altisource at the closing of the sale of the applicable real property by authorizing the closing agent to deduct this Fee from the seller’s proceeds on the HUD-1 settlement statement. This Asset Management Services Fee is separate and exclusive of fees due under other SOWs.

 

4.1.2.                   PROPERTY TAX MANAGEMENT SERVICES FEE .  In addition to the Asset Management Services Fee set forth in Section 4.1.1 above, Altisource shall also charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Property Tax Management Services as set forth in the Asset Management SOW, a fee equal to *, as well as a fee equal to *.

 

4.1.3.                   PRE-RENTAL EVICTION SERVICES FEE .  Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Eviction Services as set forth in the Asset Management SOW, a * fee of * to manage the Eviction Services for occupied REO Properties that then become Rental Properties.  *.

 

4.2.                         AFFILIATE INVOICING .  In addition to Altisource’s rights under the MSA, Altisource reserves the right, and Residential acknowledges and agrees, that:

 

(a)                                  Altisource may, at its sole discretion, invoice all such fees and charges from the particular Affiliate providing the services under the Asset Management SOW; and

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

(b)                                  All such amounts will be payable by Residential to the invoicing Affiliate.

 

5.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This Fee Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same Fee Letter. This Fee Letter may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2



 

 

FEE SCHEDULE

(RENOVATION SERVICES)

 

FEE LETTER - SCHEDULE B-2

 

This Fee Schedule (Renovation Services) (the “Fee Schedule”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September     , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”); and

 

WHEREAS, this Fee Schedule sets forth the compensation due Altisource by Residential specifically for the Services Altisource provides Residential in accordance with that certain Statement of Work (Renovation Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-2 (the “Renovation SOW”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.              INTEGRATION WITH FEE LETTER .

 

This Fee Schedule is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Fee Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Fee Letter”) as Schedule B-2 to the Fee Letter.  Neither the Fee Letter nor this Fee Schedule shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.              GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This Fee Schedule is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.  T his Fee Letter shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.              DEFINED TERMS .

 

Any capitalized term not defined in this Fee Schedule shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA, the Asset Management SOW or the Fee Letter, as applicable.

 

4.              FEES .

 

4.1.          FEE AMOUNT .  Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Renovation Services as set forth in the Renovation SOW, fees as defined below.

 

4.1.1.       INITIAL SCREENING ASSESSMENT .  * per Assessment.

 

4.1.2.       RENOVATION ESTIMATE ASSESSMENT .  * per Assessment in addition to *.

 

4.1.3.       PROPERTY ONBOARDING ASSESSMENT .  * per Assessment.

 

4.1.4.       PROPERTY RENOVATION SERVICES .  A Renovation Management fee of * will be charged for the completion of the Property Renovation Services. The Renovation Management fee will be payable on the Turnover to Leasing.

 

4.2.         AFFILIATE INVOICING . In addition to Altisource’s rights under the MSA, Altisource reserves the right, and Residential acknowledges and agrees, that:

 

(a)            Altisource may, at its sole discretion, invoice all such fees and charges from the particular Affiliate providing the services under the Renovation SOW; and

 

(b)            All such amounts will be payable by Residential to the invoicing Affiliate.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.3.          PAYMENT .

 

4.3.1.       RENOVATION RESERVE FUND .  Altisource will establish a Renovation Reserve Fund.  The Renovation Reserve Fund will be used to pay for all forecast property assessment and renovation fees and expenses under the Final Scope of Work.  Residential will maintain a minimum balance in the Renovation Reserve Fund sufficient to pay 110% of all forecast renovation and assessment fees and expenses each month based on new property volumes and financial model estimates.  Residential will remit to Altisource by wire transfer sufficient funds to resolve any Renovation Reserve Fund deficit in monthly forecast expenses on the first business day of each month.  Altisource will remit to Residential by wire transfer sufficient funds to resolve any Renovation Reserve Fund surplus in monthly forecast expenses on the first business day of each month.

 

4.3.2.       DEDUCTION FROM RENOVATION RESERVE FUND .  Residential hereby grants Altisource the authority to deduct from the Renovation Reserve Fund amounts needed for:

 

(a)            Standard Renovation Services fees;

 

(b)            Altisource’s out-of-pocket expenses for all materials, contractor fees and other expenses, including Change Orders, Altisource incurs under the Final Scope of Work; and

 

(c)            Altisource’s out-of-pocket expenses incurred by permit and inspection fees, including required permits, third party inspections and other expenses related to the renovation that are necessary to renovate the property within the time frame under the Final Scope of Work.

 

4.3.3.       ACCOUNTING .  Altisource will provide to Residential a detailed monthly accounting of funds received and disbursed from the Renovation Reserve Fund. Altisource will provide the accounting to Residential no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each month.

 

5.              COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This Fee Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same Fee Letter. This Fee Letter may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

2



 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3



 

GRAPHIC

 

FEE SCHEDULE

(PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES)

 

FEE LETTER - SCHEDULE B-3

 

This Fee Schedule (PROPERTY PRESERVATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES) (the “Fee Schedule”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September     , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”);

 

WHEREAS, this Fee Schedule sets forth the compensation due Altisource by Residential specifically for the Services Altisource provides Residential in accordance with that certain Statement of Work (Property Preservation and Inspection Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-3 (the “Property Preservation and Inspection SOW”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH FEE LETTER .

 

This Fee Schedule is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Fee Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Fee Letter”) as Schedule B-3 to the Fee Letter.  Neither the Fee Letter nor this Fee Schedule shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This Fee Schedule is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.  T his Fee Letter shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Any capitalized term not defined in this Fee Schedule, including any exhibits to this Fee Schedule, shall have the meaning given that term in either the MSA, the Property Preservation and Inspection SOW or the Fee Letter.

 

4.                                       FEES .

 

4.1.                             FEE AMOUNT .  Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Property Preservation and Inspection Services, as set forth in the Property Preservation and Inspection SOW, fees as defined below or quoted upon request.  All quotes for Property Inspection Services and Property Preservation Services include *.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.1.1.                   PROPERTY INSPECTION SERVICES .

 

Activity

 

Fee Per Activity

 

Occupancy Inspection

 

*

 

Initial REO Inspection

 

*

 

Monthly REO Inspection

 

*

 

Other Inspections

 

*

 

Vacant, Rental or Other Property Registration Service Charge

 

*

 

 

4.1.2.                   PROPERTY PRESERVATION SERVICES .

 

Activity

 

Fee Per Activity

 

Securing

 

 

 

Initial Securing with Approved Lock

 

*

 

Lock Change/Entry Lock/Securing

 

*

 

Lock Box

 

*

 

Padlock

 

*

 

Dead Bolt

 

*

 

Sliding Door Secure/Slider Lock

 

*

 

Window Lock

 

*

 

Patio Door

 

*

 

Boarding

 

 

 

Boarding Small Opening

 

*

 

Boarding Medium Opening

 

*

 

Boarding Large Opening

 

*

 

Boarding Sliding Glass or Double Door

 

*

 

Boarding Single Car Garage Door

 

*

 

Boarding Double Car Garage Door

 

*

 

Boarding (over 112 square feet)

 

*

 

Security Door with Hinges & Padlock/Hasp

 

*

 

Boarding Large Front Door

 

*

 

Winterization

 

 

 

Dry Winterization

 

*

 

Wet Winterization

 

*

 

De-Winterization

 

*

 

Winterization Re-check

 

*

 

Pump Out Water and Dry One-Time Only

 

*

 

Replace Sump Pump

 

*

 

Lawn Maintenance

 

 

 

Initial Grass Cut - Under 15,000 square feet

 

*

 

Initial Grass Cut - 15,001 square feet to 1 acre

 

*

 

Initial Grass Cut - Over 1 acre

 

*

 

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2



 

Re-Cut Grass - Under 15,000 square feet

 

*

 

Re-Cut Grass - 15,001 square feet to 1 acre

 

*

 

Re-Cut Grass - Over 1 acre

 

*

 

Snow Removal - Under 15,000 square feet

 

*

 

Snow Removal - 15,001 square feet to 1 acre

 

*

 

Snow Removal - Over 1 acre

 

*

 

Tree or Shrub Trimming

 

*

 

Tree Removal

 

*

 

Weed Removal

 

*

 

Exterior Dry Leaves Removal

 

*

 

Other Landscaping

 

*

 

Pool Maintenance

 

 

 

Clean and Cover Pool

 

*

 

Maintain Swimming Pool (including chemicals and hardware)

 

*

 

Repair Pool

 

*

 

Remove Pool

 

*

 

Debris and Hazard Removal

 

 

 

Debris Removal

 

*

 

Automobile Removal (per automobile)

 

*

 

Tire Removal (per tire)

 

*

 

Hazard Removal

 

*

 

Other Removal

 

*

 

Discoloration Remediation

 

 

 

Discoloration Remediation

 

*

 

Health and Life Safety Issue Remediation

 

 

 

Interior Repairs

 

*

 

Exterior Repairs

 

*

 

Structural Repairs

 

*

 

Roof Repairs

 

*

 

Other Life Safety Remediation

 

*

 

Miscellaneous Preservation Activities

 

 

 

Initial Janitorial Service

 

*

 

Monthly Sales Cleaning

 

*

 

Battery Replacement

 

*

 

Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation

 

*

 

Smoke Detector Installation

 

*

 

Combination Carbon Monoxide/ Smoke Detector Installation

 

*

 

Cash-for-Relocation and Eviction Services

 

 

 

Meet and Greet (form completion)

 

*

 

Successful Completion of Cash-for-Relocation Negotiation

 

*

 

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

3



 

Eviction Hearing (vendor participation in court hearing)

 

*

 

Eviction Lockout

 

*

 

Cash-for-Redemption Services

 

 

 

Meet and Greet (form completion)

 

*

 

Successful Completion of Cash-for-Redemption Negotiation

 

*

 

Code Violation Management and Mitigation

 

 

 

Code Violation Management and Mitigation

 

*

 

Code Violation Fine Negotiation

 

*

 

Management of Utilities and HOA

 

 

 

Trip Charge if required to meet utility service provider at property

 

*

 

Utility Activation Service Charge (per utility)

 

*

 

Utility Payment (per invoice)

 

*

 

HOA Payment (per invoice)

 

*

 

Marketing Signs

 

 

 

Marketing Sign Installation

 

*

 

Remove Signage

 

*

 

 

4.2.                            CANCELLATION OF ORDERS Residential may cancel a property preservation order at no charge provided that the property preservation service was not an accepted contract order on the proprietary platform.  Any cancelled contract order in the proprietary platform will be paid in its entirety.  Altisource shall provide pictures showing work performed as verification .

 

4.3.                             AFFILIATE INVOICING . In addition to Altisource’s rights under the MSA, Altisource reserves the right, and Residential acknowledges and agrees, that:

 

(a)                                  Altisource may, at its sole discretion, invoice all such fees and charges from the particular Affiliate providing the services under the Property Preservation and Inspection SOW; and

 

(b)                                  All such amounts will be payable by Residential to the invoicing Affiliate.

 

5.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

CONTROLLING PROVISIONS .  Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions of this Fee Schedule are either (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this Fee Schedule is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

 

SECTION 4.3 OF THIS FEE SCHEDULE SHALL SUPPLEMENT SECTIONS 2.6 AND 4.4 OF THE MSA.

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

6.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This Fee Schedule may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same Fee Schedule. This Fee Schedule may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

5



 

GRAPHIC

 

FEE SCHEDULE

(VALUATION SERVICES)

 

FEE LETTER - SCHEDULE B-4

 

This Fee Schedule (the “Fee Schedule”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September     , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”);

 

WHEREAS, this Fee Schedule sets forth the specific compensation due Altisource by Residential as compensation for the Services Altisource provides Residential in accordance with that certain Statement of Work (Valuation Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-4 (the “Valuation SOW”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH FEE LETTER .

 

This Fee Schedule is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Fee Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Fee Letter”) as Schedule B-4 to the Fee Letter.  Neither the Fee Letter nor this Fee Schedule shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This Fee Schedule is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.  T his Fee Letter shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Any capitalized term not defined in this Fee Schedule shall have the meaning given that term in either the MSA or the Valuation SOW.

 

4.                                       FEES .

 

4.1.                             FEE AMOUNT .  Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Valuation Services, as set forth in the Valuation SOW, Fees as defined below.

 

4.1.1.                   PRE-DETERMINED FEES .  Pre-determined fees are listed in Exhibit 1 to this Fee Schedule.

 

4.1.2.                   FEES DETERMINED BY QUOTE .  The following fees will be determined by quote:

(a)          Desk Review;

(b)          Forensic Review;

(c)           Urgent Re-review; and

(d)          Non-urgent Re-review

 

4.2.                             AFFILIATE INVOICING . In addition to Altisource’s rights under the MSA, Altisource reserves the right, and Residential acknowledges and agrees, that:

(a)                                  Altisource may, at its sole discretion, invoice all such fees and charges from the particular Affiliate providing the services under the Valuation SOW; and

(b)                                  All such amounts will be payable by Residential to the invoicing Affiliate.

 

5.                                       INTERPRETATION .

 

5.1.                             CONTROLLING PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding anything set forth in the MSA to the contrary, the Parties agree that the following provisions shall, in connection with Services provided pursuant to this SOW, either are (i) in addition to the terms of the MSA; or (ii) to the extent that this SOW is inconsistent with the terms of the MSA, then the terms of the MSA shall control to the extent of any conflict, unless noted below:

NONE

 

All other terms and conditions as set forth in the MSA shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

6.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This SOW may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This SOW may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2



 

GRAPHIC

FEE SCHEDULE

EXHIBIT 1

 

Valuation Products

 

 

 

Appraisal

 

 

 

Exterior

 

 

 

 

 

 

State

 

(Form 1004)

 

BPO

 

(Form 2055)

 

Data

 

CMA

 

Hybrid

AK

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

AL

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

AR

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

AZ

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

CA

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

CO

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

CT

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

DC

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

DE

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

FL

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

GA

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

GU

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

HI

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

IA

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

ID

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

IL

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

IN

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

KS

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

KY

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

LA

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

MA

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

MD

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

ME

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

MI

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

MN

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

MO

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

MS

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

MT

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

NC

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

ND

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

NE

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

NH

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

NJ

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

NM

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

NV

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

NY

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

OH

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

OK

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

OR

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

PA

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

PR

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

RI

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

SC

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

SD

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

TN

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

TX

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

UT

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

VA

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

VI

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

VT

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

WA

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

WI

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

WV

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

WY

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 

*

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3



 

 

FEE SCHEDULE

(ACQUISITION AND SALES SUPPORT SERVICES)

 

FEE LETTER - SCHEDULE B-5

 

This Fee Schedule (Acquisition and Sales Support Services) (the “Fee Schedule”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September     , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”); and

 

WHEREAS, this Fee Schedule sets forth the compensation due Altisource by Residential specifically for the Services Altisource provides Residential in accordance with that certain Statement of Work (Acquisition and Sales Support Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-5 (the “Acquisition and Sales Support SOW”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH FEE LETTER .

 

This Fee Schedule is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Fee Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Fee Letter”) as Schedule B-5 to the Fee Letter.  Neither the Fee Letter nor this Fee Schedule shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This Fee Schedule is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated  by this reference.  T his Fee Letter shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Any capitalized term not defined in this Fee Schedule shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA, the Acquisition and Sales Support SOW or the Fee Letter, as applicable.

 

4.                                       FEES .

 

4.1.                             FEE AMOUNT .  Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Acquisition and Sales Support Services, as set forth in the Acquisition and Sales Support SOW, fees as defined below.  Altisource or Altisource’s Affiliates shall be appropriately licensed to perform the work required to receive compensation for its services.

 

4.1.1.                   ACQUISITIONS SERVICES .

 

4.1.1.1.         NON-BULK PURCHASES-COMMISSIONS .  For acquisition of Non-Bulk REO Property, Residential agrees to pay the licensed Altisource Affiliate a commission as buyer’s broker equal to * at the closing of the sale of the property to the extent not provided by the Seller.

 

4.1.1.2.         BULK PURCHASES .  Residential agrees to pay Altisource the fees for the Bulk Purchase Acquisition Services as quoted on demand, with * upon close of the transaction.

 

4.1.2.                   SALES SUPPORT SERVICES-COMMISSIONS .

 

4.1.2.1.         TOTAL COMMISSION .  For sale of REO Property, Residential agrees to pay a total commission equal to the greater of: (i) * at the closing of the sale of the REO Property; or (ii) *.

 

4.1.2.2.         LISTING COMMISSION .  Of the total commission stated above, Residential authorizes payment to the listing broker and selling broker in Altisource’s sole discretion.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.2.                             CLOSING MUST OCCUR .  For sales of property, if the buyer procured by the licensed Altisource Affiliate, or a referral broker, does not purchase the property, neither the licensed Altisource Affiliate nor the referral broker shall be entitled to any commission from Residential, nor shall the licensed Altisource Affiliate or Residential be required to pay any selling commission or referral fee.

 

4.3.                             AFFILIATE INVOICING .  In addition to Altisource’s rights under the MSA, Altisource reserves the right, and Residential acknowledges and agrees, that:

 

(a)                                  Altisource may, at its sole discretion, invoice all such fees and charges from the particular Affiliate providing the services under the Acquisition and Sales Support SOW; and

 

(b)                                  All such amounts will be payable by Residential to the invoicing Affiliate.

 

5.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This Fee Schedule may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same Fee Schedule. This Fee Schedule may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2



 

 

FEE SCHEDULE

(INSURANCE SERVICES)

 

FEE LETTER - SCHEDULE B-6

 

This Fee Schedule (Insurance Services) (the “Fee Schedule”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September     , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”); and

 

WHEREAS, this Fee Schedule sets forth the compensation due Altisource by Residential specifically for the Services Altisource provides Residential in accordance with that certain Statement of Work (Insurance Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-6 (the “Insurance SOW”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       INTEGRATION WITH FEE LETTER .

 

This Fee Schedule is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Fee Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Fee Letter”) as Schedule B-6 to the Fee Letter.  Neither the Fee Letter nor this Fee Schedule shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.                                       GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This Fee Schedule is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated  by this reference.  T his Fee Letter shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.                                       DEFINED TERMS .

 

Any capitalized term not defined in this Fee Schedule shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA, the Insurance SOW or the Fee Letter, as applicable.

 

4.                                       FEES .

 

4.1.                             FEE AMOUNT .  Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Insurance Services, as set forth in the Insurance SOW, fees as defined below.  Altisource or Altisource’s Affiliates shall be appropriately licensed to perform the work required to receive compensation for its services.

 

4.1.1.                   TITLE SERVICES .

 

4.1.1.1.         REO Title Searches .  Fees for REO Title Searches are listed in Exhibit 1 to this Fee Schedule.

 

4.1.1.2.         Preliminary Title Reports .  Altisource will charge Residential *.  After * from the Effective Date of the Services Letter, the O&E Search fee will *, and the fee will * have been executed.  The fee for O&E searches will * on each anniversary of the Effective Date of the Services Letter, subject to the * as described above.

 

4.1.2.                   TITLE INSURANCE SERVICES .

 

4.1.2.1.         Title Insurance Premiums Title insurance premiums for all properties will be as per filed rates in the states in which the title service is provided.  Altisource will be paid title commissions by the respective underwriter on each transaction.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Confidential

 

1



 

4.1.3.                   SETTLEMENT SERVICES .

 

4.1.3.1.         REO Escrow and Settlement Services Fees .  Altisource will be paid by Residential from the proceeds of each closing *.

 

4.1.3.2.         REO Seller’s Representative Fees .  Altisource may charge Residential *.  Altisource will represent Residential as Seller’s Representative in all closings.  These duties include title order management, title curative resolution, HUD-1 settlement statement review and approval, coordination of deed execution and dispatch to closing office and post-closing disbursement reconciliation.

 

4.1.4.                   PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES .

 

4.1.4.1.         Specialty Property Insurance Services Altisource will receive compensation directly from insurance providers, insurance brokers and agents, managing underwriters, program managers and risk managers for providing specialty property insurance Services as agreed from time to time for each type of insurance coverage purchased for Residential.

 

4.1.4.2.         Standard Property and Casualty Insurance Services (including Surety Bonding and E&O insurance) .  Altisource will receive compensation directly from insurance providers, insurance brokers and agents, managing underwriters, program managers and risk managers for providing standard property and casualty insurance Services as agreed from time to time for each type of insurance coverage purchased for Residential.

 

4.1.4.3.         Claims Management and Loss Mitigation Services .  Altisource will receive compensation for providing claims management and loss mitigation services by assessing * that are managed by Altisource.

 

4.1.4.4.         Other Insurance Services .  Altisource will receive compensation from Residential as agreed for each separate insurance service at the time the service is approved for execution.

 

4.2.                             AFFILIATE INVOICING .  In addition to Altisource’s rights under the MSA, Altisource reserves the right, and Residential acknowledges and agrees, that:

 

(a)                                  Altisource may, at its sole discretion, invoice all such fees and charges from the particular Affiliate providing the services under the Insurance SOW; and

 

(b)                                  All such amounts will be payable by Residential to the invoicing Affiliate.

 

5.                                       COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This Fee Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same Fee Letter. This Fee Letter may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3



 

 

FEE SCHEDULE

EXHIBIT 1

 

REO Title Search Fees Per State

 

State

 

Price

 

State

 

Price

AK

 

*

 

MT

 

*

AL

 

*

 

NC

 

*

AR

 

*

 

ND

 

*

AZ

 

*

 

NE

 

*

CA

 

*

 

NH

 

*

CO

 

*

 

NJ

 

*

CT

 

*

 

NM

 

*

DC

 

*

 

NV

 

*

DE

 

*

 

NY

 

*

FL

 

*

 

OH

 

*

GA

 

*

 

OK

 

*

HI

 

*

 

OR

 

*

IA

 

*

 

PA

 

*

ID

 

*

 

PR

 

*

IL

 

*

 

RI

 

*

IN

 

*

 

SC

 

*

KS

 

*

 

SD

 

*

KY

 

*

 

TN

 

*

LA

 

*

 

TX

 

*

MA

 

*

 

UT

 

*

MD

 

*

 

VA

 

*

ME

 

*

 

VT

 

*

MI

 

*

 

WA

 

*

MN

 

*

 

WI

 

*

MO

 

*

 

WV

 

*

MS

 

*

 

WY

 

*

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Exhibit 1 as of the Contract Date.

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

2



 

 

FEE SCHEDULE

(LEASING AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES)

 

FEE LETTER - SCHEDULE B-7

 

This Fee Schedule (Leasing and Property Management Services) (the “Fee Schedule”) is made by and between ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L. , a Luxembourg private limited liability company (“ Altisource ”) and ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P. , a Delaware limited partnership (“ Residential ”, and together with Altisource, the “Parties” and each individually, a “Party”), and is dated as of September       , 2012.

 

RECITAL

 

WHEREAS, Residential desires to receive, and Altisource is willing to provide, or cause to be provided, certain Services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Services Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Services Letter”); and

 

WHEREAS, this Fee Schedule sets forth the compensation due Altisource by Residential specifically for the Services Altisource provides Residential in accordance with that certain Statement of Work (Leasing and Property Management Services), dated as of September         , 2012, by and between Altisource and Residential, which is attached to the Services Letter as Schedule A-7 (the “Leasing and Property Management SOW”).

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.              INTEGRATION WITH FEE LETTER .

 

This Fee Schedule is attached to, and incorporated into, that certain Fee Letter, dated as of September         , 2012, from Altisource to Residential (the “Fee Letter”) as Schedule B-7 to the Fee Letter.  Neither the Fee Letter nor this Fee Schedule shall be construed or interpreted without the other.

 

2.              GOVERNED BY MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT .

 

This Fee Schedule is governed by that certain Master Services Agreement by and between Altisource and Residential and dated as of September         , 2012 (the “MSA”), the terms of which are hereby incorporated by this reference.  T his Fee Letter shall not be construed or interpreted without the MSA.

 

3.              DEFINED TERMS .

 

Any capitalized term not defined in this Fee Schedule shall have the meaning given that term in the MSA, the Leasing and Property Management SOW or the Fee Letter, as applicable.

 

4.              FEES .

 

4.1.          FEE AMOUNT .  Altisource shall charge, and Residential agrees to pay, as compensation for the Leasing and Property Management Services as set forth in the Leasing and Property Management SOW, fees as defined below.

 

4.1.1.       NEW LEASE : * per executed lease upon tenant move-in.

 

4.1.2.       LEASE RENEWAL : * upon execution of a lease renewal or conversion to month-to-month lease.

 

4.1.3.       PROPERTY MANAGEMENT : * collected.

 

4.1.4.       REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE : * completed repair work orders.

 

4.1.5.       UNIT TURNOVER : * completed unit turnovers.

 

4.2.          AFFILIATE INVOICING .  In addition to Altisource’s rights under the MSA, Altisource reserves the right, and Residential acknowledges and agrees, that:

 

(a)            Altisource may, at its sole discretion, invoice all such fees and charges from the particular Affiliate providing the services under the Leasing and Property Management SOW; and

 

(b)            All such amounts will be payable by Residential to the invoicing Affiliate.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Confidential

 

 

1



 

4.3.          PAYMENT .

 

4.3.1.       RESERVE FUND .  Altisource will establish a Reserve Fund and deposit all rent received on behalf of Residential in Reserve Fund.  The account shall be maintained in a federally insured banking institution.  Residential will maintain a minimum balance in the Reserve Fund sufficient to pay 120% of all forecast expenses each month as defined above, based on estimated new property volumes and financial model estimates.  On the first business day of each month, if the Reserve Fund balance is less than forecast monthly expense, Residential will immediately remit to Altisource by wire transfer sufficient funds to resolve any deficit.  On the first day of each month, if the Reserve Fund balance is greater than forecast monthly expense, Altisource will immediately remit by wire transfer to Residential sufficient funds to resolve any surplus. Altisource reserves the right to request deposit of additional funds by Residential at any time during the month if, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Reserve Fund balance is forecast to become negative.

 

4.3.2.       DEDUCTION FROM RESERVE FUND .  Residential expressly authorizes Altisource to deduct from Reserve Fund amounts needed to pay the following Expenses:

 

(a)            Standard leasing and property management fees as stated above;

 

(b)            Altisource’s out-of-pocket expenses incurred to maintain, repair and improve the property incurred in the course of repair and maintenance and unit turnover work, as expressly approved or approved through delegated authority or other authorizations;

 

(c)            Altisource’s out of pocket expenses associated with managing the property, including credit checks, costs associated with evicting tenants (including but not limited to court costs, filing fees, outside counsel, travel as needed), etc.; and

 

(d)            Other fees and incurred expenses paid on Residential’s behalf, including utility bills for which Residential is responsible, Home Owner Association fees, etc.

 

4.3.3.       ASSESS AND COLLECT TENANT FEES .  Altisource is authorized to charge and collect from Tenant all rent, late fees, application fees, fees for returned checks, credit report fees and such other fees and charges as Altisource may reasonably deem appropriate.  All late fees, application fees, fees for returned checks, credit report fees, administration fees and other fees and charges as may be assessed and collected from time to time will be property of Altisource.  Altisource is authorized to offer and provide services on a fee basis directly to Tenant, and to collect such fees from Tenant, which shall be the property of Altisource.

 

4.4.          ACCOUNTING .  Altisource will provide to Residential detailed monthly accounting of funds (not later than 30 days after the end of each month) received and disbursed from the Reserve Account.

 

5.             COUNTERPARTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES .

 

This SOW may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same SOW. This SOW may be executed by providing an electronic signature under the terms of the Electronic Signatures Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001 et. seq., and may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form or permits the completion of the business transaction referenced herein electronically instead of in person.

 

{Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank}

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Contract Date.

 

 

RESIDENTIAL:

 

ALTISOURCE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP, LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC, its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (Print):

 

 

Name:

William B. Shepro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

3


EXHIBIT 10.5

 

 

SERVICING AGREEMENT

 

between

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.
Owner

 

and

 

OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC
Servicer

 

FIXED RATE AND ADJUSTABLE RATE
MORTGAGE LOANS AND REO PROPERTIES

 

Dated as of [                            ], 2012

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01.

 

Definitions

 

1

 

ARTICLE II

 

RECORD TITLE AND POSSESSION OF MORTGAGE SERVICING FILES:  BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01.

 

Servicing Transfer; Record Title and Possession of Mortgage Servicing Files

 

13

Section 2.02.

 

Books and Records

 

14

Section 2.03.

 

Transfer of Mortgage Loans

 

14

Section 2.04.

 

Tax Service Contracts

 

15

 

ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01.

 

Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Servicer

 

15

Section 3.02.

 

Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Owner

 

17

 

ARTICLE IV

 

SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS

 

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01.

 

Servicer to Act as the Servicer

 

18

Section 4.02.

 

Collection of Mortgage Loan Payments

 

19

Section 4.03.

 

Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans

 

19

Section 4.04.

 

Establishment of Custodial Accounts; Deposits in Custodial Accounts

 

21

Section 4.05.

 

Permitted Withdrawals From the Custodial Account

 

22

Section 4.06.

 

Establishment of Escrow Accounts; Deposits in Escrow Accounts

 

23

Section 4.07.

 

Permitted Withdrawals From Escrow Account

 

23

Section 4.08.

 

Payment of Taxes, Insurance, and Other Charges; Maintenance of Primary Insurance Policies and LPMI Policies; Collections Thereunder

 

24

Section 4.09.

 

Transfer of Accounts

 

25

Section 4.10.

 

Maintenance of Hazard Insurance

 

25

Section 4.11.

 

Maintenance of Mortgage Impairment Insurance Policy

 

26

Section 4.12.

 

Restoration and Repair

 

26

Section 4.13.

 

Fidelity Bond, Errors and Omissions Insurance

 

27

Section 4.14.

 

Title, Management and Disposition of REO Property

 

28

Section 4.15.

 

Notification of Adjustments

 

29

Section 4.16.

 

Permitted Investments

 

29

Section 4.17.

 

Government Sponsored Programs and Legislation

 

30

 

i



 

ARTICLE V

 

PAYMENTS TO THE OWNER

 

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01.

 

Distributions

 

30

Section 5.02.

 

Statements to the Owner

 

31

Section 5.03.

 

Real Estate Owned Property and Specially Serviced Loan Reports

 

32

Section 5.04.

 

Nonrecoverability; Reimbursement of the Servicer

 

32

Section 5.05.

 

Principal and Interest Advances

 

32

 

ARTICLE VI

 

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES

 

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01.

 

Assumption Agreements

 

33

Section 6.02.

 

Satisfaction of Mortgages and Release of Mortgage Servicing Files

 

34

Section 6.03.

 

Servicing Compensation

 

34

Section 6.04.

 

Statement of Compliance

 

34

Section 6.05.

 

Annual Independent Certified Public Accountants’ Servicing Report

 

35

Section 6.06.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance and Back-up Certifications

 

35

Section 6.07.

 

Reports of Foreclosures and Abandonment of Mortgaged Property

 

36

Section 6.08.

 

Compliance with Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999

 

36

Section 6.09.

 

Reporting

 

36

 

ARTICLE VII

 

THE SERVICER

 

 

 

 

 

Section 7.01.

 

Indemnification; Third Party Claims

 

37

Section 7.02.

 

Merger or Consolidation of the Servicer

 

38

Section 7.03.

 

Limitation on Liability of the Servicer and Others

 

39

Section 7.04.

 

Transactions with Related Persons

 

39

Section 7.05.

 

Servicer Not to Resign

 

40

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DEFAULT

 

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01.

 

Events of Default

 

40

Section 8.02.

 

Waiver of Defaults

 

41

 

ARTICLE IX

 

TERMINATION

 

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01.

 

Term

 

41

Section 9.02.

 

Termination

 

41

Section 9.03.

 

Termination Without Cause

 

42

Section 9.04.

 

Termination with Cause

 

42

Section 9.05.

 

Transfer Procedures

 

42

 

ii



 

ARTICLE X

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Section 10.01.

 

Successor to the Servicer

 

43

Section 10.02.

 

Amendment

 

44

Section 10.03.

 

Governing Law

 

44

Section 10.04.

 

Notices

 

44

Section 10.05.

 

Severability Provisions

 

44

Section 10.06.

 

Exhibits

 

44

Section 10.07.

 

General Interpretive Principles

 

44

Section 10.08.

 

Reproduction of Documents

 

45

Section 10.09.

 

Provision of Information

 

45

Section 10.10.

 

Further Assurances

 

45

Section 10.11.

 

No Solicitations

 

46

Section 10.12.

 

Financial Statements; Servicing Facilities

 

46

Section 10.13.

 

Reconstitution

 

46

Section 10.14.

 

Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

 

48

Section 10.15.

 

Assignment by the Owner

 

49

Section 10.16.

 

Limitation on Assignment by the Servicer

 

49

Section 10.17.

 

Compliance with REMIC Provisions

 

49

Section 10.18.

 

Third Party Beneficiary

 

50

Section 10.19.

 

Confidentiality

 

50

Section 10.20.

 

Counterparts

 

51

 

ARTICLE XI

 

COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION AB

 

 

 

 

 

Section 11.01.

 

Intent of the Parties; Reasonableness

 

51

Section 11.02.

 

Additional Representations and Warranties of the Servicer

 

53

Section 11.03.

 

Information to Be Provided by the Servicer

 

53

Section 11.04.

 

Servicer Compliance Statement

 

57

Section 11.05.

 

Report on Assessment of Compliance and Attestation

 

57

Section 11.06.

 

Use of Subservicers and Subcontractors

 

58

Section 11.07.

 

Indemnification; Remedies

 

59

Section 11.08.

 

Third Party Beneficiary

 

62

 

iii



 

EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT A

 

MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE

EXHIBIT B

 

CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT LETTER AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT C

 

ESCROW ACCOUNT LETTER AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT D

 

CONTENTS OF EACH MORTGAGE SERVICING FILE

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF MONTHLY REPORT

EXHIBIT F

 

FORM OF POWER OF ATTORNEY

EXHIBIT G

 

LIST OF TAX SERVICER CONTRACT PROVIDERS

EXHIBIT H

 

SERVICING TRANSFER PROCEDURES

EXHIBIT I

 

FORM OF ANNUAL SARBANES CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT J

 

DATA TAPE FIELDS

EXHIBIT K

 

SERVICING CRITERIA

 

iv



 

THIS SERVICING AGREEMENT, dated as of the [    ] day of [                        ], 2012, between Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Owner”), having an office at c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 402 Strand St., Frederiksted, VI  00840-3531, and OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Servicer”), having an office at 1661 Worthington Road, Centrepark West, West Palm Beach, FL 33409.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Owner from time to time intends to acquire nonperforming Mortgage Loans pursuant to the terms of certain mortgage loan purchase agreements between the Owner and certain third party sellers on a servicing-released basis; and

 

WHEREAS, the Servicer and the Owner have agreed that the Servicer shall service certain of such Mortgage Loans and REO Properties on behalf of the Owner commencing on the related Servicing Transfer Date (as defined herein) and terminating on the related Transfer Date (as defined herein), and the parties hereto desire to provide the mechanics of such servicing by the Servicer.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants made herein, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.         Definitions .  Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings specified in this Article:

 

Acceptable Servicing Practices ”:  With respect to any Mortgage Loan or REO Property, those servicing, collection, resolution or disposition practices in accordance with Applicable Regulations and terms of the Mortgage and Mortgage Note that are undertaken to maximize the net present value to the Owner of the Owner’s investment in any Mortgage Loan or REO Property by prudent mortgage lending institutions which service mortgage loans, defaulted mortgage loans and REO properties of the same type as such Mortgage Loan or REO Property in the jurisdiction where the related Mortgaged Property or REO Property is located, and in all cases without regard to:

 

1.     any relationship that the Servicer, any sub-servicer or any affiliate of the Servicer or any other sub-servicer may have with the related Mortgagor; or

 

2.     the ownership, or servicing or management for others, by the Servicer or any sub-servicer, of any other mortgage loans or property; provided, however, that such services are performed in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

 



 

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan ”:  A Mortgage Loan that provides for the adjustment of the Mortgage Interest Rate payable in respect thereto.

 

Adjustment Date ”:  With respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the date set forth in the related Mortgage Note on which the Mortgage Interest Rate on the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan will be adjusted in accordance with the terms of the related Mortgage Note.

 

Agreement ”:   This Servicing Agreement including all exhibits hereto, amendments hereof and supplements hereto.

 

Ancillary Income ”:  Income from the Mortgage Loans which the Servicer is legally entitled to collect (exclusive of the Servicing Fee), including, without limitation, late charges, prepayment penalties, reconveyance fees, insufficient fund fees, assumption fees, modification fees, HAMP servicer incentive fees (or similar servicer incentive fees under other government programs). fees associated with any repayment plan or forbearance agreement, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loss mitigation fees, fees associated with any payoff, interest on escrow accounts (but only to the extent that applicable laws or regulations or the Mortgage Loan Documents do not require that such interest be paid to the applicable Mortgagor under a Mortgage Loan), interest on the Custodial Account, and all other incidental fees with respect to the Mortgage Loans.

 

Annual Statement of Compliance ”:  Shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.06.

 

Annual Independent Certified Public Accountants’ Servicing Report ”:  Shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.05.

 

Applicable Regulations ”:  As to any Mortgage Loan, all federal, state and local laws, statutes, rules and regulations applicable thereto.

 

Appraised Value ”:  With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the value of the related Mortgaged Property based upon the appraisal made, if any, for the originator at the time of origination of the Mortgage Loan or the sales price of the Mortgaged Property at such time of origination, whichever is less; provided, however, that in the case of a Refinanced Mortgage Loan, such value is based solely upon the appraisal made, if any, at the time of origination of such Refinanced Mortgage Loan.

 

Assignment of Mortgage ”:  An individual assignment of the Mortgage, notice of transfer or equivalent instrument to give record notice of the sale of the Mortgage to the Owner, if required.

 

Boarding Fee ”:  For each Mortgage Loan, an amount equal set forth in the Fee Letter.

 

Business Day ”:  Any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking or savings and loan institutions in the State of Florida, the State of New York, or the state in which the servicing operations of the Servicer are located are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed.

 

Certifying Party ”:  Shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.06.

 

2



 

Code ”:  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commission ”:  The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Condemnation Proceeds ”:  All awards or settlements in respect of a taking of a Mortgaged Property or REO Property by exercise of the power of eminent domain or condemnation.

 

Current Loan ”:  A Mortgage Loan that is less than thirty (30) days past due as of the related Servicing Transfer Date.

 

Custodial Account ”:  The separate account or accounts created and maintained pursuant to Section 4.04.

 

Custodial Agreement ”:  With respect to any Mortgage Loan, the agreement governing the retention of the originals of the related Mortgage Note, Mortgage, Assignment of Mortgage and each other Mortgage Loan Document.

 

Custodian ”:   With respect to any Custodial Agreement, the custodian thereunder or its successor in interest or permitted assign, or any successor to the Custodian under the Custodial Agreement, as therein provided.

 

Cut-off Date ”:  With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the first day of the month in which the Servicing Transfer Date occurs or such other date as the parties mutually agree as set forth on the related Mortgage Loan Schedule.

 

Deboarding Fee ”:  The Deboarding Fee shall be an amount equal to per Mortgage Loan or REO Property shall be an amount set forth in the Fee Letter.

 

Delinquent Loan ”:  A Mortgage Loan that is thirty (30) days or more delinquent as of the related Servicing Transfer Date.

 

Depositor ”:   With respect to any Securitization Transaction, the Person identified in writing to the Servicer by the Owner as depositor for such Securitization Transaction.

 

Determination Date ”:  The last day of each calendar month preceding a Remittance Date.

 

Due Date ”:  The day of the month on which each Monthly Payment is due on a Mortgage Loan, exclusive of any days of grace.

 

Eligible Account ”:  Either (a) a segregated account or accounts maintained with an institution whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, the unsecured and uncollateralized short term debt obligations of which (or, in the case of a depository institution or trust company that is the principal subsidiary of a holding company, the short-term unsecured obligations of such holding company) institution shall be rated “A-1” or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group and “P-1” or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or (b) a segregated trust account or accounts maintained with the trust department of a federal or state chartered depository institution, having

 

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capital and surplus of not less than $100,000,000, acting in its fiduciary capacity.  Eligible Accounts may bear interest.

 

Environmental Problem Property ”:  A Mortgaged Property or REO Property that is in violation of any environmental law, rule or regulation.

 

Environmental Liability ”:  Any and all claims, losses, damages liabilities, judgments, penalties, fines, forfeitures, reasonable legal fees and expenses, and any and all related costs and/or expenses of litigation, administrative and/or regulatory agency proceedings, and any other costs, fees and expenses, suffered or incurred by the Servicer arising out of or resulting from the introduction of such materials on any Mortgaged Property or REO Property before and/or after the date hereof, including, without limitation, (i) any liability under or on account of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq., as the same may be amended from time to time, and/or any other federal or state environmental laws, and specifically including, without limitation, any liability relating to asbestos and asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, petroleum and petroleum products, urea formaldehyde and any substances classified as being “in inventory,” “usable work in process” or similar classification that would, if classified as unusable, be included in the foregoing definition, including the assertion of any lien thereunder, (ii) claims brought by third parties for loss or damage incurred or sustained subsequent to the date hereof, and (iii) liability with respect to any other matter affecting a Mortgaged Property or REO Property within the jurisdiction of the federal Environmental Protection Agency or state environmental regulatory agencies pursuant to any state laws, and in the regulations adopted pursuant to any of said laws.

 

Escrow Account ”:  The separate trust account or accounts created and maintained pursuant to Section 4.06.

 

Escrow Payments ”:  The amounts constituting ground rents, taxes, assessments, water charges, mortgage insurance premiums, fire and hazard insurance premiums and other payments required to be escrowed by a Mortgagor with a Mortgagee pursuant to the terms of any Mortgage Loan.

 

Event of Default ”:  Any one of the conditions or circumstances enumerated in Section 8.01.

 

Exchange Act ”:  The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fannie Mae ”:  Fannie Mae, or any successor organization.

 

FDIC ”:   The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any successor organization.

 

Fee Letter ”:  The fee letter between the Servicer and the Owner as of the date hereof, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

Fidelity Bond ”:  A fidelity bond to be maintained by the Servicer pursuant to Section 4.13.

 

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First Mortgage Loan ”:  A Mortgage Loan that is secured by a first lien on the Mortgaged Property.

 

Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan ”:  A Mortgage Loan wherein the Mortgage Interest Rate set forth in the Mortgage Note is fixed for the term of such Mortgage Loan.

 

Freddie Mac ”:  Freddie Mac, or any successor organization.

 

HAMP ”:  The Home Affordability Modification Program implemented by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

 

HUD ”:   The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, or any successor thereto.

 

Initial Term ”: As defined in Section 9.01.

 

Investment Account ”: As defined in Section 4.16.

 

Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy ” or “ LPMI Policy ”:  A policy of mortgage guaranty insurance issued by a Mortgage Insurer in which the Owner or the Servicer of the Mortgage Loan is responsible for the premiums associated with such mortgage insurance policy.

 

LPMI Policy Proceeds ”:  Proceeds of any Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy.

 

Liquidation Proceeds ”:  Amounts, other than Primary Insurance Proceeds, LPMI Policy Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds and Other Insurance Proceeds, received by the Servicer in connection with the liquidation of a defaulted Mortgage Loan through trustee’s sale, foreclosure sale, sale of the Mortgaged Property or otherwise, other than amounts received following the acquisition of an REO Property pursuant to Section 4.14.

 

Loan-to-Value Ratio ”:  With respect to any First Mortgage Loan, the original principal balance of such Mortgage Loan divided by the Appraised Value of the related Mortgaged Property.

 

Master Servicer ”:  With respect to any Securitization Transaction, the “master servicer,” if any, specified by the Owner and identified in the related transaction documents.

 

MERS ”:  Mortgage Electronic Registration System, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any successor thereto.

 

MERS Designated Mortgage Loan ”:  A Mortgage Loan for which (a) the Servicer has designated or will designate MERS as, and has taken or will take such action as is necessary to cause MERS to be, the mortgagee of record, as nominee for the Owner, in accordance with MERS Procedure Manual and (b) the Servicer has designated or will designate the Owner as the Investor on the MERS System.

 

MERS Procedures Manual ”:  The MERS Procedures Manual, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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MERS System ”:  MERS mortgage electronic registry system, as more particularly described in the MERS Procedures Manual.

 

Monthly Payment ”:  The scheduled monthly payment of principal and interest on a Mortgage Loan which is payable by a Mortgagor under the related Mortgage Note as modified pursuant to any forbearance plan or bankruptcy plan agreement.

 

Monthly Report ”:  A monthly report substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

 

Mortgage ”:   The mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument creating a first or second lien on Mortgaged Property securing the Mortgage Note.

 

Mortgage Impairment Insurance Policy ”:  A mortgage impairment or blanket hazard insurance policy as described in Section 4.11.

 

Mortgage Insurer ”:  Any issuer of private mortgage insurance.

 

Mortgage Interest Rate ”:  With respect to each Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan, the fixed annual rate of interest provided for in the related Mortgage Note and, with respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the annual rate that interest accrues on such Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the related Mortgage Note, which rate, as of the Cut-off Date, shall be the rate set forth in the related Mortgage Loan Schedule as the Mortgage Interest Rate.

 

Mortgage Loan ”:  An individual mortgage loan subject to the terms of this Agreement and identified on the Mortgage Loan Schedule attached hereto as of the date hereof and all additional mortgage loans subjected to this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.01, but excluding any individual mortgage loans withdrawn from the loans being serviced hereunder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

Mortgage Loan Documents ”:  With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the documents delivered to the related Custodian pursuant to the related Custodial Agreement.

 

Mortgage Loan Schedule ”:  The list of Mortgage Loans subject to this Agreement and identified on the schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A as of the date of this Agreement, as amended or supplemented from time to time to reflect the delivery of additional Mortgage Loans hereunder pursuant to Section 2.01 or the withdrawal of Mortgage Loans pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  Such Mortgage Loan Schedule shall, among other things, identify whether any Mortgage Loan is covered under a PMI or LPMI Policy.

 

Mortgage Note ”:  The note or other evidence of the indebtedness of a Mortgagor secured by a Mortgage.

 

Mortgaged Property ”:  A fee simple interest in, or a leasehold estate with respect to, real properties located in jurisdictions in which the use of leasehold estates for residential properties is a widely accepted practice, the real property (including all improvements, buildings, fixtures, building equipment and personal property thereon and all additions, alterations and replacements

 

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made at any time with respect to the foregoing) and all other collateral securing repayment of the debt evidenced by a Mortgage Note.

 

Mortgage Servicing File ”:  The documents pertaining to each Mortgage Loan referred to on Exhibit D attached hereto, to the extent available, which are delivered to the Servicer in connection with the servicing of the Mortgage Loans, as well as any documents and information accumulated by Servicer in its role as servicer.

 

Mortgagee ”:  The mortgagee or beneficiary named in the related Mortgage and the successors and assigns of such mortgagee or beneficiary.

 

Mortgagor ”:  The obligor on a Mortgage Note, the owner of the Mortgaged Property and the grantor or mortgagor named in the related Mortgage and such grantor’s or mortgagor’s successors in title to the Mortgaged Property.

 

Net Investment Earnings ”:  With respect to any Custodial Account or Escrow Account, for any period from any Remittance Date to the immediately succeeding Remittance Date, the amount, if any, by which the aggregate of all interest and other income realized during such period on funds held in such account, exceeds the aggregate of all losses, if any, incurred during such period in connection with the investment of such funds in accordance with Section 4.16.  Such losses shall include, and the Servicer shall be responsible for, any shortfalls in any Custodial Account or Escrow Account caused by a late payment on a Permitted Investment.

 

Net Investment Loss ”:  With respect to any Custodial Account or Escrow Account, for any period from any Remittance Date to the immediately succeeding Remittance Date, the amount by which the aggregate of all losses, if any, incurred during such period in connection with the investment of funds held in such account in accordance with Section 4.16, exceeds the aggregate of all interest and other income realized during such period on such funds.  Such losses shall include, and the Servicer shall be responsible for, any shortfalls in any Custodial Account or Escrow Account caused by a late payment on a Permitted Investment.

 

Nonrecoverable Servicing Advance ”:  Any Servicing Advance previously made or proposed to be made in respect of a Mortgage Loan or REO Property that, in the reasonable business judgment of the Servicer, will not, or, in the case of a proposed Servicing Advance, would not be, ultimately recoverable from related late payments, Other Insurance Proceeds, Primary Insurance Proceeds, LPMI Policy Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds on such Mortgage Loan or REO Property as provided herein.

 

Officers’ Certificate ”:  A certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President or an Assistant Vice President of the Servicer and delivered to the Owner as required by this Agreement.  On or prior to the date hereof, the Servicer shall deliver to the Owner an incumbency certificate with respect to all such authorized signatories.

 

Other Insurance Proceeds ”:  Proceeds of any title policy, hazard policy or other insurance policy covering a Mortgage Loan, other than the Primary Insurance Proceeds or LPMI Policy Proceeds, if any, to the extent such proceeds are not to be applied to the restoration of the related Mortgaged Property or released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the procedures that the Servicer would follow in servicing mortgage loans held for its own account.

 

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Owner ”:  Altisource Residential, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and its successors in interest, and any Person who assumes the obligations of the Owner hereunder with respect to one or more Mortgage Loans.

 

Party ”:  Each of the Owner and the Servicer.

 

Permitted Investments ”:  Any one or more of the following obligations or securities having the required ratings, if any, provided for in this definition and which provides for a date of maturity as set forth in Section 4.16:

 

(i)            direct obligations of, or obligations fully guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, provided such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States;

 

(ii)           demand and time deposits in, certificates of deposit of, bankers’ acceptances issued by or federal funds sold by any depository institution or trust company (including the Trustee or its agent acting in their respective commercial capacities) incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof and subject to supervision and examination by federal and/or state authorities, so long as, at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment, such depository institution or trust company (or, if the only Rating Agency is S&P, in the case of the principal depository institution in a depository institution holding company, debt obligations of the depository institution holding company) or its ultimate parent has a short-term uninsured debt rating in the highest available rating category of Moody’s and S&P and provided that each such investment has an original maturity of no more than 365 days; and provided further that, if the only Rating Agency is S&P and if the depository or trust company is a principal subsidiary of a bank holding company and the debt obligations of such subsidiary are not separately rated, the applicable rating shall be that of the bank holding company; and, provided further that, if the original maturity of such short-term obligations of a domestic branch of a foreign depository institution or trust company shall exceed 30 days, the short-term rating of such institution shall be A-1+ in the case of S&P if S&P is the Rating Agency; and (B) any other demand or time deposit or deposit which is fully insured by the FDIC;

 

(iii)          repurchase obligations with a term not to exceed 30 days with respect to any security described in clause (i) above and entered into with a depository institution or trust company (acting as principal) rated A-1+ or higher by S&P and A2 or higher by Moody’s; provided, however, that collateral transferred pursuant to such repurchase obligation must be of the type described in clause (i) above and must (A) be valued daily at current market prices plus accrued interest, (B) pursuant to such valuation, be equal, at all times, to 105% of the cash transferred in exchange for such collateral and (C) be delivered in such a manner as to accomplish perfection of a security interest in the collateral by possession of certificated securities;

 

(iv)          securities bearing interest or sold at a discount that are issued by any corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof and that are rated by each Rating Agency that rates such securities in its highest

 

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long-term unsecured rating categories at the time of such investment or contractual commitment providing for such investment;

 

(v)           commercial paper (including both non-interest-bearing discount obligations and interest-bearing obligations payable on demand or on a specified date not more than 30 days after the date of acquisition thereof) that is rated by each Rating Agency that rates such securities in its highest short-term unsecured debt rating available at the time of such investment;

 

(vi)          units of money market funds that are rated in the highest rating category by S&P or Moody’s; and

 

(vii)         if previously confirmed in writing to the Trustee, any other demand, money market or time deposit, or any other obligation, security or investment, as may be acceptable to the Rating Agencies as a permitted investment of funds backing securities rated in the highest rating category of such Rating Agencies;

 

provided , however , that in each case (a) if the investment is rated by S&P, it shall not have an “r” highlighter affixed to its rating, (b) it shall have a predetermined fixed dollar of principal due at maturity that cannot vary or change and (c) any such investment that provides for a variable rate of interest must have an interest rate that is tied to a single interest rate index plus a fixed spread, if any, and move proportionately with such index; and provided , further , however , that no such instrument shall be a Permitted Investment (a) if both principal and interest payments derived from obligations underlying such instrument and the principal and interest payments with respect to such instrument provide a yield to maturity at the time of acquisition of greater than 120% of the yield to maturity at par of such underlying obligations or (b) if such instrument may be redeemed at a price below the purchase price.  Permitted Investments that are subject to prepayment or call may not be purchased at a price in excess of par.

 

Person ”:  Any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, limited partnership, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Primary Insurance Policy ”:  Each policy of primary guaranty of mortgage insurance issued by a Qualified Insurer in effect with respect to any Mortgage Loan, or any replacement policy therefor obtained by the Servicer pursuant to Section 4.08.

 

Primary Insurance Proceeds ”:  Proceeds of any Primary Insurance Policy.

 

Prime Rate ”:  The prime rate announced to be in effect from time to time, as published as the average rate in The Wall Street Journal.

 

Principal Prepayment ”:  Any payment or other recovery of principal on a Mortgage Loan which is received in advance of its scheduled Due Date, which is not accompanied by an amount of interest representing scheduled interest due on any date or dates in any month or months subsequent to the month of prepayment and which reduces the Unpaid Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loans.

 

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Qualified Insurer ”:  Any insurance company acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

 

Rating Agency ”:  Any one of Fitch, Inc., Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or S&P.

 

Reconstitution ”:  The actions required by Section 10.13 in connection with any Securitization Transaction or Whole Loan Transfer.

 

Reconstitution Agreement ”:  The agreement or agreements entered into by the Servicer and the Owner and/or certain third parties on the Reconstitution Date or Dates with respect to any or all of the Mortgage Loans serviced hereunder, in connection with a Whole Loan Transfer or a Securitization Transaction as provided in Section 10.13.

 

Reconstitution Date ”:  The date or dates on which any or all of the Mortgage Loans subject to this Agreement shall be removed from this Agreement and reconstituted as part of a Whole Loan Transfer or Securitization Transaction pursuant to Section 10.13.

 

Refinanced Mortgage Loan ”:   A Mortgage Loan which was made to a Mortgagor who owned the Mortgaged Property prior to the origination of such Mortgage Loan.

 

Regulation AB ”:  Means Subpart 229.1100 - Asset Backed Securities (Regulation AB), 17 C.F.R. §§229.1100-229.1123, as such may be amended from time to time, and subject to such clarification and interpretation as have been provided by the Securities Exchange Commission in the adopting release (Asset-Backed Securities, Securities Act Release No. 33-8518, 70 Fed. Reg. 1,506, 1,531 (Jan. 7, 2005)) or by the staff of the Securities Exchange Commission, or as may be provided by the Securities Exchange Commission or its staff from time to time.

 

REMIC ”:  A “real estate mortgage investment conduit” within the meaning of Section 860D of the Code.

 

REMIC Provisions ”:  Provisions of the federal income tax law relating to REMICs, which appear in Sections 860A through 860G of the Code, and related provisions, and proposed, temporary and final regulations and published rulings, notices and announcements promulgated thereunder, as the foregoing may be in effect from time to time.

 

Remittance Date ”:  The [             ] (  ) Business Day of each month.

 

Renewal Term ”: As defined in Section 9.01.

 

REO Disposition ”:  The final sale by the Servicer of any REO Property.

 

REO Property ”:  (a) as of any Determination Date for the purpose of calculating the relevant Servicing Fee, and (b) as of the actual date of acquisition of title for all other purposes:  any Mortgaged Property that was subject to a Mortgage Loan, after the Mortgaged Property has been acquired on behalf of the Owner pursuant to this Agreement through foreclosure or similar proceedings, acceptance of deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, acquisition of title in lieu of foreclosure or the acquisition of title by operation of law.

 

Reporting Date ”:  The tenth (10 th ) Business Day of each month.

 

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Requirements ”:  All federal, state or local laws, rules and regulations and any other requirements of any government or agency or instrumentality thereof applicable to the servicing of the Mortgage Loans, the management of the REO Properties or the provision of services hereunder by the Servicer.

 

S&P ”:  Standard and Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

Securities Act ”:  The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Securitization Transaction ”:  Any transaction involving either (1) a sale or other transfer of some or all of the Mortgage Loans directly or indirectly by the Servicer to an issuing entity in connection with an issuance of publicly offered or privately placed, rated or unrated mortgage-backed securities or (2) an issuance of publicly offered or privately placed, rated or unrated securities, the payments on which are determined primarily by reference to one or more portfolios of residential mortgage loans consisting, in whole or in part, of some or all of the Mortgage Loans.

 

Servicer ”:  Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors in interest, and any successor servicer under this Agreement appointed as herein provided.

 

Servicer Information ”:  As defined in Section 11.07(a).

 

Servicing Advances ”:  All customary, reasonable and necessary “out of pocket” costs and expenses incurred by the Servicer in the performance of its servicing obligations, including, but not limited to, the cost of (i) the preservation, restoration and protection of the Mortgaged Property and the REO Property, (ii) any enforcement or judicial proceedings, including foreclosures, (iii) the management and liquidation of any REO Property, (iv) performance of the obligations under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 4.03, 4.08 and, only to the extent related to the costs associated with recording instruments of satisfaction, 6.02, (v) any amounts associated with third party credit counseling for a Mortgagor and (vi) any amounts required to be reimbursed to a Mortgagor upon a Principal Prepayment on a related Mortgage Loan for prepaid points, finance charges, fees and any other amounts pursuant to applicable law.  Servicing Advances also include any reasonable “out-of-pocket” costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by the Servicer in connection with executing and recording instruments of satisfaction, deeds of reconveyance or Assignments of Mortgage in connection with any satisfaction or foreclosures in respect of any Mortgage Loan to the extent not recovered from the Mortgagor or otherwise payable under this Agreement and obtaining or correcting any legal documentation required to be included in the Mortgage Files and necessary for the Servicer to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including correcting any outstanding title issues ( i.e. , any lien or encumbrance on the Mortgaged Property that prevents the effective enforcement of the intended lien position).  The Servicer shall not be required to make any Nonrecoverable Servicing Advances.

 

Servicing Criteria ”:  The “servicing criteria” set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB for which the Servicer or a Subservicer, as applicable, is responsible in its capacity as servicer as identified on a certification substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto, provided that such certification may be amended from time to time to reflect changes in Regulation AB.

 

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Servicing Fee ”:  With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the fee payable to the Servicer as set forth in the Fee Letter.

 

Servicing Officer ”:  Any officer of the Servicer involved in, or responsible for, the administration and servicing of the Mortgage Loans whose name appears on a list of servicing officers furnished by the Servicer to the Owner as of the date hereof, as such list may from time to time be amended.

 

Servicing Transfer Date ”:  With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the date on which the Owner transfers the servicing of such Mortgage Loan to the Servicer or, to the extent servicing of such Mortgage Loan was previously transferred by the prior servicer to the Servicer prior to the Owner becoming owner of such Mortgage Loan, the Servicing Transfer Date shall be deemed to be the date that the Servicer and the Owner agree shall be the date that such Mortgage Loan becomes subject to this Agreement.

 

Servicing Transfer Procedures ”:  The provisions set forth in Exhibit H attached hereto.

 

Sponsor ”:  With respect to any Securitization Transaction, the Person identified in writing to the Servicer by the Owner as sponsor for such Securitization Transaction.

 

Subcontractor ”:  Any vendor, subcontractor or other Person that is not responsible for the overall servicing (as “servicing” is commonly understood by participants in the mortgage-backed securities market) of Mortgage Loans but performs one or more discrete functions identified in Item l122(d) of Regulation AB with respect to Mortgage Loans under the direction or authority of the Servicer or a Subservicer.

 

Subservicer :  Any Person that services Mortgage Loans on behalf of the Servicer or any Subservicer and is responsible for the performance (whether directly or through Subservicers or Subcontractors) of a substantial portion of the material servicing functions identified in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB that are required to be performed by the Servicer under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement.

 

Transfer Date ”:  With respect to each Mortgage Loan or REO Property, the date designated by the Owner in a writing delivered to the Servicer, which date shall not be earlier than thirty (30) days after the Servicer’s receipt of such written notice, on which the Servicer transfers the servicing responsibilities of such Mortgage Loan or REO Property to the Owner or its designee.

 

Unpaid Principal Balance ”:  As to each Mortgage Loan on any date of determination, the unpaid principal balance of the Mortgage Loan.

 

Whole Loan Transfer ”:  Any sale or transfer of some or all of the Mortgage Loans by the Owner to a third party, which sale or transfer is not a Securitization Transaction.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

RECORD TITLE AND POSSESSION OF MORTGAGE SERVICING FILES:  BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

Section 2.01.                           Servicing Transfer; Record Title and Possession of Mortgage Servicing Files .  The Owner shall notify the Servicer not less than fifteen (15) days prior to any proposed Servicing Transfer Date that it desires to have the Servicer service the related mortgage loans pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and shall forward to the Servicer with such notice by computer readable electronic transmission, a schedule of such mortgage loans and data tapes with respect to such loans, containing the information specified in Exhibit J .  In the event that the Servicer elects not to service such mortgage loans pursuant to the terms hereof, the Servicer shall advise the Owner in writing of such election within two (2) Business Days of receipt of such schedule and data tapes.  Otherwise, each such mortgage loan shall constitute a “Mortgage Loan” hereunder and shall be subject to this Agreement as of the related Servicing Transfer Date.  On each Servicing Transfer Date, the Owner shall pay to the Servicer, in immediately available funds wired to an account designed by the Owner, the Boarding Fee attributable to each Mortgage Loan transferred to the Servicer on such Servicing Transfer Date.  The Servicer reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse to service any Mortgage Loan determined to be a “predatory loan” under any applicable state, federal or local law.

 

With respect to each Mortgage Loan to be serviced hereunder, the Owner shall cause the prior servicer to comply with the Servicing Transfer Procedures and shall cause the prior servicer to deliver to the Servicer the Mortgage Servicing File for each related Mortgage Loan and, by computer readable electronic transmission, the related Mortgage Loan Schedule not later than five (5) Business Days after the Servicing Transfer Date.  Any fees and expenses incurred in transferring the Mortgage Servicing File to the Servicer shall be the obligation of the Owner.  In the event that the Mortgage Servicing File fails to contain all of those items set forth in Exhibit D hereof on the date on which the Mortgage Servicing File is required to be delivered to the Servicer which are necessary to service the related Mortgage Loans, the Servicer shall notify the Owner, and the Owner shall use reasonable efforts, at the Owner’s sole expense, to cause to be delivered promptly to the Servicer any necessary missing documents therefrom, or, upon the request of the Owner and at the Owner’s sole expense, the Servicer may, for a fee acceptable to the Owner, undertake to obtain any missing documents therefrom.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or otherwise, the Servicer shall have no liability for any breach of this Agreement resulting, directly or indirectly, from the Owner’s failure to deliver to the Servicer, or the Servicer’s failure to receive, the complete Mortgage Servicing File for each Mortgage Loan, including but not limited to those items listed on Exhibit D , to the extent that any such documents are required to service the Mortgage Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement and the Servicer has provided the Owner with notice of any such missing documents.  In the event the Servicer notifies the Owner that it is reasonably necessary to correct or cure any title or document defects prior to or following a Reconstitution with respect to a Mortgage Loan, in order for the Servicer to properly service such Mortgage Loan in accordance with this Agreement, the Owner shall either (i) cause, at its expense, a third party vendor to correct or cure such defects or (ii) direct the Servicer to do so and shall reimburse the Servicer for its reasonable costs incurred in connection with such

 

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correction or cure within thirty (30) Business Days following the receipt of an invoice from the Servicer evidencing such cost.

 

With respect to each Mortgage Loan to be serviced hereunder, the Owner will use reasonable efforts to cause all funds, if any, in any escrow or custodial account kept by the prior servicer to be transferred to the Servicer not later than the Business Day following the Servicing Transfer Date.  In the event that such funds are not delivered to the Servicer within one (1) Business Day following the Servicing Transfer Date, the Servicer will notify the Owner, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or otherwise, the Servicer shall have no liability for any breach of this Agreement resulting, directly or indirectly, from the Owner’s failure to deliver to the Servicer by such date all of such funds with respect to each Mortgage Loan.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, this paragraph shall not be applicable with respect to any Mortgage Loans to the extent servicing of such Mortgage Loans was previously transferred by the prior servicer to the Servicer prior to the Owner becoming owner of such Mortgage Loans.

 

Record title to the Mortgage Loans shall be retained by the Owner, and possession of any Mortgage Servicing Files delivered to the Servicer shall be held in trust for the Owner as the owner thereof, for the sole purpose of servicing the Mortgage Loans.  The ownership of each Mortgage Loan, including the Mortgage Note, the Mortgage, the Mortgage Loan Documents, the contents of the related Mortgage Servicing File and all rights, benefits, proceeds and obligations arising therefrom or in connection therewith, is vested in the Owner.  All rights arising out of the Mortgage Loans including, but not limited to, all funds received on or in connection with the Mortgage Loans and all records or documents with respect to the Mortgage Loans prepared by or which come into the possession of the Servicer shall be received and held by the Servicer in trust for the benefit of the Owner as the owner of the Mortgage Loans.  Any portion of the Mortgage Servicing Files held by the Servicer shall be segregated from the other books and records of the Servicer and shall be appropriately marked to clearly reflect the ownership of the Mortgage Loans by the Owner.  The Servicer shall release its custody of the contents of the Mortgage Servicing Files only in accordance with written instructions of the Owner, except when such release is required as incidental to the Servicer’s servicing of the Mortgage Loans.  Except as provided herein, the original Mortgage Loan Documents for each Mortgage Loan shall be retained by the Custodian pursuant to the Custodial Agreement.  Any fees and expenses of the Custodian shall not be payable by the Servicer.

 

Section 2.02.                           Books and Records .  The Servicer shall be responsible for maintaining, and shall maintain, a complete set of books and records for the Mortgage Loans which shall be clearly marked to reflect the ownership of the Mortgage Loans by the Owner.

 

The Owner and its agents may, from time to time and at the Owner’s cost and expense, upon reasonable prior notice, inspect any of the Servicer’s books and records pertaining to this Agreement, including without limitation all Mortgage Servicing Files, at reasonable times during the Servicer’s normal business hours at the Servicer’s offices.

 

Section 2.03.                           Transfer of Mortgage Loans .  The Owner shall have the right, without the consent of the Servicer, to assign its interest under this Agreement with respect to the Mortgage Loans, and designate any Person to exercise any rights of the Owner hereunder, and the assignee

 

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or designee shall accede to the rights and obligations hereunder of the Owner with respect to such Mortgage Loans; provided, however, that, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties hereto, there shall be no more than two (2) separate Owners with respect to the Mortgage Loans (not included in a Reconstitution) subject to this Agreement at any one time without the consent of the Servicer.  All references to the Owner shall be deemed to include its assignee or designee. The Servicer shall not be responsible for the preparation or recording of mortgage assignments or financing statement amendments in connection with such assignments; provided, however, that in the event the Servicer agrees to record any mortgage assignment or financing statement, any expense, including the fees of third party service providers, incurred by the Servicer in connection with the recordation of mortgage assignments shall be reimbursable as a Servicing Advance. In cases where the prior servicer or owner prepared all or any part of the assignment, the Servicer shall not be liable for, and shall be indemnified by the Owner against, any losses, costs, penalties and damages incurred as a result of incorrect or incomplete, or untimely submission of, assignments and applicable recording information provided by the prior servicer or the Owner.

 

The Servicer shall keep at its servicing office books and records in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Servicer may prescribe, the Servicer shall note transfers of Mortgage Loans.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the Servicer shall be under no obligation to deal with any Person with respect to this Agreement or the Mortgage Loans except for the Owner unless the Owner provides prior written notice to the Servicer of a sale of one or more Mortgage Loans to such Person and the assumption by such Person of the obligations of the Owner hereunder with respect to such Mortgage Loan(s).  Upon receipt of such written notice, the Servicer shall mark its books and records to reflect the ownership of such Mortgage Loan(s) by such assignee, and the previous Owner shall be released from its obligations hereunder attributable to the period after such assignment to the extent such obligations relate to such Mortgage Loan(s) sold by the Owner.  The Owner shall be responsible for all costs incurred by the Servicer in transferring the Mortgage Loans to such assignee.

 

Section 2.04.                           Tax Service Contracts .  In the event that a Mortgage Loan is not subject to a fully assignable life of loan tax service contract issued by a tax service contract provider listed on Exhibit G attached hereto which is assignable to the Servicer or any subsequent Servicer without the payment of any cost or fee, the Servicer shall acquire a tax service contract for any such Mortgage Loan at a cost set forth in the Fee Letter.  The Servicer shall deliver an invoice on a monthly basis to the Owner with respect to the costs of acquiring any tax service contracts and shall deduct the cost of such tax service contracts from amounts deposited in the Custodial Account.

 

ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS

 

Section 3.01.                           Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Servicer.   The Servicer represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Owner as of the date hereof and as of each Servicing Transfer Date that:

 

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(a)                                  The Servicer (i) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization (ii) has all licenses necessary to carry on its business as now being conducted, except for such licenses, the absence of which individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Servicer to conduct its business as it is presently conducted, (iii) is licensed, qualified and in good standing under the laws of each state where a Mortgaged Property or REO Property is located if the laws of such state require licensing or qualification in order to conduct business of the type conducted by the Servicer and (iv) is in compliance with the laws of any such state to the extent necessary to permit the servicing of the Mortgage Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Servicer has the full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to enter into and consummate all transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  The Servicer has duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, has duly executed and delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Owner, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Servicer, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy and insolvency laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

 

(c)                                   The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Servicer, the servicing of the Mortgage Loans by the Servicer hereunder, the consummation of any other of the transactions contemplated hereunder, and the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms hereof are in the ordinary course of business of the Servicer, and will not (i) result in a breach of any term or provision of the organizational documents of the Servicer or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach, violate, or result in a default under or acceleration of, the terms of any material agreement, indenture or loan or credit agreement or other material instrument to which the Servicer is a party or by which it may be bound, or (iii) constitute a violation of any statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Servicer of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Servicer.

 

(d)                                  The Servicer is an approved seller/servicer of mortgage loans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and has the facilities, procedures and experienced personnel necessary for the sound servicing of mortgage loans of the same type as the Mortgage Loans.  The Servicer is a HUD-approved servicer of mortgage loans.  No event has occurred, including but not limited to a change in insurance coverage, which would make the Servicer unable to comply with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or HUD eligibility requirements.

 

(e)                                   The Servicer does not believe, nor does it have any reason or cause to believe, that it cannot perform each and every covenant applicable to it and contained in this Agreement.

 

(f)                                    There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to its best knowledge, threatened against the Servicer that, either individually or in the aggregate, may result in any material adverse change in the business, operations, financial condition, properties or assets of the Servicer, or in any material impairment of the right or ability of the Servicer to carry on its business substantially as now conducted or in any material liability on the part of the Servicer, or that would draw into question the validity of this Agreement or of any action taken

 

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or to be taken in connection with the obligations of the Servicer contemplated herein, or that would be likely to impair materially the ability of the Servicer to perform under the terms of this Agreement.

 

(g)                                   No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Servicer of or compliance by the Servicer with this Agreement or the servicing of the Mortgage Loans as evidenced by the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or if required, such approval has been obtained prior to the related Servicing Transfer Date.

 

(h)                                  The Servicer is in good standing, and will comply in all material respects with the rules and procedures of MERS in connection with the servicing of the MERS Designated Mortgage Loans.

 

Section 3.02.                           Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Owner .  The Owner represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Servicer as of the date hereof and as of each Servicing Transfer Date that:

 

(a)                                  The Owner is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is in good standing under the laws of each state where required in order to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(b)                                  The Owner has the full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to enter into and consummate all transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  The Owner has duly authorized the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, has duly executed and delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Servicer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Owner, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy and insolvency laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or law).

 

(c)                                   The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Owner, the consummation of any other transactions contemplated hereunder, and the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms hereof are in the ordinary course of business of the Owner and will not (i) result in a breach of any term or provision of the organizational documents of the Owner or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach, violate, or result in a default under or acceleration of, the terms of any agreement, indenture or loan or credit agreement or other material instrument to which the Owner is a party or by which it is bound, or (iii) constitute a material violation of any statute, rule or regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Owner of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Owner.

 

(d)                                  There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to its best knowledge, threatened against the Owner that, either individually or in the aggregate, would draw into question the validity of this Agreement or that would impair materially the ability of the Owner to perform under the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(e)                                   With respect to each Mortgage Loan,

 

(i)                                      the Owner is the owner of all the right, title and interest in and to the Mortgage Loan and the servicing rights attributable to such Mortgage Loan free and clear of any claims or encumbrances;

 

(ii)                                   each Mortgage Loan has been originated and serviced in material compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and the terms of the Mortgage Loans and all related Mortgage Loan Documents;

 

(iii)                                none of the Mortgage Loans is (A) a “high cost” loan under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 or (B) a “high cost”, “threshold” or “predatory” loan under any applicable state, federal or local law;

 

(iv)                               the information set forth on each Mortgage Loan Schedule or data tapes, and on any updates thereof or other document, instrument or schedule furnished to the Servicer by the Owner pursuant to, or prior to and in connection with, this Agreement is accurate and complete in all material respects;

 

(v)                                  all documents required hereby or by Applicable Regulations to be in the custodial file maintained by the Custodian are contained therein; and

 

(vi)                               each Mortgage Loan has been funded in the amount set forth in the Mortgage Note.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS

 

Section 4.01.                           Servicer to Act as the Servicer .  The Servicer, as independent contract servicer, shall service and administer the Mortgage Loans on an actual/actual basis in accordance with this Agreement, the terms of the applicable Mortgage Loan Documents and Acceptable Servicing Practices, and shall have full power and authority, acting alone, to do or cause to be done any and all things in connection with such servicing and administration which the Servicer may deem necessary or desirable and consistent with the terms of this Agreement.  The Servicer may perform its servicing responsibilities through agents or independent contractors, but shall not thereby be released from any of its responsibilities hereunder, and the Servicer shall diligently pursue all of its rights against such agents or independent contractors.

 

Consistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Servicer may waive, modify or vary any term of any Mortgage Loan or consent to the postponement of strict compliance with any such term or in any manner grant indulgence to any Mortgagor if in the Servicer’s reasonable and prudent determination such waiver, modification, postponement or indulgence is not materially adverse to the Owner; provided, however, that the Servicer shall not, unless the Mortgage Loan is in default or, in the sole judgment of the Servicer, such default is reasonably foreseeable, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Owner, permit any modification with respect to any Mortgage Loan that would change the Mortgage Interest Rate, forgive the payment thereof of any principal or interest payments, reduce the outstanding principal amount (except for

 

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actual payments of principal), extend the final maturity date with respect to such Mortgage Loan or any other act that could reasonably be expected to affect adversely the Owner’s interest in the Mortgage Note, Mortgage Loan, Mortgage, Mortgaged Property, Mortgage Loan Documents or Mortgage Servicing File related to a Mortgage Loan.  The Servicer shall take such actions as it shall deem to be in the best interest of the Owner and which are consistent with Accepted Servicing Practices, the terms of this Agreement and all applicable laws and regulations.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Servicer shall continue, and is hereby authorized and empowered to execute and deliver on behalf of itself, and the Owner, all instruments of satisfaction or cancellation, or of partial or full release, discharge and all other comparable instruments, with respect to the Mortgage Loans and with respect to the Mortgaged Properties.  The Servicer shall make all required Servicing Advances and shall service and administer the Mortgage Loans in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices, Applicable Regulations, the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Mortgage Loan Documents and shall provide to the Mortgagor any reports required to be provided to it thereby.  If reasonably required by the Servicer, the Owner shall furnish the Servicer with any powers of attorney in a form attached hereto as Exhibit F and other documents necessary or appropriate to enable the Servicer to carry out its servicing and administrative duties under this Agreement.

 

In servicing and administering the Mortgage Loans, the Servicer shall employ collection procedures consistent with Acceptable Servicing Practices and Applicable Regulations.  The Servicer shall have an internal quality control program that generally satisfies Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and HUD requirements.

 

The Servicer shall not consent to the placement of any additional lien on the Mortgaged Property or any REO Property without notifying and obtaining the written consent of the Owner.  The Servicer shall not consent to the placement of a lien on the Mortgaged Property or any REO Property senior to that of the related Mortgage.

 

Section 4.02.                           Collection of Mortgage Loan Payments .  Continuously from the related Servicing Transfer Date until the principal and interest on the related Mortgage Loan are paid in full or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.02 hereof, the Servicer will diligently collect all payments due under each Mortgage Loan when the same shall become due and payable and shall, to the extent such procedures shall be consistent with this Agreement, act in accordance with the terms and provisions of any related Primary Insurance Policy, LPMI Policy, Acceptable Servicing Practices and Applicable Regulations.  Further, with respect to each Mortgage Loan which provides for Escrow Payments to be made, in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices and Applicable Regulations, the Servicer will use commercially reasonable efforts to ascertain and estimate annual ground rents, taxes, assessments, water rates, fire and hazard insurance premiums, mortgage insurance premiums, and all other charges that, as provided in the Mortgage, will become due and payable such that the installments payable by the Mortgagor will be sufficient to pay such charges as and when they become due and payable.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Servicer shall have no obligation to collect, or make payments to the Owner with respect to, any prepayment penalties, late charges, fees or other items which are prohibited under applicable law.

 

Section 4.03.                           Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage Loans .  In the event that any payment due under any Mortgage Loan is not paid when the same becomes due and payable, or

 

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in the event the Mortgagor fails to perform any other covenant or obligation under the Mortgage Loan and such failure continues beyond any applicable grace period, the Servicer shall take such action as is consistent with Acceptable Servicing Practices.

 

In connection with a foreclosure or other conversion, the Servicer shall exercise such rights and powers vested in it hereunder and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as prudent mortgage servicers would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of their own affairs and consistent with Applicable Regulations and the Acceptable Servicing Practices with respect to mortgage loans in foreclosure or similar proceedings.  In the event that foreclosure results in a deficiency and applicable law permits, at the Owners’ option, the Servicer shall continue to perform collection services in accordance with a receivable collection agreement to be entered into with the Owner.

 

In the event that the Owner directs the Servicer to charge off any Mortgage Loan or the Servicer, in accordance with Accepted Servicing Practices, charges off any Mortgage Loan, the Servicer, at the Owner’s option, shall perform collection services with respect to such charged-off Mortgage Loan in accordance with a receivable collection agreement to be entered into with the Owner.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.03, with respect to any Mortgage Loan as to which the Servicer has received notice of, or has knowledge of, the presence of any toxic or hazardous substance on the related Mortgaged Property, the Servicer shall not either (i) obtain title to such Mortgaged Property as a result of or in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise, or (ii) otherwise acquire possession of, or take any other action with respect to, such Mortgaged Property if, as a result of any such action, either the Servicer or the Owner would be considered to hold title to, to be a mortgagee-in-possession of, or to be an owner or operator of such Mortgaged Property within the meaning of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended from time to time, or any comparable law, unless the Servicer has also previously determined, based on its reasonable judgment and a prudent report prepared by a Person who regularly conducts environmental audits using customary industry standards, that:

 

(A)                                such Mortgaged Property is in compliance with applicable environmental laws or, if not, it would be in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices to take such action as necessary in order to bring the Mortgaged Property into compliance therewith; and

 

(B)                                there are no circumstances present at such Mortgaged Property relating to the use, management or disposal of any hazardous substances, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, or petroleum-based materials for which investigation, testing, monitoring, containment, clean-up or remediation could be required under any federal, state or local law or regulation, or that if any such materials are present for which such action could be required, that it would be in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices to take such action with respect to the affected Mortgaged Property.

 

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The cost of the environmental audit report contemplated by this Section 4.03 and any opinion of counsel the Servicer reasonably determines that it needs to make a reasonable judgment with respect to its duties under this Section 4.03 shall be advanced by the Servicer, subject to the Servicer’s right to be reimbursed therefor from the Custodial Account as provided in Section 4.05(ii) but subject to the provisions of Section 5.04 regarding nonrecoverability.

 

If the Servicer determines, as described above, that it would be in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices to take such actions as are necessary to bring any such Mortgaged Property into compliance with applicable environmental laws, or to take such action with respect to the containment, clean-up or remediation of hazardous substances, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, or petroleum-based materials affecting any such Mortgaged Property, then the Servicer shall take such action as it deems to be in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices. The cost of any such compliance, containment, cleanup or remediation shall be advanced by the Servicer, subject to the Servicer’s right to be reimbursed therefor from the Custodial Account as provided in Section 4.05(ii) but subject to the provisions of Section 5.04 regarding nonrecoverability.

 

Section 4.04.                           Establishment of Custodial Accounts; Deposits in Custodial Accounts .  The Servicer shall segregate and hold all funds collected and received pursuant to each Mortgage Loan separate and apart from any of its own funds and general assets and shall establish and maintain one (1) or more Custodial Accounts, in the form of time deposit or demand accounts.  The creation of any Custodial Account shall be evidenced by a letter agreement in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto.  A copy of such letter agreement shall be sent to the Owner promptly after a Custodial Account is set up.  The Custodial Account shall be an Eligible Account.

 

The Servicer shall deposit in the Custodial Account on a daily basis within two (2) Business Days of receipt and acceptance, and retain therein, the following payments and collections received or made by it after the Cut-off Date with respect to the Mortgage Loans:

 

(i)                                      all payments on account of principal, including Principal Prepayments (other than prepayment penalties), on the Mortgage Loans;

 

(ii)                                   all payments on account of interest on the Mortgage Loans net of the Servicing Fee payable as provided in Section 6.03;

 

(iii)                                all Liquidation Proceeds;

 

(iv)                               all Primary Insurance Proceeds, LPMI Policy Proceeds and Other Insurance Proceeds including amounts required to be deposited pursuant to Sections 5.10 and 5.11, other than proceeds to be held in the Escrow Account and applied to the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property or released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the Servicer’s normal servicing procedures, the Mortgage Loan Documents or Applicable Regulations;

 

(v)                                  all Condemnation Proceeds affecting any Mortgaged Property which are not released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the Servicer’s normal servicing procedures, the Mortgage Loan Documents or Applicable Regulations;

 

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(vi)                               any amounts required to be deposited by the Servicer pursuant to Section 4.11 in connection with the deductible clause in any blanket hazard insurance policy, such deposit being made from the Servicer’s own funds, without reimbursement therefor;

 

(vii)                            any amounts required to be deposited by the Servicer in connection with any REO Property pursuant to Section 4.14; and

 

(viii)                         any amounts required to be deposited in the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.01.

 

Any interest paid on funds deposited in the Custodial Account by the depository institution shall accrue to the benefit of the Servicer and the Servicer shall be entitled to retain and withdraw such interest from the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.05(iii).  Any funds on deposit in the Custodial Account may only be invested in accordance with Section 4.16.

 

Section 4.05.                           Permitted Withdrawals From the Custodial Account .  The Servicer may, from time to time, withdraw from the Custodial Account for the following purposes:

 

(i)                                      to make payments to the Owner in the amounts and in the manner provided for in Section 5.01 after payments or reimbursements to the Servicer are made in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(ii)                                   to reimburse itself for Servicing Advances and any advances of principal and interest made with respect to any Mortgage Loan or REO Property pursuant to this Agreement and not previously reimbursed to the Servicer;

 

(iii)                                to pay to itself as servicing compensation any interest earned on funds in the Custodial Account (all such interest to be withdrawn monthly not later than each Remittance Date) and to pay itself any accrued but unpaid Servicing Fees, any unpaid Boarding Fees or Deboarding Fees with respect to any Mortgage Loan or REO Property, any other unpaid fees payable to the Servicer hereunder;

 

(iv)                               to reimburse itself for Nonrecoverable Servicing Advances made pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(v)                                  to reimburse itself for any litigation expenses, including attorneys’ fees, relating to the Mortgage Loans in connection with the performance of its duties as Servicer;

 

(vi)                               to pay the premiums with respect to any Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance Policy;

 

(vii)                            to reimburse itself for expenses incurred or reimbursable to itself pursuant to Section 7.01;

 

(viii)                         to reimburse itself for any deposits made by mistake or in error; and

 

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(ix)                               to clear and terminate the Custodial Account upon the termination of this Agreement with the balance to be paid to the Owner.

 

The foregoing requirements for withdrawal from the Custodial Account shall be exclusive, it being understood and agreed that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, payments in the nature of late payment charges, assumption fees and related Ancillary Income need not be deposited by the Servicer in the Custodial Account.  Additionally, in the event that amounts on deposit in the Custodial Account are insufficient at any time to cover the payment of any servicing compensation or reimbursement of Servicing Advances or other amounts payable to the Servicer under this Agreement, the Owner shall promptly reimburse the Servicer for such deficient amounts upon receipt of an invoice for the same from the Servicer.

 

Section 4.06.                           Establishment of Escrow Accounts; Deposits in Escrow Accounts .  The Servicer shall segregate and hold all funds collected and received pursuant to each First Mortgage Loan which constitute Escrow Payments separate and apart from any of its own funds and general assets and shall establish and maintain one (1) or more Escrow Accounts, in the form of time deposit or demand accounts.  The creation of any Escrow Account shall be evidenced by a letter agreement in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto.  A copy of such letter agreement shall be furnished to the Owner upon request.  The Escrow Account shall be an Eligible Account.  Any funds on deposit in any Escrow Account may only be invested in accordance with Section 4.16.

 

The Servicer shall deposit in the Escrow Account or Accounts on a daily basis within two (2) Business Days of receipt and acceptance, and retain therein, (i) all Escrow Payments collected on account of the Mortgage Loans, for the purpose of effecting timely payment of any such items as required under the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) all Other Insurance Proceeds and any applicable Condemnation Proceeds which are to be applied only to the restoration or repair of any Mortgaged Property and not to ground rents, taxes, assessments, water rates, hazard insurance premiums, Primary Insurance Policy premiums, if applicable, and similar items.  The Servicer shall make withdrawals therefrom only to effect such payments as are required under this Agreement, and for such other purposes as shall be set forth in, or in accordance with, Section 4.07.  The Servicer shall be entitled to retain any interest paid on funds deposited in the Escrow Account by the depository institution other than interest on escrowed funds required by law to be paid to the Mortgagors and, to the extent required by the related Mortgage Loan or Applicable Regulations, the Servicer shall pay from its own funds interest on escrowed funds to the Mortgagor notwithstanding that the Escrow Account is non-interest bearing or that interest paid thereon is insufficient for such purposes, provided that the accounts are Eligible Accounts.

 

Section 4.07.                           Permitted Withdrawals From Escrow Account .  Withdrawals from the Escrow Account may be made by the Servicer (i) to effect timely payments of ground rents, taxes, assessments, water rates, hazard insurance premiums, Primary Insurance Policy premiums, if applicable, and similar items, (ii) to reimburse the Servicer for any unreimbursed Servicing Advance made by the Servicer with respect to a related Mortgage Loan but only from amounts received on the related Mortgage Loan which represent late payments of Escrow Payments thereunder, (iii) to refund to the Mortgagor any funds as may be determined to be overages, (iv) for transfer to the Custodial Account in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (v) for application to restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property, (vi) to pay to the Servicer, or to

 

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the Mortgagor to the extent required by the related Mortgage Loan or Applicable Regulations, any interest paid on the funds deposited in the Escrow Account, (vii) to clear and terminate the Escrow Account on the termination of this Agreement or (viii) to transfer to the Custodial Account any Other Insurance Proceeds.

 

Section 4.08.                           Payment of Taxes, Insurance, and Other Charges; Maintenance of Primary Insurance Policies and LPMI Policies; Collections Thereunder .  With respect to each Mortgage Loan which provides for Escrow Payments to be made, the Servicer shall maintain accurate records reflecting the status of ground rents, taxes, assessments, water rates and other charges which are or may become a lien upon the Mortgaged Property and the status of Primary Mortgage Insurance premiums and fire and hazard insurance coverage and shall obtain, from time to time, all bills for the payment of such charges (including renewal premiums) and shall effect payment thereof prior to the applicable penalty or termination date, employing for such purpose deposits of the Mortgagor in the Escrow Account which shall have been estimated and accumulated by the Servicer in amounts sufficient for such purposes, as allowed under the terms of the Mortgage or Applicable Regulations.  To the extent that any First Mortgage Loan does not provide for Escrow Payments, the Servicer shall determine that any such payments are made by the Mortgagor.  With respect to each First Mortgage Loan, subject to Acceptable Servicing Practices, the Servicer assumes full responsibility for the payment of all such bills and shall effect payments of all such bills irrespective of the Mortgagor’s faithful performance in the payment of same or the making of the Escrow Payments and shall make Servicing Advances from its own funds to effect such payments within the time period required to avoid the loss of the related Mortgaged Property by foreclosure from a tax or other lien.  Additionally, for all tax penalties and interest levied prior to the transfer of the Mortgage Loans to the Servicer or as a result of the actions of the prior servicer or the Owner, the Servicer shall make Servicing Advances to effect such payments.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Servicer reasonably determines that such Servicing Advance would be a Nonrecoverable Servicing Advance, the Servicer shall have no obligation to make such Servicing Advance.  The Servicer shall be entitled to immediate reimbursement for any Servicing Advance from any and all funds deposited in the Custodial Account whether or not the funds deposited in the Custodial Account relate to the Mortgage Loans or REO Properties for which the Servicing Advances were made.

 

With respect to each First Mortgage Loan, the Servicer will maintain or cause to be maintained in full force and effect (to the extent a Mortgage Loan has a Primary Insurance Policy as of the Servicing Transfer Date and the prior servicer or Owner has provided the relevant information related to the Primary Insurance Policy to the Servicer) a Primary Insurance Policy issued by a Qualified Insurer with respect to each Mortgage Loan for which such coverage is required.  Such coverage will be maintained until the Loan-to-Value Ratio of the related Mortgage Loan is reduced to 80% or less or such lesser percentage as may be stated in the related Primary Insurance Policy.  The Servicer will not cancel or refuse to renew any Primary Insurance Policy in effect on the Servicing Transfer Date that is required to be kept in force under this Agreement unless a replacement Primary Insurance Policy for such cancelled or non-renewed policy is obtained from and maintained with a Qualified Insurer.  The Servicer will maintain or cause to be maintained in full force and effect any LPMI Policy issued by a Mortgage Insurer with respect to each Mortgage Loan for which such coverage is in existence or is obtained.  The Owner shall notify the Servicer of any Mortgage Loan covered under an LPMI Policy.  The Servicer shall not take any action which would result in non-coverage under any

 

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applicable Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy of any loss which, but for the actions of the Servicer, would have been covered thereunder.  In connection with any assumption or substitution agreement entered into or to be entered into pursuant to Section 6.01, the Servicer shall promptly notify the insurer under the related Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy, if any, of such assumption or substitution of liability in accordance with the terms of such policy and shall take all actions which may be required by such insurer as a condition to the continuation of coverage under the Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy, as applicable.  If such Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy is terminated as a result of such assumption or substitution of liability, the Servicer shall obtain a replacement Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy, as applicable, as provided above.

 

In connection with its activities as servicer, the Servicer agrees to prepare and present, on behalf of itself and the Owner, claims to the insurer under any Primary Insurance Policy and LPMI Policy in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms of such policies and, in this regard, to take such action as shall be necessary to permit recovery under any Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy, as applicable, respecting a defaulted Mortgage Loan.  Pursuant to Section 4.04, any amounts collected by the Servicer under any Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy shall be deposited in the Custodial Account, subject to withdrawal pursuant to Section 4.05.

 

Section 4.09.                           Transfer of Accounts .  The Servicer may transfer the Custodial Account or the Escrow Account to a different depository institution from time to time with notice to the Owner; provided that each such account shall be an Eligible Account.  Within three (3) Business Days of such transfer, the Servicer shall deliver to the Owner a new letter agreement, as required pursuant to Sections 4.04 and 4.06.

 

Section 4.10.                           Maintenance of Hazard Insurance .  The Servicer shall cause to be maintained for each First Mortgage Loan fire and hazard insurance with extended coverage as is customary in the area where the Mortgaged Property is located in an amount which is at least equal to the lesser of (i) the amount necessary to fully compensate for any damage or loss to the improvements which are a part of such property on a replacement cost basis or (ii) the Unpaid Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loan and any mortgage loan senior to the Mortgage Loan, in each case in an amount not less than such amount as is necessary to prevent the Mortgagor and/or the Mortgagee from becoming a co-insurer.  If the Mortgaged Property is in an area identified in the Federal Register by the Flood Emergency Management Agency as having special flood hazards and flood insurance has been made available, the Servicer will cause to be maintained a flood insurance policy meeting the requirements of the current guidelines of the Federal Insurance Administration with a generally acceptable insurance carrier, in an amount representing coverage not less than the least of (i) the Unpaid Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loan and any mortgage loan senior to the Mortgage Loan, (ii) the maximum insurable value of the improvements securing such Mortgage Loan or (iii) the maximum amount of insurance which is available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended.  The Servicer shall also maintain on the REO Property for the benefit of the Owner, (x) fire and hazard insurance with extended coverage in an amount which is at least equal to the replacement cost of the improvements which are a part of such property, (y) public liability insurance and, (z) to the extent required and available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, flood insurance in an amount as provided above.  Any amounts collected by the Servicer under any such policies other than amounts to be deposited in the Escrow Account and applied to the

 

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restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property or REO Property, or released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the Servicer’s normal servicing procedures, shall be deposited in the Custodial Account, subject to withdrawal pursuant to Section 4.05.  It is understood and agreed that no earthquake or other additional insurance is required to be maintained by the Servicer or the Mortgagor or maintained on property acquired in respect of the Mortgage Loan, other than pursuant to such Applicable Regulations as shall at any time be in force and as shall require such additional insurance.  All such policies shall be endorsed with standard mortgagee clauses with loss payable to the Servicer and shall provide for at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of any cancellation, reduction in the amount of or material change in coverage to the Servicer.  The Servicer shall not interfere with the Mortgagor’s freedom of choice in selecting either his insurance carrier or agent, provided, however, that the Servicer shall not accept any such insurance policies from insurance companies unless such companies currently reflect a general policy rating of B:VI or better in Best’s Key Rating Guide or are otherwise acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and are licensed to do business in the state wherein the Mortgaged Property is located.

 

If a Mortgage is secured by a unit in a condominium project, the Servicer shall verify that the coverage required of the owner’s association, including hazard, flood, liability, fidelity coverage and coverage for common areas, is being maintained in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices, and secure from the owner’s association its agreement to notify the Servicer promptly of any change in the insurance coverage or of any condemnation or casualty loss that may have a material effect on the value of the Mortgaged Property as security.

 

Section 4.11.                           Maintenance of Mortgage Impairment Insurance Policy .  In the event that the Servicer shall obtain and maintain, at its own expense, a blanket policy issued by an insurer that has a general policy rating of B:VI or better in Best’s Key Rating Guide or is otherwise acceptable to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (a “ Qualified Insurer ”) insuring against fire and hazard losses on all of the Mortgage Loans, then, to the extent such policy provides coverage in an amount equal to the amount required pursuant to Section 4.10 and otherwise complies with all other requirements of Section 4.10, it shall conclusively be deemed to have satisfied its obligations as set forth in Section 4.10, it being understood and agreed that such policy may contain a deductible clause, in which case the Servicer shall, in the event that there shall not have been maintained on the related Mortgaged Property or REO Property a policy complying with Section 4.10, and there shall have been a loss which would have been covered by such policy, deposit in the Custodial Account the amount not otherwise payable under the blanket policy because of such deductible clause.  Any amounts collected by the Servicer under any such policy relating to a Mortgage Loan shall be deposited in the Custodial Account to the extent such amounts are not deposited in the Escrow Account.  In connection with its activities as servicer of the Mortgage Loans, the Servicer agrees to prepare and present, on behalf of the Owner, claims under any such blanket policy in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms of such policy.  Upon request of the Owner, the Servicer shall cause to be delivered to the Owner a certified true copy of such policy and a statement from the insurer thereunder that such policy shall in no event be terminated or materially modified without thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Owner.

 

Section 4.12.                           Restoration and Repair .  The Servicer need not obtain the approval of the Owner prior to releasing any Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds to the Mortgagor to be applied to the restoration or repair of the Mortgaged Property or REO Property if such release

 

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is in accordance with Acceptable Servicing Practices and the terms of this Agreement.  At a minimum, the Servicer shall comply with the following conditions in connection with any such release of Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds:

 

(i)                                      the Servicer shall receive satisfactory independent verification of completion of repairs and issuance of any required approvals with respect thereto;

 

(ii)                                   the Servicer shall take all steps necessary to preserve the priority of the lien of the Mortgage, including, but not limited to requiring waivers with respect to mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens;

 

(iii)                                the Servicer shall verify that the Mortgage Loan is not in default; and

 

(iv)                               pending repairs or restoration, the Servicer shall place the Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds in the Escrow Account.

 

If the Owner is named as an additional loss payee, the Servicer is hereby empowered to endorse any loss draft issued in respect of such a claim in the name of the Owner.

 

The Servicer shall inspect the Mortgaged Property as often as is deemed necessary by the Servicer to assure itself that the value of the Mortgaged Property is being preserved.  In addition, if any Mortgage Loan is more than ninety (90) days delinquent, the Servicer shall immediately inspect the Mortgaged Property and shall conduct subsequent inspections in accordance with Accepted Servicing Practices.  The Servicer shall keep a written report of each such inspection.

 

If the Servicer hereafter becomes aware that a Mortgaged Property is, or an REO Property becomes, an Environmental Problem Property, the Servicer will notify the Owner of the existence of the Environmental Problem Property. Additionally, the Servicer shall set forth in such notice a description of such problem, a recommendation to the Owner relating to the proposed action regarding the Environmental Problem Property and the Servicer shall carry out the recommendation set forth in such notice unless otherwise directed by the Owner in writing within five (5) Business Days after the Owner’s receipt (or deemed receipt) of such notice but subject to the provisions of Section 5.04 regarding nonrecoverability.

 

Section 4.13.                           Fidelity Bond, Errors and Omissions Insurance .  The Servicer shall maintain, at its own expense, a blanket Fidelity Bond and an errors and omissions insurance policy, with broad coverage with a Qualified Insurer on all officers, employees or other Persons acting in any capacity with regard to the Mortgage Loans to handle funds, money, documents and papers relating to the Mortgage Loans.  The Fidelity Bond and errors and omissions insurance shall be in the form of the Mortgage Banker’s Blanket Bond and shall protect and insure the Servicer against losses, including forgery, theft, embezzlement, fraud, errors and omissions and negligent acts of such Persons.  Such Fidelity Bond and errors and omissions insurance policy shall also protect and insure the Servicer against losses in connection with the failure to maintain any insurance policies required pursuant to this Agreement and the release or satisfaction of a Mortgage Loan without having obtained payment in full of the indebtedness secured thereby.  No provision of this Section 4.13 requiring the Fidelity Bond and errors and omissions insurance policy shall diminish or relieve the Servicer from its duties and obligations as set forth in this Agreement.  The minimum coverage under any such bond and insurance

 

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policy shall be at least equal to the corresponding amounts required by Fannie Mae in the Fannie Mae MBS Selling and Servicing Guide or by Freddie Mac in the Freddie Mac Servicer’s Guide.  Upon request of the Owner, the Servicer shall cause to be delivered to the Owner a certified true copy of the Fidelity Bond and errors and omissions insurance policy and a statement from the surety and the insurer that such Fidelity Bond and errors and omissions insurance policy shall in no event be terminated or materially modified without thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Owner.

 

Section 4.14.                           Title, Management and Disposition of REO Property .  In the event that title to a Mortgaged Property is acquired in foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, the deed or certificate of sale shall be issued in the name of the Owner or such other party (other than the Servicer) designated by the Owner, as nominee on behalf of the Owner.

 

The Servicer shall manage, conserve, protect and operate each REO Property (and may temporarily rent the same) for the Owner solely for the purpose of its prompt disposition and sale.  The Servicer shall cause each REO Property to be inspected promptly upon the acquisition of title thereto and shall cause each REO Property to be inspected at least annually thereafter.  The Servicer shall make or cause to be made a written report of each such inspection.  Such reports shall be retained in the Mortgage Servicing File and copies thereof shall be forwarded by the Servicer to the Owner upon request.  The Servicer shall attempt to sell the same (and may temporarily rent the same) on such terms and conditions as the Servicer deems to be in the best interest of the Owner.

 

The Servicer shall deposit or cause to be deposited, on a daily basis in the Custodial Account, all revenues received with respect to each REO Property and shall withdraw therefrom funds necessary for the proper operation, management and maintenance of the REO Property, including the cost of maintaining any hazard insurance pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof and the reasonable fees of any managing agent acting on behalf of the Servicer.

 

The Servicer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to dispose of the REO Property as promptly as is practically consistent with protecting the Owner’s interest.

 

The Servicer shall also maintain on each REO Property fire and hazard insurance with extended coverage, liability insurance and, to the extent required and available under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, flood insurance, and all other insurance coverage required under Section 4.10 and in the amounts specified in Section 4.10.

 

Each REO Disposition shall be carried out by the Servicer at such price and upon such terms and conditions as the Servicer reasonably determines to be in the best interest of the Owner and provided the sales price and the related terms and conditions are results of arm’s-length negotiation.  If as of the date title to any REO Property was acquired by the Servicer there were outstanding unreimbursed Servicing Advances with respect to the REO Property, the Servicer, upon an REO Disposition of such REO Property, shall be entitled to reimbursement for any related unreimbursed Servicing Advances from proceeds received in connection with such REO Disposition.  The proceeds from the REO Disposition, net of any amounts reimbursable to the Servicer hereunder, shall be deposited promptly in the Custodial Account following receipt thereof for distribution on the next Remittance Date in accordance with Section 5.01.  The

 

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Owner acknowledges and agrees that the Servicer or an affiliate may receive usual and customary real estate referral fees from real estate brokers in connection with the listing and disposition of REO Property to the extent permitted pursuant to Applicable Regulations.

 

Together with the statement furnished pursuant to the following paragraph, the Servicer shall furnish to the Owner on or before each Remittance Date a statement with respect to any REO Property covering the operation of such REO Property for the previous month and the Servicer’s efforts in connection with the sale of such REO Property and any rental of such REO Property incidental to the sale thereof for the previous month.  That statement shall be accompanied by such other information as the Owner shall reasonably request.

 

Upon the foreclosure sale of any Mortgaged Property or the acquisition thereof by the Owner pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure, the Servicer shall submit to the Owner a liquidation report with respect to such Mortgaged Property.

 

Following the foreclosure sale or abandonment of any Mortgaged Property, the Servicer shall report such foreclosure or abandonment as required pursuant to Section 6050J of the Code or any successor provision thereof.

 

Section 4.15.                           Notification of Adjustments .  On each Adjustment Date, the Servicer shall make interest rate adjustments for each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan and shall adjust the Monthly Payment in compliance with the requirements of the related Mortgage and Mortgage Note and Applicable Regulations.  The Servicer shall execute and deliver the notices required by each Mortgage and Mortgage Note and Applicable Regulations regarding interest rate adjustments.  The Servicer also shall provide timely notification to the Owner of all applicable data and information regarding such interest rate and Monthly Payment adjustments and the Servicer’s methods of implementing such interest rate adjustments.

 

Section 4.16.                           Permitted Investments .

 

(a)                                  The Servicer may direct any depository institution maintaining any Custodial Account or Escrow Account (for purposes of this Section 4.16, an “ Investment Account ”) to invest, or if it is such depository institution, may itself invest, the funds held therein only in one (1) or more Permitted Investments bearing interest or sold at a discount, and maturing, unless payable on demand, (i) no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the next succeeding date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn from such account pursuant to this Agreement, if a Person other than the depository institution maintaining such account is the obligor thereon and (ii) no later than the date on which such funds are required to be withdrawn from such account pursuant to this Agreement, if the depository institution maintaining such account is the obligor thereon.  All such Permitted Investments shall be held to maturity, unless payable on demand.  In the event amounts on deposit in an Investment Account are at any time invested in a Permitted Investment payable on demand, the Servicer shall:

 

(i)                                      consistent with any notice required to be given thereunder, demand that payment thereon be made on the last day such Permitted Investment may otherwise mature hereunder in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) all amounts then payable thereunder and (b) the amount required to be withdrawn on such date; and

 

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(ii)                                   demand payment of all amounts due thereunder promptly upon determination by the Servicer that such Permitted Investment would not constitute a Permitted Investment in respect of funds thereafter on deposit in the Investment Account.

 

(b)                                  Interest and investment income realized on funds deposited in any Custodial Account or Escrow Account, to the extent of the Net Investment Earnings, if any, with respect to such account for the period from the immediately preceding Determination Date to such Determination Date, shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Servicer.  In the event that any loss or late payment shall be incurred in respect of any Permitted Investment on deposit in any Custodial Account or Escrow Account, the Servicer shall deposit therein, no later than the Remittance Date, without right of reimbursement, the amount of Net Investment Loss, if any, with respect to such account for the period from the immediately preceding Determination Date to the current Determination Date.  If the Servicer advances funds to cover a shortfall in any Custodial Account or Escrow Account due to a late payment on a Permitted Investment, the Servicer may withdraw the amount of such advance when the late payment on the Permitted Investment is made.

 

(c)                                   Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, if any default occurs in the making of a payment due under any Permitted Investment, or if a default occurs in any other performance required under any Permitted Investment, the Servicer may and, upon the request of the Owner shall, take such action as may be appropriate to enforce such payment or performance, including the institution and prosecution of appropriate proceedings, it being understood that the Servicer will duly observe subsection (b) of this Section 4.16 notwithstanding any action taken or to be taken by the Servicer in accordance with this subsection (c).  The Servicer shall be responsible for all costs, expenses, fees, loss and damages, if any, resulting from taking any action contemplated under this Section 4.16(c).

 

Section 4.17.                           Government Sponsored Programs and Legislation .  In response to economic events, federal, state and local authorities have proposed new legislation, rules, programs and regulations relating to the origination, servicing and modification of mortgage loans.  The Servicer is participating in HAMP and the HOPE NOW programs and will make it available to all applicable Mortgagors.  Additionally, the parties hereto agree that the Servicer may be required to participate in other government or industry-sponsored programs or be bound by government legislation or regulations that may materially affect the terms of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE V

 

PAYMENTS TO THE OWNER

 

Section 5.01.                           Distributions .  On each Remittance Date, the Servicer shall remit to the Owner all amounts credited to the Custodial Account as of the close of business on the preceding Determination Date (net of charges against or withdrawals from the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.05).

 

All remittances made to the Owner on each Remittance Date shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by the Owner at a bank or

 

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other entity having appropriate facilities therefor identified by the Owner to the Servicer or by check mailed to the address of the Owner.

 

With respect to any remittance received by the Owner on or after the Business Day following the Business Day on which such payment was due, the Servicer shall pay to the Owner interest on any such late payment at an annual rate equal to the Prime Rate, adjusted as of the date of each change, plus three percentage points, but in no event greater than the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Such interest shall be paid by the Servicer to the Owner on the date such late payment is made and shall cover the period commencing with the day following such Business Day and ending with the Business Day on which such payment is made, both inclusive. Such interest shall be remitted along with such late payment. The payment by the Servicer of any such interest shall not be deemed an extension of time for payment or a waiver of any Event of Default by the Servicer.

 

The Servicer shall prepare and file any and all tax returns, information statements or other filings required to be delivered to any governmental taxing authority pursuant to any applicable law with respect to the Mortgage Loans relating to the period the related Mortgage Loans are serviced under this Agreement.

 

Section 5.02.                           Statements to the Owner .  On each Reporting Date, the Servicer shall submit a Monthly Report in electronic format substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit E hereto (or in such other form and manner as may be hereafter mutually agreed upon by the Owner and the Servicer), showing all collections of interest and principal (from whatever source) on the Mortgage Loans and all collections in respect of the Mortgaged Properties and REO Properties (including sale proceeds and rental payments) during the calendar month preceding the Reporting Date as well as the amounts, and a detailed description of all Servicing Advances incurred during such calendar month and all distributions from the Custodial Account during such calendar month.

 

With respect to each month, the corresponding individual loan accounting report shall be received by the Owner no later than the Reporting Date occurring in the following month, which report shall contain the following:

 

(i)                                      with respect to each Monthly Payment, the amount of such remittance allocable to principal (including a separate breakdown of any Principal Prepayment, including the date of such prepayment, and any prepayment penalties or premiums, along with a detailed report of interest on principal prepayment amounts);

 

(ii)                                   with respect to each Monthly Payment, the amount of such remittance allocable to interest and assumption fees;

 

(iii)                                the amount of servicing compensation received by the Servicer since the preceding Determination Date;

 

(iv)                               the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loans;

 

(v)                                  the aggregate of any Servicing Advances and other expenses reimbursed to the Servicer during the prior distribution period;

 

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(vi)                               a listing of (a) the paid-through date of each Mortgage Loan, (b) the Mortgage Loans as to which foreclosure has commenced, (c) the Mortgage Loans with respect to which the related borrowers that have declared bankruptcy;  and (d) the Mortgage Loans as to which REO Property has been acquired; and

 

(vii)                            a trial balance, sorted in the Owner’s assigned loan number order.

 

Section 5.03.                           Real Estate Owned Property and Specially Serviced Loan Reports .  Together with the statement furnished pursuant to Section 5.02, with respect to any REO Property, the Servicer shall furnish to the Owner a statement covering the Servicer’s efforts in connection with the sale of such REO Property and any rental of such REO Property incidental to the sale thereof for the previous month, together with an operating statement.  Such statement shall be in electronic media which will include the listing price, the anticipated sale price and the anticipated closing date.  Additionally, with respect to any Mortgage Loan which has been delinquent for ninety (90) days or more and any REO Property, the Servicer shall furnish to the Owner a statement in electronic media which will include all information reasonably required by the Owner including, but not limited to:  the reason for default, the current status of such Mortgage Loan (whether in foreclosure, bankruptcy, work-out or being resolved), the last comment on the account, the last paid date, the template dates from the servicing system (such as the estimated sale date), and the first legal action.

 

Section 5.04.                           Nonrecoverability; Reimbursement of the Servicer .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Servicing Advance shall be required to be made hereunder if such Servicing Advance would, if made, constitute a Nonrecoverable Servicing Advance.  The determination by the Servicer that any proposed Servicing Advance would constitute a Nonrecoverable Servicing Advance shall be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate of the Servicer, delivered to the Owner with the following month’s Remittance Report, which details the reasons for such determination and contains an appraisal of the value of the Mortgaged Property.  As of each Determination Date, to the extent that amounts deposited into the Custodial Account since the preceding Determination Date are insufficient to reimburse the Servicer for any unreimbursed Servicing Advance previously made by the Servicer and to pay the Servicing Fee to the Servicer, the Owner shall reimburse the Servicer for such unreimbursed amount and such accrued and unpaid Servicing Fee within five (5) Business Days of receipt from the Servicer of an invoice for such unreimbursed amount.  In the event that such amount is not paid within five (5) Business Days of receipt from the Servicer of such invoice, such amount shall accrue interest commencing on the date of receipt from the Servicer of such invoice at an annual rate equal to the Prime Rate, adjusted as of the date of each change, plus three percentage points, but in no event greater than the maximum amount permitted by applicable law.

 

Section 5.05.                           Principal and Interest Advances .  The Servicer shall not have any obligations to advance payments of delinquent principal and interest on the Mortgage Loans unless the Servicer and the Owner agree by amendment to this Agreement to provide for such obligations.

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES

 

Section 6.01.                           Assumption Agreements .  With respect to each Mortgage Loan the Servicer will, to the extent it has knowledge of any conveyance or prospective conveyance by any Mortgagor of the Mortgaged Property (whether by absolute conveyance or contract of sale, and whether or not the Mortgagor remains or is to remain liable under the Mortgage Note and/or the Mortgage), exercise its right to accelerate the maturity of such Mortgage Loan under any “due-on-sale” clause applicable thereto; provided, however, that the Servicer shall not exercise any such rights (a) if prohibited by law from doing so, or (b) if the exercise of such rights would impair or threaten to impair any recovery under the related Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy, if any.  If the Servicer reasonably believes it is unable under applicable law to enforce such “due-on-sale” clause, the Servicer will enter into an assumption agreement with the Person to whom the Mortgaged Property has been conveyed or is proposed to be conveyed, pursuant to which such Person becomes liable under the Mortgage Note and, to the extent permitted by applicable state law, the Mortgagor remains liable thereon.  Where an assumption is allowed pursuant to this Section 6.01, the Servicer, with the prior written consent of the primary mortgage insurer, if any, and to the extent required by the applicable Primary Insurance Policy, is authorized to prepare a substitution of liability agreement and any other document required in connection therewith to be entered into by the Owner and the Person to whom the Mortgaged Property has been conveyed or is to be proposed to be conveyed pursuant to which the original Mortgagor is released from liability and such Person is substituted as Mortgagor and becomes liable under the related Mortgage Note.  Any such substitution of liability agreement shall be in lieu of an assumption agreement.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, prior to its entering into any such assumption or substitution of liability, the Servicer shall notify the Owner in writing and obtain the written consent of the Owner; provided that the Owner’s consent shall be deemed given if not denied within five (5) Business Days of Owner’s receipt of such notice.  In connection with any such assumption or substitution of liability, the Servicer shall follow the underwriting practices and procedures of prudent mortgage lenders in the respective states where the Mortgaged Properties are located.  With respect to an assumption or substitution of liability, no material term of the Mortgage Loan may be changed, including without limitation, the Mortgage Interest Rate borne by the related Mortgage Note and the amount of the Monthly Payment.  The Servicer shall notify the Owner that any such substitution of liability or assumption agreement has been completed and forward to the Custodian the original of any such substitution of liability or assumption agreement, which document shall be added to the related Mortgage Loan Documents and shall, for all purposes, be considered a part of such Mortgage Servicing File to the same extent as all other documents and instruments constituting a part thereof.

 

The Servicer shall forward to the Custodian or, at the request of the Owner, to the Owner or its designee, original documents evidencing an assumption, modification, consolidation or extension of any Mortgage Loan entered into in accordance with this Agreement within ten (10) Business Days of their execution; provided, however, that the Servicer shall provide the Custodian with the certified true copy of any such documents submitted for recordation within two weeks of its execution, and shall provide the original of any document submitted for

 

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recordation or copy of such document certified by the appropriate public recording office to be a true and complete copy of the original within ninety days of its submission for recordation.

 

Section 6.02.                           Satisfaction of Mortgages and Release of Mortgage Servicing Files .  Upon the payment in full of any Mortgage Loan, or the receipt by the Servicer of a notification that payment in full will be escrowed in a manner customary for such purposes, the Servicer shall notify the Owner in the monthly remittance report, or at such earlier time as required in order to enable the Owner to comply with its obligations under applicable law, that all amounts received or to be received in connection with such payment which are required to be deposited in the Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.04 have been or will be so deposited, and shall request execution of any document necessary to satisfy the Mortgage Loan and delivery to it of the portion of the Mortgage File held by the Owner or the Custodian.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Owner shall, or shall instruct the Custodian to, promptly release the related mortgage documents to the Servicer and the Servicer shall prepare and process any satisfaction or release.  The Owner agrees to use its reasonable efforts to cause the Custodian to deliver to the Servicer the original Mortgage Note for any Mortgage Loan not later than ten (10) Business Days after notification, or such earlier time necessary to assure that the Servicer will not be penalized under applicable law, following its receipt of a notice from the Servicer that such a payment in full has been received or that a notification has been received that such a payment in full shall be made.  The Servicer shall use reasonable efforts to provide a follow-up notice to the Owner in the event that the Owner (or Custodian, as applicable) does not provide any such Mortgage Note to the Servicer within five (5) Business Days following its receipt of such notice from the Servicer to the extent that the Servicer determines that the Owner would otherwise miss a deadline for delivery of the satisfaction of such Mortgage Note.

 

From time to time and as appropriate for the servicing or foreclosure of each Mortgage Loan, including for this purpose collection under any Primary Insurance Policy or LPMI Policy, the Owner or the Custodian, as the case may be, shall, upon request of the Servicer and delivery to the Owner or the Custodian, as the case may be, of a servicing receipt signed by a Servicing Officer, release the Mortgage Loan Documents held by the Owner or the Custodian, as the case may be, to the Servicer.  Such servicing receipt shall obligate the Servicer to return the related Mortgage documents to the Owner or the Custodian, as the case may be, when the need therefor by the Servicer no longer exists, unless the Mortgage Loan has been liquidated and the Liquidation Proceeds relating to the Mortgage Loan have been deposited in the Custodial Account.

 

Section 6.03.                           Servicing Compensation .  As part of its compensation for its services hereunder, the Servicer shall be entitled to the Servicing Fees and shall be entitled to withdraw the same from the Custodial Account if not retained from payments on the related Mortgage Loans, to retain from payments on such Mortgage Loan prior to depositing such funds into the Custodial Account, or to be paid by the Owner to the extent not otherwise paid to, or received by, the Servicer, the Servicing Fee attributable to each Mortgage Loan.  Additionally, the Servicer also shall be entitled to retain all Ancillary Income paid with respect to each Mortgage Loan.

 

Section 6.04.                           Statement of Compliance .  Not later than March 15 th  of each calendar year commencing in 201[_], the Servicer shall deliver to the Owner an Officer’s Certificate (each, an

 

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“Annual Statement of Compliance”) stating, as to each signatory thereof, that (i) a review of the activities of the Servicer during the preceding year and of performance under this Agreement has been made under such officers’ supervision and (ii) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Servicer has fulfilled all of its obligations under this Agreement in all material respects throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation in any material respect, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof.

 

Section 6.05.                           Annual Independent Certified Public Accountants’ Servicing Report .  On or before March 15 th  of each year, beginning with March 15, 201[  ], the Servicer at its expense shall cause a firm of independent public accountants which is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to furnish a statement to the Owner (each, an “Annual Independent Certified Public Accountants’ Servicing Report”) to the effect that such firm has obtained a representation regarding certain matters from the management of the Servicer, which includes an assertion that the Servicer has complied with the relevant servicing critieria as described in Regulation AB and on the basis of an examination conducted by such firm in accordance with the standard for attestation engagements issued or adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, it is expressing an opinion as to whether the Servicer’s compliance with the relevant servicing criteria was fairly stated in all material respects, or it cannot express an overall opinion regarding the Servicer’s assessment of compliance with the relevant servicing criteria.  In the event that an overall opinion cannot be expressed, such registered public accounting firm shall state in such report why it was unable to express such an opinion.

 

Section 6.06.                           Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance and Back-up Certifications .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, with respect to any Mortgage Loan subject to a Securitization Transaction, the Servicer shall deliver to the related depositor (the “Depositor”) and any other entity that is required, pursuant to the related pooling and servicing agreement, to file a certification with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (each, a “Certifying Party”), on or before March 15 th  of each calendar year beginning in 200[  ] (or, if any such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) or such alternative date reasonably specified by the Certifying Party which shall occur not earlier than 15 days prior to the date any Form 10-K is required to be filed with the Commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (i) an Annual Statement of Compliance, (ii) an Annual Independent Certified Public Accountants’ Servicing Report and (iii) a certification in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I .  The certification required pursuant to subpart (iii) of the prior sentence shall be signed by the senior officer in charge of servicing of the Servicer.  In addition, the Servicer shall provide such other information with respect to the Mortgage Loans and the servicing and administration thereof within the control of the Servicer which shall be required to enable the Certifying Party to comply with the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(b)                                  The Servicer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, the related Certifying Party, the related trustee, the related depositor and their respective officers, directors, agents and affiliates (the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any losses, damages, penalties, fines,

 

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forfeitures, reasonable legal fees and related costs, judgments and other costs and expenses arising out of or based upon a breach by the Servicer or any of its officers, directors, agents or affiliates of its obligations under this Section 6.06 or the Servicer’s negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in connection therewith.  Such indemnity shall survive the termination or resignation of the parties hereto or the termination of this Agreement. If the indemnification provided for herein is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless any Indemnified Party, then the Servicer agrees that it shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities of such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of each Indemnified Party on the one hand and the Servicer on the other in connection with a breach of the Servicer’s obligations under this Section 6.06.

 

Section 6.07.                           Reports of Foreclosures and Abandonment of Mortgaged Property .  The Servicer shall file, or cause to be filed, the information returns with respect to the receipt of mortgage interest received in a trade or business, the reports of foreclosures and abandonments of any Mortgaged Property and the information returns relating to cancellation of indebtedness income with respect to any Mortgaged Property required by Sections 6050H, 6050J, 6050P and any comparable or successor provisions of the Code, respectively.  Such reports shall be in form and substance sufficient to meet the reporting requirements imposed by Sections 6050H, 6050J, 6050P of the Code and any comparable or successor provisions.

 

Section 6.08.                           Compliance with Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 .  With respect to each Mortgage Loan and related Mortgagor, the Servicer shall comply with Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and all applicable regulations promulgated thereunder, and shall provide all notices required thereunder with respect to the Servicer and the Owner.

 

Section 6.09.                           Reporting .  With respect to the period that the related Mortgage Loans are being serviced by the Servicer, the Servicer shall prepare promptly each report required by Applicable Regulations including reports to be delivered to all governmental agencies having jurisdiction over the servicing of the Mortgage Loans and the Escrow Accounts, shall execute such reports or, if the Owner must execute such reports, shall deliver such reports to the Owner for execution prior to the date on which such reports are due and shall file such reports with the appropriate Persons. The Servicer shall timely prepare and deliver to the appropriate Persons Internal Revenue Service forms 1098, 1099 and 1099A (or any similar replacement, amended or updated Internal Revenue Service forms) relating to any Mortgage Loan for the time period such Mortgage Loan has been serviced by the Servicer. The Owner shall be solely responsible for filing any other forms including, without limitation and to the extent applicable, forms 1041 and K-1 or any similar replacement, amended or updated Internal Revenue Service forms. The reports to be provided under this subsection shall cover the period through the end of the month following the termination of this Agreement or, in the case of reports to be sent to the Internal Revenue Service, the end of the calendar year following termination of the Agreement. To the extent it is an Acceptable Servicing Practice, the Servicer shall promptly prepare all reports or other information required to respond to any inquiry from, or give any necessary instructions to, any mortgage insurer, provider of hazard insurance or other insurer or guarantor, taxing authority, tax service, or the Mortgagor.  In addition to the foregoing, with respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Servicer shall fully furnish, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and its implementing regulations, accurate and complete information (e.g., favorable and

 

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unfavorable) on its borrower credit files to Equifax, Experian and Trans Union Credit Information Company or their successors on a monthly basis.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

THE SERVICER

 

Section 7.01.                           Indemnification; Third Party Claims .  (a) Subject to Section 7.03, the Servicer agrees to indemnify the Owner and its present and former officers, directors, employees and agents and hold them harmless against any and all claims, losses, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees (including legal fees incurred in connection with the enforcement of the Servicer’s indemnification obligation under this Section 7.01) and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that the Owner or such Persons may sustain in any way which arise from (i) the failure of the Servicer to perform its duties and service the Mortgage Loans in compliance with the terms of this Agreement or (ii) in connection with the breach of any representation or warranty made by the Servicer hereunder.  The Servicer shall not be liable, and assumes no liability, arising out of any act or omission to act of any servicer, sub-servicer, owner, holder or originator of the Mortgage Loans or Mortgaged Properties before the Servicing Transfer Date and, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Servicer expressly disclaims such liability.  Furthermore, the Servicer shall not be liable to the Owner with respect to action taken by the Servicer, or for refraining from taking any action, with respect to any Mortgage Loan or REO Property at and in conformity with the written direction of the Owner or for liability caused by or resulting from a delay occasioned by the Owner’s objection to a proposal by the Servicer hereunder, or for any liability caused by or resulting from the Owner’s breach of a representation or warranty herein or for any liability incurred by reason of the Owner’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in acting or refraining from acting or any failure of performance.

 

(b)                                  The Owner agrees to indemnify the Servicer and its respective present and former officers, directors, employees and agents and hold them harmless against any and all claims, losses, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees (including legal fees incurred in connection with the enforcement of the Owner’s indemnification obligation under this Section 7.01) and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that the Servicer or such Persons may sustain in any way which arise from or are in connection with (i) any act or omission of the Owner or any employee, agent or representative authorized to act or acting on the Owner’s behalf with respect to the Mortgage Loans, that constitutes negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Owner, (ii) any actions or omissions in respect of any Mortgage Loan or REO Property of any prior servicer, sub-servicer, owner or originator of a Mortgage Loan or REO Property, (iii) the Servicer’s taking of any action, or refraining from the taking of any action, with respect to any Mortgage Loan or REO Property in conformity with this Agreement or at the written direction of the Owner, its employees, or agents, (iv) the material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Owner hereunder and (v) any Environmental Liability; provided, however, the indemnity for Environmental Liability shall not be effective with respect any liability directly and solely caused by the Servicer that would otherwise be imposed by reason of the Servicer’s negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct in the performance of, or failure to perform, its duties under this Agreement.

 

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(c)                                   Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7.01 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 7.01, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party under this Section 7.01, except to the extent that it has been prejudiced in any material respect, or from any liability which it may have, otherwise than under this Section 7.01.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided that if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it or them and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, then the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.  Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party for expenses incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with one local counsel, if applicable), approved by the Owner in the case of subsection (a), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party; and except that, if clause (i) or (iii) is applicable, such liability shall be only in respect of the counsel referred to in such clause (i) or (iii).

 

Section 7.02.                           Merger or Consolidation of the Servicer .  The Servicer will keep in full effect its existence, rights and authorizations to service the Mortgage Loans in all states in which Mortgaged Property is located, and will obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is, or shall be, necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Mortgage Loans and to perform its duties under this Agreement.

 

Any Person into which the Servicer may be merged or consolidated, or any corporation, limited partnership or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Servicer shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the business of the Servicer, or any Person acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of the Servicer, shall be the successor of the Servicer hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding; provided, however, that the successor or surviving party (i) be an established mortgage loan servicing institution that

 

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is a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac approved seller/servicer in good standing and (ii) have a net worth of not less than $30,000,000.

 

Section 7.03.                           Limitation on Liability of the Servicer and Others .  Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, neither the Servicer nor any of the directors, officers, employees or agents of the Servicer shall be liable to the Owner for any action taken or for refraining from the taking of any action in good faith pursuant to this Agreement, or for errors in judgment; provided, however, that this provision shall not protect the Servicer or any such person against any failure to perform its obligations in compliance with any standard of care set forth in this Agreement.  The Servicer and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Servicer may rely in good faith on any document of any kind prima facie properly executed and submitted by any Person respecting any matters arising hereunder. The Servicer shall be entitled to rely upon any notice, document, correspondence, request, directives or other communication received by it from the Owner that the Servicer believes to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by an authorized officer or representative of the Owner, and shall not be obligated to inquire as to the authority or power of any Person so executing or presenting any notice, document, correspondence, request, directive or other communication or as to the truthfulness of any statements therein.  Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Servicer shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal action which is not incidental to its duties to service the Mortgage Loans in accordance with this Agreement and which in its opinion may involve it in any expenses or liability; provided, however, that the Servicer may undertake any such action which it may deem necessary or desirable in respect to this Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereto.  In such event, the reasonable legal expenses and reasonable costs of such action and any liability resulting therefrom shall be expenses, costs and liabilities for which the Owner will be liable, and the Servicer shall be entitled to be reimbursed therefor from the Owner upon written demand.

 

NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING CONTAINED HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE PARTIES AGREE HERETO THAT NO PARTY HERETO SHALL BE LIABLE TO ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT LIABILITY) OR ANY OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE PRINCIPLES; PROVIDED THAT, THE FOREGOING PROVISION SHALL NOT LIMIT OR RELIEVE ANY PARTY HERETO OF ANY OBLIGATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO AGAINST ANY DAMAGES IMPOSED UPON SUCH PARTY BY A FINAL ORDER OF ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN CONNECTION WITH ANY LEGAL ACTION BROUGHT AGAINST SUCH PARTY HERETO BY ANY THIRD PARTY.

 

Section 7.04.                           Transactions with Related Persons .  In carrying out its obligations and duties under this Agreement, the Servicer may contract with its affiliates on condition that all Persons with whom the Servicer may contract, enter into arrangements with, or otherwise deal with, shall be engaged on a commercially reasonable, arm’s-length basis and at competitive rates of compensation.  Nothing contained in this Agreement will prevent the Servicer or its affiliates from engaging in other business or from acting in a similar capacity for any other Person even though such Person may engage in business activities similar to those of the Owner or its affiliates.

 

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Section 7.05.                           Servicer Not to Resign .  The Servicer shall not assign this Agreement or resign from the obligations and duties hereby imposed on it except:  (a) as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, (b) by mutual consent of the Servicer and the Owner, or (c) upon the determination that its duties hereunder are no longer permissible under applicable law and such incapacity cannot be cured by the Servicer; provided, however, that the Servicer shall not be entitled to any Deboarding Fees in connection with a resignation pursuant to this clause (c).  Any such determination permitting the resignation of the Servicer shall be evidenced by an opinion of counsel to such effect delivered to the Owner which opinion of counsel shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Owner.  No such resignation shall become effective until a successor shall have assumed the Servicer’s responsibilities and obligations hereunder in the manner provided in Section 10.01.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DEFAULT

 

Section 8.01.                           Events of Default .  Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default on the part of the applicable Party:

 

(a)                                  any failure by a Party to remit to the other Party any payment required to be made under the terms of this Agreement which continues unremedied for a period of five (5) days after the date upon which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to such Party;

 

(b)                                  any failure by either Party duly to observe or perform in any material respect any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of such Party set forth in this Agreement which continues un-remedied for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to such Party;

 

(c)                                   a decree or order of a court or agency or supervisory authority having jurisdiction for the appointment of a conservator or receiver or liquidator in any insolvency, bankruptcy, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, shall have been entered against a Party and such decree or order shall have remained in force undischarged or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days;

 

(d)                                  a Party shall consent to the appointment of a conservator or receiver or liquidator in any insolvency, bankruptcy, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceedings of or relating to such Party or of or relating to all or substantially all of its property;

 

(e)                                   with respect to Servicer only, the Servicer ceases to meet the qualifications of a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac servicer and such approvals are not reinstated within thirty (30) days;

 

(f)                                    a Party shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, file a petition to take advantage of any applicable insolvency or reorganization

 

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statute, make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors or voluntarily suspend payment of its obligations; or

 

(g)                                   any failure by a Party to maintain the material licenses to do business in any jurisdiction where the Mortgaged Property is located, but only to the extent such non-qualification materially and adversely affects such Party’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

In each and every such case, so long as an Event of Default shall not have been remedied, in addition to any rights a Party may have at law or equity to damages, including injunctive relief and specific performance, a Party, by notice in writing to the defaulting Party, may terminate all the rights and obligations of the other Party under this Agreement and in and to the Mortgage Loans and the proceeds thereof.  If a Party obtains knowledge of an Event of Default, it shall promptly notify the non-defaulting party thereof.

 

Section 8.02.                           Waiver of Defaults .  The non-defaulting Party may waive in writing any default by the defaulting Party in the performance of its obligations hereunder and its consequences.  Upon any such waiver of a past default, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been remedied for every purpose of this Agreement.  No such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon except to the extent expressly so waived.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

TERM; TERMINATION

 

Section 9.01.                           Term .  The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the date of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until the date that is fifteen (15) years from the date of this Agreement (the “Initial Term”), or the earlier date upon which this Agreement has been otherwise terminated in accordance with this Article IX.  This Agreement will automatically renew for successive two (2) year terms (each, a “Renewal Term”) unless either Party decides that it does not wish to renew this Agreement before the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, as applicable, by notifying the other Party in writing at least nine (9) months before the completion of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, as applicable.

 

Section 9.02.                           Termination .  This Agreement shall terminate upon any of the following:  (i) the later of the final payment or other liquidation (or any advance with respect thereto) of the last Mortgage Loan or the disposition of any remaining REO Property and the remittance of all funds due hereunder; (ii) mutual consent of the Servicer and the Owner in writing; (iii) termination by the servicer or the Owner with or without cause under the terms of this Agreement; (iv) with respect to the related Mortgage Loans, a Securitization Transfer pursuant to Section 10.13; or (v) as soon as practicable, but no longer than thirty (30) days, after the expiration or earlier termination of that certain Asset Management Agreement, dated as of [          ], 2012, between Altisource Residential Corporation and Altisource Asset Management Corporation.  The termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Article IX shall not release either party from liability for its own misrepresentation or for any breach by it of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty herein arising prior to such termination.

 

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Section 9.03.         Termination Without Cause .  The Owner may terminate, at its sole option, any rights the Servicer may have hereunder, without cause, as provided in this Section 9.03 with respect to one or more Mortgage Loans (provided however, that Owner shall not adversely select such Mortgage Loans) upon sixty (60) days prior written notice.  Any such notice of termination shall be in writing and delivered to the Servicer by registered mail as provided in Section 10.04.  In the event that the Servicer is terminated pursuant to this Section 9.03, the Owner shall pay the Servicer an amount equal to (1) the applicable Deboarding Fees, (2) the costs and expenses of Servicer to transfer the servicing with respect to the related Mortgage Loans to a successor servicer and (3) all outstanding Servicing Advances and other Servicer expenditures for which Servicer is entitled to reimbursement hereunder, Servicing Fees and other servicing compensation as set forth herein.

 

The Servicer may terminate, at its sole option, its obligations under this Agreement upon sixty (60) days prior written notice.   Any such notice of termination shall be in writing and delivered to the Owner by registered mail as provided in Section 10.04.  If the event the Servicer terminates this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.03, the Owner shall pay the Servicer the amounts set forth in clauses (2) and (3) in the preceding paragraph, provided, however, that the Owner shall not be required to pay any Deboarding Fees.

 

Section 9.04.         Termination with Cause .  So long as an Event of Default shall have occurred and shall not have been remedied, the non-breaching Party, by notice in writing to the other Party, may, in addition to whatever rights such party may have at law or equity to damages, including injunctive relief and specific performance, terminate all the rights and obligations of the breaching Party under this Agreement; provided, however, that any termination by Servicer in respect of an Owner Event of Default shall be effective sixty (60) days after the notice of termination or such lesser time as the Owner may require to find a successor servicer.

 

Section 9.05.         Transfer Procedures .  In the event the Servicer is replaced or otherwise transfers servicing with respect to one or more Mortgage Loans pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Servicer agrees to cooperate with the Owner and with any party designated as the successor servicer or subservicer in transferring the servicing to such successor servicer.  In addition, the Servicer shall be responsible for notifying the related mortgagors of any transfer of servicing in accordance with the requirements of the RESPA and the Cranston Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990.  On or before the Transfer Date with respect to one or more Mortgage Loans, the Servicer shall prepare, execute and deliver to the successor servicer any and all documents and other instruments, place in such successor’s possession all Mortgage Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of such notice of termination, including but not limited to the transfer and endorsement or assignment of the related Mortgage Loans and related documents.  If such transfer of servicing relates to a termination of the Servicer pursuant to Section 7.05(c),  Section 9.03(b) or an Event of Default of the Servicer, such actions shall be undertaken at the Servicer’s sole expense, but shall otherwise be at the sole expense of the Owner, including payment of the applicable Deboarding Fees.  The Servicer shall reasonably cooperate with the Owner and such successor in effecting the termination of the Servicer’s responsibilities and rights hereunder with respect to one or more Mortgage Loans.

 

The Servicer shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all unreimbursed Servicing Advances and/or other advances made by the Servicer pursuant to this Agreement with respect to any

 

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Mortgage Loan on the related Transfer Date.  In addition, the Owner shall cause the Servicer to be reimbursed for any accrued and unpaid Servicing Fees and other servicing compensation and for any trailing expenses representing Servicing Advances or other costs or expenses incurred by the Servicer and for which invoices are received by the Owner after the Transfer Date.  The Owner shall cause the Servicer to be reimbursed for such trailing expenses within five (5) Business Days of receipt of such invoices.

 

ARTICLE X

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

Section 10.01.      Successor to the Servicer .  Prior to the termination of the Servicer’s responsibilities and duties under this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.05, 8.01 or Article IX, the Owner shall succeed to and assume all of the Servicer’s responsibilities, rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement or appoint a successor which shall succeed to all rights and assume all of the responsibilities, duties and liabilities of the Servicer under this Agreement prior to the termination of the Servicer’s responsibilities, duties and liabilities under this Agreement.  In connection with such appointment and assumption, the Owner may make such arrangements for the compensation of such successor out of payments on Mortgage Loans as it and such successor shall agree.  In the event that the Servicer’s duties, responsibilities and liabilities under this Agreement should be terminated pursuant to the aforementioned Sections, the Servicer shall discharge such duties and responsibilities during the period from the date it acquires knowledge of such termination until the effective date thereof with the same degree of diligence and prudence which it is obligated to exercise under this Agreement, and shall take no action whatsoever that might impair or prejudice the rights or financial condition of its successor.  The resignation or removal of the Servicer pursuant to the aforementioned Sections shall not become effective until the Owner succeeds to or a successor is appointed pursuant to this Section 10.01.

 

Any successor servicer appointed as provided herein shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Servicer and to the Owner an instrument accepting such appointment, whereupon such successor servicer shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities of the Servicer from and after such appointment, but with like effect as if originally named as a party to this Agreement.  Any termination or resignation of the Servicer or termination of this Agreement shall not affect any claims that the Owner may have against the Servicer, or any claims that the Servicer may have against the Owner, arising prior to any such termination or resignation.

 

The Servicer shall timely deliver to the successor the funds in the Custodial Account and the Escrow Account and the Mortgage Servicing Files and Mortgage Notes, if any, and related documents and statements held by it hereunder and the Servicer shall account for all funds.  The Servicer shall comply with Section 9.05 and execute and deliver such instruments and do such other things all as may reasonably be required to more fully and definitely vest and confirm in the successor all such rights, powers, duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities of the Servicer.

 

If any of the Mortgage Loans are MERS Designated Mortgage Loans, in connection with the termination or resignation of the Servicer hereunder, the Servicer shall cooperate with the

 

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successor servicer either (x) in causing MERS to execute and deliver an assignment of Mortgage in recordable form to transfer the Mortgage from MERS to the Owner and to execute and deliver such other notices, documents and other instruments as may be necessary or desirable to effect a transfer of such Mortgage Loan or servicing of such Mortgage Loan on the MERS System to the successor servicer or (y) in causing MERS to designate on the MERS System the successor servicer as the servicer of such Mortgage Loan.

 

Upon a successor’s acceptance of appointment as such, the Owner shall notify the Servicer in writing of such appointment.

 

On the effective date of termination, replacement or resignation of the Servicer under this Agreement, the Owner shall cause the Servicer to be paid any unpaid Servicing Fees and reimbursed any unreimbursed Servicing Advances.

 

Section 10.02.      Amendment .  This Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Servicer and the Owner by written agreement signed by the Servicer and the Owner.

 

Section 10.03.      Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles (other than New York General Obligations Law § 5-1401).

 

Section 10.04.      Notices .  All demands, notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed conclusively to have been given if personally delivered at or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, and return receipt requested or transmitted by facsimile or email and confirmed by a similar mailed writing, if (i) in the case of the Servicer, 1661 Worthington Road Centrepark West, Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, Attention:  Secretary, Facsimile Number:  (561) 682-8177 or such other address as may hereafter be furnished to the Owner in writing by the Servicer and (ii) in the case of the Owner, Altisource Residential, L.P., at c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 402 Strand St., Frederiksted, VI  00840-3531, Attention: Corporate Secretary, Facsimile Number: [                      ], or such other address as may be furnished to the Servicer in writing by the Owner.

 

Section 10.05.      Severability Provisions .  If any one or more of the covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall be for any reason whatsoever held invalid, the invalidity of any such covenant, agreement, provision or term of this Agreement shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement, provided, however, that if the invalidity of any covenant, agreement or provision shall deprive any party of the economic benefit intended to be conferred by this Agreement, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to develop a structure the economic effect of which is identical to the economic effect of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.06.      Exhibits .  The exhibits of this Agreement are hereby incorporated and made a part hereof and are an integral part of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.07.      General Interpretive Principles .  For purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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(i)            the terms defined in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to them in this Agreement and include the plural as well as the singular, and the use of any gender herein shall be deemed to include the other gender;

 

(ii)           accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meaning assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(iii)          references herein to “Articles,” “Sections,” “Subsections,” “Paragraphs,” and other subdivisions without reference to a document are to designated Articles, Sections, Subsections, Paragraphs and other subdivisions of this Agreement;

 

(iv)          a reference to a Subsection without further reference to a Section is a reference to such Subsection as contained in the same Section in which the reference appears, and this rule shall also apply to Paragraphs and other subdivisions;

 

(v)           the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision; and

 

(vi)          the term “include” or “including” shall mean without limitation by reason of enumeration.

 

Section 10.08.      Reproduction of Documents .  This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (i) consents, waivers and modifications which may hereafter be executed, (ii) documents received by any party at the closing, and (iii) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished, may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process.  The parties agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

 

Section 10.09.      Provision of Information .  In addition to the reports required under Section 5.02 during the term of this Agreement, the Servicer shall furnish to the Owner such other periodic, special, or other reports or information, whether or not provided for herein, as shall be necessary, reasonable, and appropriate with respect to the Owner or the purposes of this Agreement.  All such other reports or information shall be provided by and in accordance with all reasonable instructions and directions which the Owner may give.  The Servicer shall notify the Owner with respect to the estimated cost of preparing any such other reports prior to their preparation.  If any such other reports or information require the Servicer to perform any additional programming functions to prepare such reports or information, the costs to prepare such reports or information shall be a Servicing Advance and the Servicer shall be reimbursed for such Servicing Advances pursuant to Section 4.05(ii).

 

Section 10.10.      Further Assurances .  Each party to this Agreement agrees to execute and deliver such instruments and take such actions as the other party may, from time to time, reasonably request to effect the purpose and carry out the terms of this Agreement.

 

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Section 10.11.      No Solicitations .  From and after the related Servicing Transfer Date, the Servicer agrees that it will not take any action or permit or cause any action to be taken by any of its agents or affiliates, or by any independent contractors on the Servicer’s behalf, to personally, by telephone or mail, solicit the Mortgagor under any Mortgage Loan to refinance a Mortgage Loan without the prior written consent of the Owner.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that the following shall not constitute solicitations under this Section 10.11 (i) promotions undertaken by the Servicer or any affiliate thereof which are directed to the general public at large, including, without limitation, mass mailing based on commercially acquired mailing lists, newspaper, radio, Internet and television advertisements, (ii) offers to refinance a Mortgage Loan following the Servicer’s receipt of a request for verification of mortgage or payoff demand related to a Mortgagor (other than those initiated in response to a solicitation initiated by the Servicer or any of its agents or affiliates) and (iii) any solicitations made as part of a loss mitigation strategy for any defaulted Mortgage Loan.

 

Section 10.12.      Financial Statements; Servicing Facilities .  In connection with marketing the Mortgage Loans, the Owner may make available to a prospective purchaser consolidated financial statements of the Servicer that are generally available to the public such as those financial statements of the Servicer or its affiliates, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and those financial statements of the Servicer, or its affiliates, available at http://www.ocwen.com, or at such other internet site of the Servicer or its affiliates.  The Servicer shall make available to the Owner or any prospective purchaser a knowledgeable financial or accounting officer for the purpose of answering questions respecting recent developments affecting the Servicer or the financial statements of the Servicer (to the extent such information is generally available to the public), and to permit any prospective purchaser, upon reasonable written notice to the Servicer and at a reasonable time during normal hours of operation for the Servicer, to inspect the Servicer’s servicing facilities for the purpose of satisfying such prospective purchaser that the Servicer has the ability to service the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.13.      Reconstitution .

 

(a)           The Servicer and the Owner agree that with respect to some or all of the Mortgage Loans, the Owner may effect one or more Whole Loan Transfers, and/or one or more Securitization Transactions. With respect to each Whole Loan Transfer or Securitization Transaction, as the case may be, entered into by the Owner, the Servicer agrees:

 

(i)            to cooperate fully with the Owner and any prospective purchaser with respect to all reasonable requests and due diligence procedures including participating in meetings with rating agencies, bond insurers and such other parties as the Owner shall designate and participating in meetings with prospective purchasers of the Mortgage Loans or interests therein and providing information reasonably requested by such purchasers;

 

(ii)           to execute all Reconstitution Agreements provided that each of the Servicer and the Owner is given an opportunity to review and reasonably negotiate in good faith the content of such documents not specifically referenced or provided for herein, including the Servicer’s obligations, compensation and rights to finance any

 

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principal and interest advances, servicing advances and purchased mortgage servicing rights with a third party creditor, if applicable;

 

(iii)          to deliver to the Owner for inclusion in any prospectus or other offering material such publicly available information regarding the Servicer, its financial condition and its mortgage loan delinquency, foreclosure and loss experience and any additional information reasonably requested by the Owner (collectively, the “Servicer Information”), and to indemnify the Owner and its affiliates for material misstatements or omissions contained in such information, provided that the Owner shall provide indemnification to the Servicer for material misstatements and omissions contained in such offering material other than the Servicer Information;

 

(iv)          to cooperate with the Owner and any prospective purchaser with respect to the preparation, endorsement, assignment, or delivery, as the case may be, of any of the Mortgage Loan Documents and other related documents, with respect to servicing requirements reasonably requested by the rating agencies and credit enhancers;

 

(v)           to negotiate and execute one or more subservicing agreements between the Servicer and the Owner and/or any master servicer which is generally considered to be a prudent master servicer in the secondary mortgage market, designated by the Owner in its sole discretion and/or one or more custodial and servicing agreements among the Owner, the Servicer and a third party custodian/trustee which is generally considered to be a prudent custodian/trustee in the secondary mortgage market designated by the Owner in its sole discretion, in either case for the purpose of pooling the Mortgage Loans with other mortgage loans for resale or securitization;

 

(vi)          in connection with any securitization of any Mortgage Loans, to execute a pooling and servicing agreement, which pooling and servicing agreement may, at the Owner’s direction, contain contractual provisions including, but not limited to, a customary certificate payment delay, servicer advances of delinquent scheduled payments of principal and interest through liquidation (unless deemed non-recoverable) and prepayment interest shortfalls (to the extent of the monthly servicing fee payable thereto), servicing representations and warranties which in form and substance conform to the representations and warranties in this Agreement and to secondary market standards for securities backed by mortgage loans and property similar to the Mortgage Loans and such provisions with regard to servicing responsibilities, investor reporting, segregation and deposit of principal and interest payments, custody of the Mortgage Loans, and other covenants as are required by the Owner and one or more Rating Agencies. If the Owner deems it advisable at any time to pool the Mortgage Loans with other mortgage loans for the purpose of resale or securitization, the Servicer agrees to execute one or more servicing agreements between itself and a master servicer designated by the Owner at the Owner’s sole discretion, and/or one or more servicing agreements among the Servicer, the Owner and a trustee designated by the Owner at the Owner’s sole discretion, such agreements in each case incorporating terms and provisions substantially identical to those described in this paragraph; and

 

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(vii)         to negotiate and execute a credit risk management agreement with a credit risk manager designated by the Owner at the Owner’s sole discretion.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10.13 or elsewhere in this Agreement, the Servicer shall have no obligation to enter into any agreement obligating the Servicer to service the Mortgage Loans unless such agreement is acceptable to the Servicer in all respects (including, without limitation, matters relating to the obligations imposed on the Servicer thereunder, the compensation to which the Servicer is entitled thereunder and the Servicer’s ability to both make and reimburse itself for servicing advances and principal and interest advances from funds held for future distribution in the related collection account) in the Servicer’s sole and absolute discretion.

 

In the event that the Servicer is not the master servicer, servicer or sub-servicer with respect to a Reconstitution, any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Servicer in connection with the foregoing shall be reimbursed by the Owner after receipt of an invoice therefor and the Owner shall be liable to the Servicer for any applicable Deboarding Fee.  All Mortgage Loans not sold or transferred pursuant to a Whole Loan Transfer or Securitization Transaction shall be subject to this Agreement and shall continue to be serviced in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and with respect thereto this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event that the Servicer is the master servicer, servicer or sub-servicer with respect to a Reconstitution, the Owner agrees that in such Reconstitution (i) the Servicer shall be entitled to servicing compensation at least as favorable as the servicing compensation customarily received by the Servicer in comparable transactions and (ii) the Servicer shall be able to reasonably negotiate any servicing performance triggers required in connection with such Reconstitution.  In the event any terms of the proposed Reconstitution shall materially and adversely affect the economic terms bargained for by the Servicer, then the Owner and the Servicer shall renegotiate in good faith the terms under which the Servicer services the Mortgage Loans to take into account the effects of the Reconstitution and, if in the Servicer’s reasonable judgment a satisfactory adjustment of such terms is not made, the Servicer may resign from the duties imposed by this Agreement with respect to the related Mortgage Loans and shall be paid the Deboarding Fee with respect to such Mortgage Loans subject to the provisions set forth herein. In addition, in the event that any Mortgage Loans are sold in a servicing-released Whole Loan Transfer, the Owner shall pay the Deboarding Fee to the Servicer in connection with such Mortgage Loans subject to the provisions set forth herein.

 

Section 10.14.      Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial .  Each of the Owner and the Servicer hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in the borough of Manhattan and the Federal Courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and any appellate court thereof in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and each of the Owner and the Servicer hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or in such Federal court.  Each of the Owner and the Servicer hereby irrevocably consents to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, to the service of any summons and complaint and any other process by the mailing of copies of

 

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such process to them at their respective address specified in this Agreement.  Each of the Owner and the Servicer hereby agrees, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF THE OWNER AND THE SERVICER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

Section 10.15.      Assignment by the Owner .  Subject to Section 2.03, the Owner shall have the right, without the consent of the Servicer, to assign, in whole or in part, its interest under this Agreement with respect to some or all of the Mortgage Loans and/or REO Properties, and designate any Person to exercise any rights of the Owner hereunder, and the assignee or designee shall accede to the rights, and shall assume all of obligations hereunder, of the Owner with respect to such Mortgage Loans and the REO Properties, including, without limitation the obligation to reimburse the Servicer for any Servicing Advances, with respect to the period following the date of assignment.  All references to the Owner in this Agreement shall be deemed to include its assignee or designee.

 

Section 10.16.      Limitation on Assignment by the Servicer .  The Owner has entered into this Agreement with the Servicer and, if applicable, subsequent purchasers will purchase the Mortgage Loans in reliance upon the independent status of the Servicer, and the representations as to the adequacy of its servicing facilities, plant, personnel, records and procedures, its integrity, reputation and financial standing, and the continuance thereof.  Therefore, the Servicer shall not assign this Agreement or the servicing hereunder or delegate its rights or duties hereunder or any portion hereof without the prior written consent of the Owner, except:  (a) as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, (b) in the case where such assignment, delegation, sale or disposition is to the corporate parent of the Servicer or to an affiliate of the Servicer or (c) the Servicer, without the consent of the Owner, may retain third party contractors to perform certain servicing and loan administration functions, including without limitation, hazard insurance administration, tax payment and administration, flood certification and administration, collection services and similar functions; provided that the retention of such contractors by the Servicer shall not limit the obligation of the Servicer to service the Mortgage Loans pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.17.      Compliance with REMIC Provisions .  If a REMIC election has been made with respect to the arrangement under which the Mortgage Loans and REO Properties are held, the Servicer shall not take any action, cause the REMIC to take any action or fail to take (or fail to cause to be taken) any action that, under the REMIC Provisions, if taken or not taken, as the case may be, could (i) endanger the status of the REMIC as a REMIC or (ii) result in the imposition of a tax upon the REMIC (including but not limited to the tax on “prohibited transactions” as defined in Section 860F(a)(2) of the Code and the tax on “contributions” to a REMIC set forth in Section 860G(d) of the Code) unless the Servicer has received an opinion of counsel (at the expense of the party seeking to take such action) to the effect that the contemplated action will not endanger such REMIC status or result in the imposition of any such tax.

 

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Section 10.18.      Third Party Beneficiary .  For purposes of Section 6.06, any Certifying Party shall be considered a third party beneficiary to Section 6.06 of this Agreement with respect to the related Mortgage Loans, entitled to all the rights and benefits accruing to any Certifying Party as if it were a direct party to this Agreement under such Sections.

 

Section 10.19.      Confidentiality .

 

(a)           In connection with this Agreement, the Servicer on one hand and the Owner on the other, intend to disclose to each other and their respective officers, agents, advisors, directors, representatives and employees (“Representatives”) certain information regarding the operation, businesses, properties, finances, contractual relationships, policies, procedures and practices of the Servicer and its affiliates on one hand and Owner on the other. The terms of this Agreement and any and all such information disclosed by the Servicer and/or its agents or advisors to the Owner or its Representatives on one hand and by the Owner and/or its agents or advisors to the Servicer or its respective Representatives, whether before or after the date of this Agreement and whether oral or written in whatever form provided, is hereinafter referred to as “Confidential Information.” Such Confidential Information shall remain the sole property of the Servicer on one hand and the Owner on the other, as applicable and shall be used and handled in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the term Confidential Information shall not include any such information that is or becomes available on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Servicer on one hand or the Owner on the other or is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of an unauthorized disclosure by the Owner or its Representatives on one hand or the Servicer or its Representatives on the other.

 

(c)           Without the Servicer’s prior written consent, the Owner shall not, or permit any of its Representatives to, disclose to any person or entity the fact that the Servicer has made any Confidential Information available to the Owner, except to the extent that it is appropriate to do so in working with legal counsel, auditors and taxing authorities.

 

(d)           Without the Owner’s prior written consent, the Servicer shall not, or permit any of its Representatives to, disclose to any person or entity the fact that the Owner has made any Confidential Information available to the Servicer, except to the extent that it is appropriate to do so in working with legal counsel, auditors and taxing authorities.

 

(e)           The Owner may disclose any part or portion of the Confidential Information that the Owner is required to disclose pursuant to applicable law, rule, regulation, subpoena, or similar court process; provided that the Owner shall (i) notify, to the extent permitted under law, the Servicer in writing prior to any such disclosure so as to provide the Servicer with a reasonable opportunity to seek to enjoin, prevent, stay or defer such disclosures, (ii) to the extent permissible under law, consult and cooperate with the Servicer as to the content, nature, and timing of such disclosure, and (iii) in the event a protective order or another remedy is not timely obtained, disclose only such part or portion of such Confidential Information as is reasonably required pursuant to such law, rule, regulation, subpoena, or other similar process.  The Owner and its Representatives shall reasonably cooperate with any of the Servicer’s efforts to obtain

 

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reasonable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information so disclosed.

 

(f)            The Servicer may disclose any part or portion of the Confidential Information that the Servicer is required to disclose pursuant to applicable law, rule, regulation, subpoena, or similar court process; provided that the Servicer shall (i) notify, to the extent permitted under law, the Owner in writing prior to any such disclosure so as to provide the Owner with a reasonable opportunity to seek to enjoin, prevent, stay or defer such disclosures, (ii) to the extent permissible under law, consult and cooperate with the Owner as to the content, nature, and timing of such disclosure, and (iii) in the event a protective order or another remedy is not timely obtained, disclose only such part or portion of such Confidential Information as is reasonably required pursuant to such law, rule, regulation, subpoena, or other similar process.  The Servicer and its Representatives shall reasonably cooperate with any of the Owner’s efforts to obtain reasonable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information so disclosed.

 

(g)           The Owner on one hand and the Servicer on the other, acknowledge that money damages may not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Section 10.19 by the other party or their Representatives.  Accordingly, in the event of any such breach of this Section 10.19, in addition to any other remedies at law or in equity that the Servicer may have on one hand and the Owner may have on the other, the other party shall be entitled to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief or specific performance or both.

 

(h)           Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Servicer or the Owner (or any officers, agents, advisors, directors, representatives and employees of the Servicer or the Owner) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all materials of any kind that are provided to it relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.

 

(i)            Each party’s obligations under this Section 10.19 shall terminate not later than six (6) months after the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.20.      Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts. Each counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed signature page by facsimile shall constitute delivery of an original signature for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION AB

 

Section 11.01.      Intent of the Parties; Reasonableness .  The Owner and the Servicer acknowledge and agree that the purpose of Article XI of this Agreement is to facilitate compliance by the Owner and any Depositor with the provisions of Regulation AB and related rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Although Regulation AB is applicable by its terms only to offerings of asset-backed securities that are

 

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registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Servicer acknowledges that investors in privately offered securities may require that the Servicer or any Depositor provide comparable disclosure in unregistered offerings.  References in this Agreement to compliance with Regulation AB include provision of comparable disclosure in private offerings.

 

Neither the Owner nor any Depositor shall exercise its right to request delivery of information or other performance under these provisions other than in good faith, or for purposes other than compliance with the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and, in each case, the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (or the provision in a private offering of disclosure comparable to that required under the Securities Act) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Servicer acknowledges that interpretations of the requirements of Regulation AB may change over time, whether due to interpretive guidance provided by the Commission or its staff, consensus among participants in the asset-backed securities markets, advice of counsel, or otherwise, and agrees to comply with reasonable requests made by the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor in good faith for delivery of information under these provisions on the basis of established and evolving interpretations of Regulation AB. In connection with any Securitization Transaction, the Servicer shall reasonably cooperate with the Owner and any Master Servicer to deliver to the Owner (including any of its assignees or designees), any Master Servicer and any Depositor, any and all statements, reports, certifications, records and any other information necessary in the good faith determination of the Owner, the Master Servicer or any Depositor to permit the Owner, such Master Servicer or such Depositor to comply with the provisions of Regulation AB, together with such disclosures relating to the Servicer, any Subservicer and the Mortgage Loans, or the servicing of the Mortgage Loans, reasonably believed by the Owner or any Depositor to be necessary in order to effect such compliance.

 

The Owner (including any of its assignees or designees) shall cooperate with the Servicer by providing timely written notice of requests for information under these provisions and by reasonably limiting such requests to information required, in the Owner’s reasonable judgment, to comply with Regulation AB.

 

The Owner and the Servicer also acknowledge and agree Section 11.02(a)(i)-(v), Section 11.03(d) and (e), Section 11.04, Section 11.05 and Section 11.06 of this Reg AB Addendum shall only be applicable with respect to any Mortgage Loan if the Servicer (or Subservicer, if any) services such Mortgage Loan for a period following the closing date of a related Securitization Transaction.  The Owner and the Servicer also acknowledge and agree that this Article XI is intended to supplement the terms of the Agreement and, to the extent inconsistent, the rights and obligations under the Agreement shall continue to apply with respect to any Reconstitution (as defined herein) that is not covered by the definition of “Securitization Transfer” herein.

 

Any notice or request that must be “in writing” or “written” may be made by electronic mail.

 

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Section 11.02.                    Additional Representations and Warranties of the Servicer .

 

(a)                                  The Servicer shall be deemed to represent to the Owner, to any Master Servicer and to any Depositor, as of the date on which information is first provided to the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor under Section 11.03 that, except as disclosed in writing to the Owner, such Master Servicer or such Depositor prior to such date: (i) the Servicer is not aware and has not received notice that any default, early amortization or other performance triggering event has occurred during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction as to any other securitization due to any act or failure to act of the Servicer; (ii) the Servicer has not been terminated as servicer in a residential loan securitization, either due to a servicing default or to application of a servicing performance test or trigger during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction; (iii) no material noncompliance with the applicable servicing criteria with respect to other securitizations of residential mortgage loans involving the Servicer as servicer has been disclosed or reported by the Servicer; (iv) no material changes to the Servicer’s policies or procedures with respect to the servicing function it will perform under this Agreement and any Reconstitution Agreement for loans of a type similar to the Mortgage Loans have occurred during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction; (v) there are no aspects of the Servicer’s financial condition that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance by the Servicer of its servicing obligations under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement; (vi) there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending (or known to be contemplated) against the Servicer or any Subservicer that would be material to securityholders; and (vii) there are no affiliations, relationships or transactions relating to the Servicer or any Subservicer with respect to any Securitization Transaction and any party thereto identified by the related Depositor of a type described in Item 1119 of Regulation AB.

 

(b)                                  If so requested in writing by the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor on any date following the date on which information is first provided to the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor under Section 11.03, the Servicer shall use its reasonable best efforts to, within ten (10) Business Days following such request, confirm in writing the accuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 11.02 or, if any such representation and warranty is not accurate as of the date of such request, provide reasonably adequate disclosure of the pertinent facts, in writing, to the requesting party.

 

Section 11.03.                    Information to Be Provided by the Servicer .  In connection with any Securitization Transaction, the Servicer shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) within five (5) Business Days, but in no event later than ten (10) Business Days following written request by the Owner or any Depositor, provide to the Owner and such Depositor (or, as applicable, cause each Subservicer to provide), in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owner and such Depositor, the information and materials specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (e) of this Section, and (ii) as promptly as practicable following notice to or discovery by the Servicer, provide to the Owner and any Depositor (in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owner and such Depositor) the information specified in paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

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(a)                                  If so requested in writing by the Owner or any Depositor, the Servicer shall provide such information regarding (i) the Servicer or (ii) each Subservicer, as applicable, as is reasonably requested for the purpose of compliance with Item 1103(a)(1).

 

(b)                                  If so requested in writing by the Owner or any Depositor with respect to any Securitization Transaction for which 20% or more of the pool assets (measured by cut-off date principal balance) are serviced by the Servicer and any Subservicer, the Servicer shall provide such information regarding the Servicer, as servicer of the Mortgage Loans, and each Subservicer (each of the Servicer and each Subservicer, for purposes of this paragraph, a “ Servicer ”), as is reasonably requested for the purpose of compliance with Item 1108, 1117 and 1119 of Regulation AB.  Such information shall include, at a minimum:

 

(A)                                the Servicer’s form of organization;

 

(B)                                a description of how long the Servicer has been servicing residential mortgage loans; a general discussion of the Servicer’s experience in servicing assets of any type as well as a more detailed discussion of the Servicer’s experience in, and procedures for, the servicing function it will perform under this Agreement and any Reconstitution Agreements; information regarding the size, composition and growth of the Servicer’s portfolio of residential mortgage loans of a type similar to the Mortgage Loans and information on factors related to the Servicer that may be material, in the good faith judgment of the Owner or any Depositor, to any analysis of the servicing of the Mortgage Loans or the related asset-backed securities, as applicable, including, without limitation:

 

(1)                                  whether any prior securitizations of mortgage loans of a type similar to the Mortgage Loans involving the Servicer have defaulted or experienced an early amortization or other performance triggering event because of servicing during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction;

 

(2)                                  the extent of outsourcing the Servicer utilizes;

 

(3)                                  whether there has been previous disclosure of material noncompliance with the applicable servicing criteria with respect to other securitizations of residential mortgage loans involving the Servicer as a servicer during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction;

 

(4)                                  whether the Servicer has been terminated as servicer in a residential mortgage loan securitization, either due to a servicing default or to application of a servicing performance test or trigger; and

 

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(5)                                  such other information as the Owner or any Depositor may reasonably request for the purpose of compliance with Item 1108(b)(2) of Regulation AB;

 

(C)                                a description of any material changes during the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction to the Servicer’s policies or procedures with respect to the servicing function it will perform under this Agreement and any Reconstitution Agreements for mortgage loans of a type similar to the Mortgage Loans;

 

(D)                                information regarding the Servicer’s financial condition, to the extent that there is a material risk that an adverse financial event or circumstance involving the Servicer could have a material adverse effect on the performance by the Servicer of its servicing obligations under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement;

 

(E)                                 information regarding advances made by the Servicer on the Mortgage Loans and the Servicer’s overall servicing portfolio of residential mortgage loans for the three-year period immediately preceding the related Securitization Transaction, which may be limited to a statement by an authorized officer of the Servicer to the effect that the Servicer has made all advances required to be made on residential mortgage loans serviced by it during such period, or, if such statement would not be accurate, information regarding the percentage and type of advances not made as required, and the reasons for such failure to advance;

 

(F)                                  a description of the Servicer’s processes and procedures designed to address any special or unique factors involved in servicing loans of a similar type as the Mortgage Loans;

 

(G)                                a description of the Servicer’s processes for handling delinquencies, losses, bankruptcies and recoveries, such as through liquidation of mortgaged properties, sale of defaulted mortgage loans or workouts;

 

(H)                               information as to how the Servicer defines or determines delinquencies and charge-offs, including the effect of any grace period, re-aging, restructuring, partial payments considered current or other practices with respect to delinquency and loss experience;

 

(I)                                    a description of any legal or governmental proceedings pending (or known to be contemplated) against the Servicer that would be material to securityholders; and

 

(J)                                    a description of any affiliation or relationship between the Servicer and any of the following parties to a Securitization Transaction, as such parties are identified to the Servicer by the Owner or any Depositor in writing in advance of such Securitization Transaction:

 

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(1)                                  the sponsor;

 

(2)                                  the depositor;

 

(3)                                  the issuing entity;

 

(4)                                  any servicer;

 

(5)                                  any trustee;

 

(6)                                  any originator;

 

(7)                                  any significant obligor;

 

(8)                                  any enhancement or support provider; and

 

(9)                                  any other material transaction party.

 

(c)                                   For the purpose of satisfying the reporting obligation under the Exchange Act with respect to any class of asset-backed securities, the Servicer shall (or shall cause each Subservicer to) (i) provide prompt notice to the Owner, any Master Servicer and any Depositor in writing of (A) any litigation or governmental proceedings involving the Servicer or any Subservicer that would be material to securityholders and (B) any affiliations or relationships that develop following the closing date of a Securitization Transaction between the Servicer or any Subservicer and any of the parties specified in clause (J) of paragraph (b) of this Section 11.03 (and any other parties identified in writing by the requesting party) with respect to such Securitization Transaction, (C) any Event of Default under the terms of this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement, (D) any merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Servicer, and (E) the Servicer’s entry into an agreement with a Subservicer to perform or assist in the performance of any of the Servicer’s obligations under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement, and (ii) provide to the Owner and any Depositor a description of such proceedings, affiliations or relationships.

 

(d)                                  As a condition to the succession to the Servicer or any Subservicer as servicer or subservicer under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement by any Person (i) into which the Servicer or such Subservicer may be merged or consolidated, or (ii) which may be appointed as a successor to the Servicer or any Subservicer, the Servicer shall provide to the Owner and any Depositor, at least 15 calendar days prior to the effective date of such succession or appointment, (x) written notice to the Owner and any Depositor of such succession or appointment and (y) in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owner and such Depositor, all information reasonably requested in writing by the Owner or any Depositor in order to comply with its reporting obligation under Item 6.02 of Form 8-K with respect to any class of asset-backed securities.

 

(e)                                   In addition to such information as the Servicer, as servicer, is obligated to provide pursuant to other provisions of this Agreement, not later than ten days prior to the deadline for the filing of any distribution report on Form 10-D in respect of any Securitization Transaction that includes any of the Mortgage Loans serviced by the Servicer or any Subservicer, the

 

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Servicer or such Subservicer, as applicable, shall, to the extent such Servicer or Subservicer has knowledge, provide to the party responsible for filing such report (including, if applicable, the Master Servicer) notice of the occurrence of any of the following events along with all information, data, and materials related thereto as may be required to be included in the related distribution report on Form 10-D (as specified in the provisions of Regulation AB referenced below):

 

(i)                                      any material modifications, extensions or waivers of pool asset terms, fees, penalties or payments during the distribution period or that have cumulatively become material over time (Item 1121(a)(11) of Regulation AB);

 

(ii)                                   material breaches of pool asset representations or warranties or transaction covenants (Item 1121(a)(12) of Regulation AB); and

 

(iii)                                information regarding any material pool asset changes (such as, additions, substitutions or repurchases)  (Item 1121(a)(14) of Regulation AB).

 

(f)                                    The Servicer shall provide to the Owner, any Master Servicer and any Depositor, such additional information as such party may reasonably request, including evidence of the authorization of the person signing any certification or statement, financial information and reports, and such other information related to the Servicer or any Subservicer or the Servicer’s or such Subservicer’s performance hereunder.

 

Section 11.04.                    Servicer Compliance Statement .  On or before March 15 th  of each calendar year, commencing in 200[    ], the Servicer shall deliver to the Owner, any Master Servicer and any Depositor a statement of compliance addressed to the Owner, such Master Servicer and such Depositor and signed by an authorized officer of the Servicer, to the effect that (i) a review of the Servicer’s activities during the immediately preceding calendar year (or applicable portion thereof) and of its performance under this Agreement and any applicable Reconstitution Agreement during such period has been made under such officer’s supervision, and (ii) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Servicer has fulfilled all of its obligations under this Agreement and any applicable Reconstitution Agreement in all material respects throughout such calendar year (or applicable portion thereof) or, if there has been a failure to fulfill any such obligation in any material respect, specifically identifying each such failure known to such officer and the nature and the status thereof.

 

Section 11.05.                    Report on Assessment of Compliance and Attestation .

 

(a)                                  On or before March 15 th  of each calendar year, commencing in 200[    ], the Servicer shall:

 

(i)                                      deliver to the Owner, any Master Servicer and any Depositor a report regarding the Servicer’s assessment of compliance with the Servicing Criteria during the immediately preceding calendar year, as required under Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 of the Exchange Act and Item 1122 of Regulation AB.  Such report shall be addressed to the Owner, such Master Servicer and such Depositor and signed by an authorized officer of the Servicer, and shall address each of the “Applicable Servicing Criteria” specified on Exhibit L hereto;

 

57



 

(ii)                                   deliver to the Owner, any Master Servicer and any Depositor a report of a registered public accounting firm that attests to, and reports on, the assessment of compliance made by the Servicer and delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph.  Such attestation shall be in accordance with Rules 1-02(a)(3) and 2-02(g) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;

 

(iii)                                cause each Subservicer, to deliver to the Owner, any Master Servicer and any Depositor an assessment of compliance and accountants’ attestation as and when provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 11.05 and, to the extent required of such Subservicer or such Subcontractor under Item 1123 of Regulation AB, an annual compliance certificate as and when required under Section 11.04; and

 

(iv)                               if requested by the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor not later than March 15 th  of the calendar year in which such certification is to be delivered, deliver to the Owner, any Master Servicer, any Depositor and any other Person that will be responsible for signing the certification (a “ Sarbanes Certification ”) required by Rules 13a-14(d) and 15d-14(d) under the Exchange Act (pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) on behalf of an asset-backed issuer with respect to a Securitization Transaction a certification, signed by the appropriate officer of the Servicer, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I .

 

The Servicer acknowledges that the parties identified in clause (a)(iv) above may rely on the certification provided by the Servicer pursuant to such clause in signing a Sarbanes Certification and filing such with the Commission.

 

None of the Owner, any Master Servicer nor any Depositor will request delivery of a certification under clause (a)(iv) above unless a Depositor or Master Servicer is required under the Exchange Act to file an annual report on Form 10-K with respect to an issuing entity whose asset pool includes Mortgage Loans.

 

(b)                                  Each assessment of compliance provided by a Subservicer pursuant to Section 11.05(a)(iii) shall address each of the Servicing Criteria specified on a certification substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto.  An assessment of compliance provided by a Subcontractor pursuant to Section 11.05(a)(iii) need not address any elements of the Servicing Criteria other than those specified by the Servicer pursuant to Section 11.06.

 

Section 11.06.                    Use of Subservicers and Subcontractors .  The Servicer shall not hire or otherwise utilize the services of any Subservicer to fulfill any of the obligations of the Servicer as servicer under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement unless the Servicer complies with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 11.06. The Servicer shall not hire or otherwise utilize the services of any Subcontractor, and shall not permit any Subservicer to hire or otherwise utilize the services of any such Subcontractor, to fulfill any of the obligations of the Servicer as servicer under this Agreement or any Reconstitution Agreement unless the Servicer complies with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 11.06.

 

(a)                                  It shall not be necessary for the Servicer to seek the consent of the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor to the utilization of any Subservicer.  The Servicer shall cause

 

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any Subservicer used by the Servicer (or by any Subservicer) for the benefit of the Owner and any Depositor to comply with the provisions of this Section 11.06 and with Sections 11.02, 11.03(d), 11.04, 11.05 and 11.07 of this Agreement to the same extent as if such Subservicer were the Servicer, and to provide the information required with respect to such Subservicer under Section 11.03(d), (e) and (f) of this Agreement.  The Servicer shall be responsible for obtaining from each Subservicer and delivering to the Owner and any Depositor any servicer compliance statement required to be delivered by such Subservicer under Section 11.04, any assessment of compliance and attestation required to be delivered by such Subservicer under Section 11.05 and any certification required to be delivered to the Person that will be responsible for signing the Sarbanes Certification under Section 11.05 as and when required to be delivered.

 

(b)                                  It shall not be necessary for the Servicer to seek the consent of the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor to the utilization of any Subcontractor.  The Servicer shall promptly upon written request provide to the Owner, any Master Servicer and any Depositor (or any designee of the Depositor, such as an administrator) a written description (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Owner, such Master Servicer and such Depositor) of the role and function of each Subcontractor utilized by the Servicer or any Subservicer, specifying (i) the identity of each such Subcontractor that is “participating in the servicing function” within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB and (ii) which elements of the Servicing Criteria will be addressed in assessments of compliance provided by each Subcontractor identified pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph.

 

As a condition to the utilization of any Subcontractor determined to be “participating in the servicing function” within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, the Servicer shall cause any such Subcontractor used by the Servicer (or by any Subservicer) for the benefit of the Owner and any Depositor to comply with the provisions of Sections 11.05 and 11.07 of this Agreement to the same extent as if such Subcontractor were the Servicer.  The Servicer shall be responsible for obtaining from each Subcontractor and delivering to the Owner and any Depositor any assessment of compliance and attestation and the other certifications required to be delivered by such Subcontractor under Section 11.05, in each case as and when required to be delivered.

 

Section 11.07.                    Indemnification; Remedies .

 

(a)                                  The Servicer shall indemnify the Owner and each of the following parties participating in a Securitization Transaction: each Sponsor; each Person (including, but not limited to, any Master Servicer if applicable) responsible for the preparation, execution or filing of any report required to be filed with the Commission with respect to such Securitization Transaction, or for execution of a certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(d) or Rule 15d-14(d) under the Exchange Act with respect to such Securitization Transaction; each broker dealer acting as underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser, each Person who controls any of such parties or the Depositor (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act); and the respective present and former directors and officers of each of the foregoing and of the Depositor (each, an “Indemnified Party”), and shall hold each of them harmless from and against any claims, losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and expenses and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that any of them may sustain arising out of or based upon:

 

59



 

(i)                                      (A) any untrue statement of a material fact contained or alleged to be contained in any information, report, certification, data, accountants’ letter or other material provided in written or electronic form under this Article XI by or on behalf of the Servicer, or provided under this Article XI by or on behalf of any Subservicer or Subcontractor (collectively, the “ Servicer Information ”), or (B) the omission or alleged omission to state in the Servicer Information a material fact required to be stated in the Servicer Information or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, by way of clarification, that clause (B) of this paragraph shall be construed solely by reference to the Servicer Information and not to any other information communicated in connection with a sale or purchase of securities, without regard to whether the Servicer Information or any portion thereof is presented together with or separately from such other information;

 

(ii)                                   any breach by the Servicer of its obligations under this Article XII, including particularly any failure by the Servicer, any Subservicer or any Subcontractor to deliver any information, report, certification, accountants’ letter or other material when and as required under this Article XI, including any failure by the Servicer to identify pursuant to Section 11.06(b) any Subcontractor “participating in the servicing function” within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB;

 

(iii)                                any breach by the Servicer of a representation or warranty set forth in Section 11.02(a) or in a writing furnished pursuant to Section 11.02(b) and made as of a date prior to the closing date of the related Securitization Transaction, to the extent that such breach is not cured by such closing date, or any breach by the Servicer of a representation or warranty in a writing furnished pursuant to Section 11.02(b) to the extent made as of a date subsequent to such closing date; or

 

(iv)                               the negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Servicer in connection with its performance under this Article XI.

 

If the indemnification provided for herein is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Party, then the Servicer agrees that it shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of any claims, losses, damages or liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of such Indemnified Party on the one hand and the Servicer on the other.

 

In the case of any failure of performance described in clause (a)(ii) of this Section 11.07, the Servicer shall promptly reimburse the Owner, any Depositor, as applicable, and each Person responsible for the preparation, execution or filing of any report required to be filed with the Commission with respect to such Securitization Transaction, or for execution of a certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(d) or Rule 15d-14(d) under the Exchange Act with respect to such Securitization Transaction, for all costs reasonably incurred by each such party in order to obtain the information, report, certification, accountants’ letter or other material not delivered as required by the Servicer, any Subservicer or any Subcontractor.

 

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This indemnification shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the termination of any party to this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  (i)                                      Any failure by the Servicer, any Subservicer or any Subcontractor to deliver any information, report, certification, accountants’ letter or other material when and as required under this Article XI, or any breach by the Servicer of a representation or warranty set forth in Section 11.02(a) or in a writing furnished pursuant to Section 11.02(b) and made as of a date prior to the closing date of the related Securitization Transaction, to the extent that such breach is not cured by such closing date, or any breach by the Servicer of a representation or warranty in a writing furnished pursuant to Section 11.02(b) to the extent made as of a date subsequent to such closing date, shall, except as provided in clause (ii) of this paragraph, immediately and automatically, without notice or grace period, constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Servicer under the Agreement and any applicable Reconstitution Agreement, and shall entitle the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor, as applicable, in its sole discretion to terminate the rights and obligations of the Servicer as servicer under the Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement without payment (notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement to the contrary) of any compensation to the Servicer and if the Servicer is servicing any of the Mortgage Loans in a Securitization Transaction, appoint a successor servicer reasonably acceptable to any Master Servicer of such Securitization Transaction; provided that to the extent that any provision of the Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement expressly provides for the survival of certain rights or obligations following termination of the Servicer as servicer, such provision shall be given effect.

 

(ii)                                   Any failure by the Servicer, any Subservicer or any Subcontractor to deliver any information, report, certification or accountants’ letter when and as required under Section 11.04 or 11.05, including (except as provided below) any failure by the Servicer to identify pursuant to Section 11.06(b) any Subcontractor “participating in the servicing function” within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, which continues unremedied for ten (10) calendar days after the date on which such information, report, certification or accountants’ letter was required to be delivered shall constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Servicer under the Agreement and any applicable Reconstitution Agreement, and shall entitle the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor, as applicable, in its sole discretion to terminate the rights and obligations of the Servicer as servicer under the Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement without payment (notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary) of any compensation to the Servicer; provided that to the extent that any provision of the Agreement and/or any applicable Reconstitution Agreement expressly provides for the survival of certain rights or obligations following termination of the Servicer as servicer, such provision shall be given effect.

 

None of the Owner, any Master Servicer or any Depositor shall be entitled to terminate the rights and obligations of the Servicer pursuant to this subparagraph (b)(ii) if a failure of the Servicer to identify a Subcontractor “participating in the servicing function” within the meaning of Item 1122 of Regulation AB was attributable solely to the role or functions of such Subcontractor with respect to mortgage loans other than the Mortgage Loans.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in this Agreement, the Servicer shall not be obligated to provide any indemnification or reimbursement hereunder to any of the parties described in Section 11.07(a) or any other party for any losses, damages, penalties, fines, forfeitures, legal fees and expenses and related costs, judgments, and any other costs, fees and expenses that any of them may sustain where are indirect, consequential, punitive or special in nature.

 

(iii)                                The Servicer shall promptly reimburse the Owner (or any designee of the Owner, such as a master servicer) and any Depositor, as applicable, for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Owner (or such designee) or such Depositor, as such are incurred, in connection with the termination of the Servicer as servicer and the transfer of servicing of the Mortgage Loans to a successor servicer.

 

Section 11.08.                    Third Party Beneficiary .  For purposes of this Article XI and any related provisions thereto, each Master Servicer shall be considered a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement, entitled to all the rights and benefits hereof as if it were a direct party to this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREFORE, this Agreement has been executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Ocwen - ALTRES SSRPA]

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE

 

The Mortgage Loan Schedule shall include the following fields to the extent applicable and available:

 

(1)                                  the Mortgage Loan identifying number;

 

(2)                                  the Mortgagor’s first and last name;

 

(3)                                  the street address of the Mortgaged Property including the state and zip code;

 

(4)                                  a code indicating whether the Mortgaged Property is owner-occupied;

 

(5)                                  the type of residential dwelling constituting the Mortgaged Property;

 

(6)                                  the original months to maturity;

 

(7)                                  the original date of the Mortgage Loan and the remaining months to maturity from the Cut-off Date, based on the original amortization schedule;

 

(8)                                  as to any Mortgage Loan the Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination;

 

(9)                                  the Mortgage Interest Rate in effect immediately following the Cut-off Date;

 

(10)                           the date on which the first Monthly Payment was due on the Mortgage Loan;

 

(11)                           the stated maturity date;

 

(12)                           the amount of the Monthly Payment at origination;

 

(13)                           the amount of the Monthly Payment as of the Cut-off Date;

 

(14)                           the original principal amount of the Mortgage Loan;

 

(15)                           the stated principal balance of the Mortgage Loan as of the close of business on the Cut-off Date;

 

(16)                           with respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the first Adjustment Date;

 

(17)                           with respect to each adjustable rate Mortgage Loan, the Gross Margin;

 

(18)                           a code indicating the purpose of the loan (i.e., purchase financing, rate/term refinancing, cash-out refinancing);

 

(19)                           with respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the maximum Mortgage Interest Rate under the terms of the Mortgage Note;

 

A-1



 

(20)                           with respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the minimum Mortgage Interest Rate under the terms of the Mortgage Note;

 

(21)                           the Mortgage Interest Rate at origination;

 

(22)                           with respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the periodic rate cap;

 

(23)                           with respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the first Adjustment Date immediately following the Cut-off Date;

 

(24)                           with respect to each Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan, the index;

 

(25)                           the date on which the first Monthly Payment was due on the Mortgage Loan and, if such date is not consistent with the due date currently in effect, such due date;

 

(26)                           a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan or a Fixed Rate Mortgage Loan;

 

(27)                           a code indicating the documentation style (i.e., full, alternative or reduced);

 

(28)                           a code indicating if the Mortgage Loan is subject to a primary insurance policy;

 

(29)                           the appraised value of the Mortgaged Property;

 

(30)                           the sale price of the Mortgaged Property, if applicable;

 

(31)                           a code indicating whether the Mortgage Loan is subject to a Prepayment Charge;

 

(32)                           the term of any Prepayment Charge;

 

(33)                           the amount of any Prepayment Charge;

 

(34)                           the product type (e.g., 2/28, 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, etc.);

 

(35)                           the Mortgagor’s debt to income ratio;

 

(36)                           a code indicating that the Mortgaged Property is subject to a first lien; and

 

(37)                           the MERS identification number, if applicable.

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT LETTER AGREEMENT

(Date)

 

To:                             
                                                           
                                                            
(the “Depository”)

 

As the “Servicer” under the Servicing Agreement, dated as of [                            ]    , 200[  ], by and between [NAME OF OWNER] and Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (the “Agreement”), we hereby authorize and request you to establish an account, as a Custodial Account pursuant to Section 4.04 of the Agreement, to be designated as “Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, Custodial Account in trust for [                                                          ] - Residential Mortgage Loans.”  All deposits in the account shall be subject to withdrawal therefrom by order signed by the Servicer.  This letter is submitted to you in duplicate.  Please execute and return one original to us.

 

 

OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

The undersigned, as “Depository,” hereby certifies that the above described account has been established under Account Number                                       , at the office of the depository indicated above, and agrees to honor withdrawals on such account as provided above.

 

 

[Name of Depository]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

B-1



 

EXHIBIT C

 

ESCROW ACCOUNT LETTER AGREEMENT

(date)

 

To:                             
                                                            
                                                           
(the “Depository”)

 

As the “Servicer” under the Servicing Agreement, dated as of [                            ]    , 200[  ], by and between [NAME OF OWNER] and Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (the “Agreement”), we hereby authorize and request you to establish an account, as an Escrow Account pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Agreement, to be designated as “Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, Escrow Account in trust for [                                                        ] - Residential Mortgage Loans and various Mortgagors.”  All deposits in the account shall be subject to withdrawal therefrom by order signed by the Servicer.  This letter is submitted to you in duplicate.  Please execute and return one original to us.

 

 

OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

The undersigned, as “Depository,” hereby certifies that the above described account has been established under Account Number                                       , at the office of the depository indicated above, and agrees to honor withdrawals on such account as provided above.

 

 

[Name of Depository]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

C-1



 

EXHIBIT D

 

CONTENTS OF EACH MORTGAGE SERVICING FILE

 

With respect to each Mortgage Loan, the Mortgage Servicing File shall include each of the following items, to the extent such items were delivered to the Servicer, which shall be available for inspection by the Owner or such other party designated by the Owner:

 

1.                                       Copies of the Mortgage Loan Documents.

 

2.                                       Residential loan application.

 

3.                                       Mortgage Loan closing statement.

 

4.                                       Verification of employment and income.

 

5.                                       Verification of acceptable evidence of source and amount of down payment.

 

6.                                       Credit report on Mortgagor.

 

7.                                       Residential appraisal report.

 

8.                                       Photograph of the Mortgaged Property.

 

9.                                       Survey of the Mortgaged Property.

 

10.                                Copy of each instrument necessary to complete identification of any exception set forth in the exception schedule in the title policy, i.e., map or plat, restrictions, easements, sewer agreements, home association declarations, etc.

 

11.                                All required disclosure statements and statement of Mortgagor confirming receipt thereof.

 

12.                                If available, termite report, structural engineer’s report, water potability and septic certification.

 

13.                                Sales contract.

 

14.                                Hazard insurance policy.

 

15.                                Tax receipts, insurance premium receipts, ledger sheets, payment history from date of origination, insurance claim files, correspondence, current and historical computerized data files, and all other processing, underwriting and closing papers and records which are customarily contained in a mortgage loan file and which are required to document the Mortgage Loan or to service the Mortgage Loan.

 

16.                                Amortization schedule, if available.

 

17.                                Payment history for Mortgage Loans.

 

D-1



 

EXHIBIT E

 

MONTHLY REPORT AND DELINQUENCY REPORT

 

[TO BE DELIVERED AS SEPARATE EXCEL FILE]

 

E-1



 

EXHIBIT F

 

FORM OF POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

[NAME OF OWNER], a national banking association, having its principal place of business at [                                                                                            ], as the Owner (hereinafter called the “Owner”) hereby appoints Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC (hereinafter called “Ocwen”), as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact to act in the name, place and stead of the Owner for the purposes set forth below.

 

The said attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, are hereby authorized, and empowered, as follows:

 

1.                                       To execute, acknowledge, seal and deliver deed of trust/mortgage note endorsements, lost note affidavits, assignments of deed of trust/mortgage and other recorded documents, satisfactions/releases/reconveyances of deed of trust/mortgage, subordinations and modifications, tax authority notifications and declarations, deeds, bills of sale, and other instruments of sale, conveyance, and transfer, appropriately completed, with all ordinary or necessary endorsements, acknowledgments, affidavits, and supporting documents as may be necessary or appropriate to effect its execution, delivery, conveyance, recordation or filing.

 

2.                                       To execute and deliver insurance filings and claims, affidavits of debt, substitutions of trustee, substitutions of counsel, non-military affidavits, notices of rescission, foreclosure deeds, transfer tax affidavits, affidavits of merit, verifications of complaints, notices to quit, bankruptcy declarations for the purpose of filing motions to lift stays, and other documents or notice filings on behalf of the Owner in connection with insurance, foreclosure, bankruptcy and eviction actions.

 

3.                                       To endorse any checks or other instruments received by Ocwen and made payable to the Owner.

 

4.                                       To pursue any deficiency, debt or other obligation, secured or unsecured, including but not limited to those arising from foreclosure or other sale, promissory note or check.  This power also authorizes Ocwen to collect, negotiate or otherwise settle any deficiency claim, including interest and attorney’s fees.

 

5.                                       To do any other act or complete any other document that arises in the normal course of servicing of all Mortgage Loans and REO Properties, as defined in, and subject to the terms of, the Servicing Agreement, by and between Ocwen and the Owner, dated as of [                            ]    , 200[  ].

 

In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Servicing Agreement and the terms hereof, the provisions of the Servicing Agreement shall control, and this Limited Power of Attorney does not constitute a waiver of any provisions of the Servicing Agreement.

 

F-1



 

Dated:                        , 200  .

 

[                                                                          ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Witness:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

F-2



 

State of [                ])

:        ss

County of                       )

 

BEFORE ME,                                               , a Notary Public in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, on this              day of                                     , 200  , personally appeared                                                    who resides at                                                               and who is personally known to me (or sufficiently proven) to be a                                                    and the person who executed the foregoing instrument by virtue of the authority vested in him/her and he/she did acknowledge the signing of the foregoing instrument to be his/her free and voluntary act and deed as a                                                   , for the uses, purposes and consideration therein set forth.

 

Witness my hand and official seal this            day of                               , 200  .

 

 

 

 

 

NOTARY STAMP

 

 

My Commission Expires:

 

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EXHIBIT G

 

LIST OF TAX SERVICE CONTRACT PROVIDERS

 

First American Real Estate Tax Service

 

LSI Tax Service

 

G-1



 

EXHIBIT H

 

SERVICING TRANSFER PROCEDURES

 

A .             Prior to each Servicing Transfer Date:

 

1 .              The Owner or the prior servicer shall inform all hazard, flood, earthquake, private mortgage and any other insurance companies and/or their agents providing insurance with respect to any Mortgage Loan of the transfer and request a change in the loss payee mortgage endorsement clause to the Servicer’s name.  With respect to each Mortgage Loan which is covered by a force placed insurance policy, the Owner or the prior servicer shall cause such policy to be canceled as of the Servicing Transfer Date and the Servicer shall cause such insurance to be provided by its force placed carrier as of such Servicing Transfer Date.  On the Servicing Transfer Date, the Owner or the prior servicer shall provide to the Servicer a list of all Mortgage Loans covered by force placed insurance that will be canceled in connection with the transfer of the servicing to the Servicer.  The Owner or the prior servicer shall deliver all force placed cancellation refunds via wire or check with applicable loan level detail within five (5) Business Days after the Servicing Transfer Date.

 

2 .              The Owner or the prior servicer shall transfer all transferable life-of-loan real estate tax service contracts on the Mortgage Loans to the extent such contracts are in place, and shall assign and transfer all such contracts to the Servicer at no expense to the Servicer. In the event that a Mortgage Loan is not subject to a fully assignable life of loan tax service contract issued by a tax service contract provider listed on Exhibit G to the Agreement which is assignable to the Servicer or any subsequent Servicer without the payment of any cost or fee, the Servicer shall acquire a tax service contract for any such Mortgage Loan and shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Owner for the cost thereof.  The Owner also agrees to reimburse the Servicer for its actual cost in obtaining life of loan flood zone determination tracking from First American Flood Data Services with respect to Mortgage Loans transferred to the Servicing Portfolio without such tracking service.

 

3 .              The Owner shall, no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the Servicing Transfer Date, cause the prior servicer to inform all Mortgagors of the change in servicer from the Owner (or its designee) to the Servicer by written notice in accordance with applicable law; provided, however, the content and format of such letters shall have the prior approval of the Servicer.  The Owner or the prior servicer shall promptly provide the Servicer with copies of all such notices.

 

4 .              The Owner or the prior servicer shall pay all private mortgage insurance premiums and all hazard, flood, earthquake and other insurance premiums for insurance covering any of the Mortgage Loans, and real estate taxes for which bills have been received by the Owner or the prior servicer prior to the Servicing Transfer Date, on all Mortgage Loans with impound/escrow accounts, to the extent such premiums or taxes would be delinquent if unpaid within thirty (30) days after the Servicing Transfer Date.  The Owner or the prior servicer will send to the Servicer, and the Servicer will pay, any bills received by the Owner or the prior servicer on or after the Servicing Transfer Date, and any such bills received by the Owner or the prior servicer prior to the Servicing Transfer Date, which the Owner or the prior servicer is not required to pay pursuant to this subparagraph.

 

H-1



 

5 .              The Owner or the prior servicer shall deliver to the Servicer available computer or like records of the Owner and the prior servicer which contain each item of information specified in Exhibit A to the Agreement and reflect the status of payments, balances and other pertinent information on the Mortgage Loans as of the Servicing Transfer Date (such information shall include, but not be limited to, comprehensive tax and insurance information for each Mortgage Loan, identifying payee, payee address, next payment due date, next amount payable, policy number/parcel number).  Such records shall include magnetic tapes, if available, reflecting all computer files maintained by the Owner and the prior servicer with respect to the Mortgage Loans, shall include hard copy trial balance reports and schedules if requested and, as reasonably required by the Servicer, shall be in a format and storage medium acceptable for conversion to the Servicer’s servicing computer system, and shall be delivered within one (1) Business Day prior to the Servicing Transfer Date.

 

6 .              The Owner shall deliver a hard copy of the Servicing File for each Mortgage Loan, including copies of pertinent credit files held by the prior servicer within five (5) Business Days after the Servicing Transfer Date.  In addition, upon the Servicer’s reasonable request, the Owner or the prior servicer shall assist the Servicer in all reasonable respects in the Servicer’s efforts to obtain any additional documents or information necessary to enable the Servicer to service the Mortgage Loans properly.  If a document deficiency has not been cured in a timely manner and is preventing the proper servicing of a Mortgage Loan, upon the Owner’s request, the Servicer may cure such deficiencies and shall be reimbursed by the Owner for costs incurred in connection therewith, which reimbursement may be netted by the Servicer from its remittance to the Owner.

 

7 .              With respect to Mortgage Loans for which the Mortgagor is in bankruptcy, the Owner or the prior servicer shall provide the Servicer with the following information to the extent available:  attorney name, address and phone number, foreclosure status, bankruptcy status and bankruptcy case number, filing date and chapter.  In addition, the Owner or the prior servicer shall notify the bankruptcy trustee with respect to each related Mortgage Loan of the change in servicer from the prior servicer to the Servicer and shall provide the Servicer with copies of such notices.

 

B .             After each Servicing Transfer Date:

 

1 .              Within one (1) Business Day after the Servicing Transfer Date, the Owner or the prior servicer will deliver to the Servicer reports setting forth all Mortgage Loan escrow/impound balances as of the Servicing Transfer Date, reporting all unposted payments and unearned fees which are deemed collected as of the Servicing Transfer Date, and including a reconciliation of such escrow/impound balances.

 

2 .              Within one (1) Business Day after the Servicing Transfer Date, the Owner or the prior servicer will deliver to the Servicer all Mortgage Loan histories in bulk or electronically from origination to the Servicing Transfer Date to the extent available.  In addition, the Owner shall cause the prior servicer to make Mortgage Loan histories available to the related Mortgagors upon request made during the twelve (12) months following the Servicing Transfer Date to the extent available.

 

H-2



 

3 .              The Owner or the prior servicer shall deliver to the Servicer any correspondence received by the Owner or the prior servicer relating to the Mortgage Loans after the Servicing Transfer Date, such as tax bills, insurance bills, borrower letters and the like.  Such items shall be forwarded to the Servicer within one (1) Business Day following the day on which the correspondence is received by the Owner or the prior servicer, or as soon thereafter as is practicable.  The correspondence shall be forwarded to the Servicer via overnight courier for the first sixty (60) days subsequent to the Servicing Transfer Date and via regular mail thereafter.

 

4 .              The Owner or the prior servicer shall deliver to the Servicer any payments on the Mortgage Loans received by the Owner or the prior servicer from the related Mortgagors for a period of sixty (60) days following the Servicing Transfer Date.  The Owner shall forward or cause the prior servicer to forward any such payment to the Servicer within one (1) Business Days after the Owner’s or the prior servicer’s receipt thereof, or as soon thereafter as is practicable.  Such payments shall be forwarded to the Servicer via overnight courier for the first thirty (30) days subsequent to the Servicing Transfer Date and via regular mail for the following thirty (30) days.  Thereafter, the Owner may return or cause the prior servicer to return to the related Mortgagors any payments on the Mortgage Loans received by the Owner or prior servicer.

 

5 .              The Owner will reimburse the Servicer for any outstanding Servicing Advances for which there are insufficient proceeds in the Custodial Account and will reimburse the Servicer for trailing expenses incurred by a prior servicer prior to but invoiced after the Transfer Date within ten (10) Business Days of notification of such trailing expenses. The Owner shall reimburse the Servicer for trailing expenses incurred by the Servicer prior to but invoiced after the date of termination, replacement or resignation of the Servicer or the date of transfer of servicing to a successor Servicer, upon presentation of invoices or other reasonable documentation of such expenses, such reimbursement to be made within 10 Business Days of presentation of such documentation.

 

6 .              The Owner or the prior servicer shall prepare and send Internal Revenue Service Form 1098 and 1099 forms to all Mortgagors for the period from January 1 of the year in which the Servicing Transfer Date occurs through the Servicing Transfer Date.

 

7 .              No later than one (1) Business Days after the Servicing Transfer Date, the Owner or the prior servicer shall deliver to the Servicer, copies of all cut-off or accounting reports relating to the Mortgage Loans as of the Servicing Transfer Date, including a trial balance and reports of collections, delinquencies, prepayments, curtailments, escrow payments, escrow balances, partial payments, partial payment balances and other like information on the Mortgage Loans.

 

8.              The Owner or the prior servicer shall mail year-end statements reporting interest income and interest expense statements to the Mortgagors for the period from January 1 of the year in which the Servicing Transfer Date occurs through the Servicing Transfer Date.

 

H-3



 

EXHIBIT I

 

FORM OF ANNUAL SARBANES CERTIFICATION

 

Re:         The [                         ] agreement dated as of [    ], 200[    ] (the “Agreement”), among [IDENTIFY PARTIES]

 

I,                                                                 , the                                            of [NAME OF COMPANY] (the “Company”), certify to [the Owner], [the Depositor], and the [Master Servicer] [Securities Administrator] [Trustee], and their officers, with the knowledge and intent that they will rely upon this certification, that:

 

(1)                                  I have reviewed the servicer compliance statement of the Company provided in accordance with Item 1123 of Regulation AB (the “Compliance Statement”), the report on assessment of the Company’s compliance with the servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB and identified as the responsibility of the Company on Exhibit B to the Regulation AB Compliance Addendum to the Agreement (the “Servicing Criteria”), provided in accordance with Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Item 1122 of Regulation AB (the “Servicing Assessment”), the registered public accounting firm’s attestation report provided in accordance with Rules 13a-18 and 15d-18 under the Exchange Act and Section 1122(b) of Regulation AB (the “Attestation Report”), and all servicing reports, officer’s certificates and other information relating to the servicing of the Mortgage Loans by the Company during 200[ ] that were delivered by the Company to the [Depositor] [Master Servicer] [Securities Administrator] [Trustee] pursuant to the Agreement (collectively, the “Company Servicing Information”);

 

(2)                                  Based on my knowledge, the Company Servicing Information, taken as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period of time covered by the Company Servicing Information;

 

(3)                                  Based on my knowledge, all of the Company Servicing Information required to be provided by the Company under the Agreement has been provided to the [Depositor] [Master Servicer] [Securities Administrator] [Trustee];

 

(4)                                  I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the Company as servicer under the Agreement, and based on my knowledge and the compliance review conducted in preparing the Compliance Statement and except as disclosed in the Compliance Statement, the Servicing Assessment or the Attestation Report, the Company has fulfilled its obligations under the Agreement in all material respects; and

 

(5)                                  The Compliance Statement required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and the Servicing Assessment and Attestation Report required to be provided by the Company and by any Subservicer and Subcontractor pursuant to the Agreement, have been provided to the [Depositor] [Master Servicer].  Any material instances of noncompliance

 

I-1



 

described in such reports have been disclosed to the [Depositor] [Master Servicer].  Any material instance of noncompliance with the Servicing Criteria has been disclosed in such reports.

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

I-2



 

EXHIBIT J

 

DATA TAPE FIELDS/CONTENTS OF MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE

 

FIELD NAME

LOAN NUMBER

UNPAID PRIN BAL

ESCROW BALANCE

UNAPPLIED BALANCE (SUSPENSE) — If Applicable

HAZARD LOSS BALANCE — If applicable

CORPORATE ADVANCE BALANCE — If applicable

ORIGINAL LOAN AMOUNT

P&I PAYMENT

BORROWER 1 NAME

BORROWER 2 NAME

PROPERTY STREET

CITY

STATE

ZIP

PROPERTY TYPE

CURRENT RATE

ORIGINATION DATE

1ST PAYMENT DUE DATE

MATURITY DATE

NEXT PAYMENT DUE DATE

INTEREST PAID TO DATE

INTEREST CALCULATION METHOD

PMI POLICY NUMBER

APPRAISAL VALUE

APPRAISAL DATE

LIEN POSITION

NOTE TYPE

LOAN TERM MONTHS

BALLOON PAYMENTS (If applicable)

OCCUPANCY STATUS

BORROWER HOME TELEPHONE

BORROWER BUSINESS TELEPHONE

MAIL ADDRESS

MAIL CITY

MAIL STATE

MAIL ZIP

BWR 1 SOCIAL SEC

BWR 2 SOCIAL SEC

 

J-1



 

PREPAY PENALTY Y/N

LATE CHARGE DAYS

LATE CHARGE RATE

ESCROW (T&I) PAYMENT

FICO SCORE

1ST ADJUSTMENT PERIOD CAPS MAX

1ST ADJUSTMENT PERIOD CAPS MIN

REG CAPS MAX

REG CAPS MIN

1ST ADJUSTMENT PERIOD IN MONTHS

REG ADJ PERIOD IN MONTHS

ROUNDING BASIS

MARGIN

CEILING

FLOOR

NEXT CHG DATE

ROUNDING CODE

INDEX TYPE

LOOKBACK PERIOD IN DAYS

FLOOD Y/N

FLOOD_ZONE_NBR

MERS I.D.#

 

J-2



 

EXHIBIT K

 

SERVICING CRITERIA TO BE ADDRESSED IN ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE

 

The assessment of compliance to be delivered by the Servicer shall address, at a minimum, the criteria identified as below as “Applicable Servicing Criteria”:

 

Servicing Criteria

 

Applicable
Servicing

Reference

 

Criteria

 

Criteria

 

 

General Servicing Considerations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1122(d)(1)(i)

 

Policies and procedures are instituted to monitor any performance or other triggers and events of default in accordance with the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(1)(ii)

 

If any material servicing activities are outsourced to third parties, policies and procedures are instituted to monitor the third party’s performance and compliance with such servicing activities.

 

X

1122(d)(1)(iii)

 

Any requirements in the transaction agreements to maintain a back-up servicer for the mortgage loans are maintained.

 

 

1122(d)(1)(iv)

 

A fidelity bond and errors and omissions policy is in effect on the party participating in the servicing function throughout the reporting period in the amount of coverage required by and otherwise in accordance with the terms of the transaction agreements.

 

X

 

 

Cash Collection and Administration

 

 

1122(d)(2)(i)

 

Payments on mortgage loans are deposited into the appropriate custodial bank accounts and related bank clearing accounts no more than two business days following receipt, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(2)(ii)

 

Disbursements made via wire transfer on behalf of an obligor or to an investor are made only by authorized personnel.

 

X

1122(d)(2)(iii)

 

Advances of funds or guarantees regarding collections, cash flows or distributions, and any interest or other fees charged for such advances, are made, reviewed and approved as specified in the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(2)(iv)

 

The related accounts for the transaction, such as cash reserve accounts or accounts established as a form of overcollateralization, are separately maintained (e.g., with respect to commingling of cash) as set forth in the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(2)(v)

 

Each custodial account is maintained at a federally insured depository institution as set forth in the transaction agreements. For purposes of this criterion, “federally insured depository institution” with respect to a foreign financial institution means a foreign financial institution that meets the requirements of Rule 13k-1(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act.

 

X

 

K-1



 

1122(d)(2)(vi)

 

Unissued checks are safeguarded so as to prevent unauthorized access.

 

X

1122(d)(2)(vii)

 

Reconciliations are prepared on a monthly basis for all asset-backed securities related bank accounts, including custodial accounts and related bank clearing accounts. These reconciliations are (A) mathematically accurate; (B) prepared within 30 calendar days after the bank statement cutoff date, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements; (C) reviewed and approved by someone other than the person who prepared the reconciliation; and (D) contain explanations for reconciling items. These reconciling items are resolved within 90 calendar days of their original identification, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements.

 

X

 

 

Investor Remittances and Reporting

 

 

1122(d)(3)(i)

 

Reports to investors, including those to be filed with the Commission, are maintained in accordance with the transaction agreements and applicable Commission requirements. Specifically, such reports (A) are prepared in accordance with timeframes and other terms set forth in the transaction agreements; (B) provide information calculated in accordance with the terms specified in the transaction agreements; (C) are filed with the Commission as required by its rules and regulations; and (D) agree with investors’ or the trustee’s records as to the total unpaid principal balance and number of mortgage loans serviced by the Servicer.

 

 

1122(d)(3)(ii)

 

Amounts due to investors are allocated and remitted in accordance with timeframes, distribution priority and other terms set forth in the transaction agreements.

 

 

1122(d)(3)(iii)

 

Disbursements made to an investor are posted within two business days to the Servicer’s investor records, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements.

 

 

1122(d)(3)(iv)

 

Amounts remitted to investors per the investor reports agree with cancelled checks, or other form of payment, or custodial bank statements.

 

 

 

 

Pool Asset Administration

 

 

1122(d)(4)(i)

 

Collateral or security on mortgage loans is maintained as required by the transaction agreements or related mortgage loan documents.

 

 

1122(d)(4)(ii)

 

Mortgage loan and related documents are safeguarded as required by the transaction agreements.

 

 

1122(d)(4)(iii)

 

Any additions, removals or substitutions to the asset pool are made, reviewed and approved in accordance with any conditions or requirements in the transaction agreements.

 

 

1122(d)(4)(iv)

 

Payments on mortgage loans, including any payoffs, made in accordance with the related mortgage loan documents are posted to the Servicer’s obligor records maintained no more than two business days after receipt, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements, and allocated to principal, interest or other items (e.g., escrow) in accordance with the related mortgage loan documents.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(v)

 

The Servicer’s records regarding the mortgage loans agree with the Servicer’s records with respect to an obligor’s unpaid principal balance.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(vi)

 

Changes with respect to the terms or status of an obligor’s mortgage

 

X

 

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loans (e.g., loan modifications or re-agings) are made, reviewed and approved by authorized personnel in accordance with the transaction agreements and related pool asset documents.

 

 

1122(d)(4)(vii)

 

Loss mitigation or recovery actions (e.g., forbearance plans, modifications and deeds in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosures and repossessions, as applicable) are initiated, conducted and concluded in accordance with the timeframes or other requirements established by the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(viii)

 

Records documenting collection efforts are maintained during the period a mortgage loan is delinquent in accordance with the transaction agreements. Such records are maintained on at least a monthly basis, or such other period specified in the transaction agreements, and describe the entity’s activities in monitoring delinquent mortgage loans including, for example, phone calls, letters and payment rescheduling plans in cases where delinquency is deemed temporary (e.g., illness or unemployment).

 

X

1122(d)(4)(ix)

 

Adjustments to interest rates or rates of return for mortgage loans with variable rates are computed based on the related mortgage loan documents.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(x)

 

Regarding any funds held in trust for an obligor (such as escrow accounts): (A) such funds are analyzed, in accordance with the obligor’s mortgage loan documents, on at least an annual basis, or such other period specified in the transaction agreements; (B) interest on such funds is paid, or credited, to obligors in accordance with applicable mortgage loan documents and state laws; and (C) such funds are returned to the obligor within 30 calendar days of full repayment of the related mortgage loans, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(xi)

 

Payments made on behalf of an obligor (such as tax or insurance payments) are made on or before the related penalty or expiration dates, as indicated on the appropriate bills or notices for such payments, provided that such support has been received by the servicer at least 30 calendar days prior to these dates, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(xii)

 

Any late payment penalties in connection with any payment to be made on behalf of an obligor are paid from the servicer’s funds and not charged to the obligor, unless the late payment was due to the obligor’s error or omission.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(xiii)

 

Disbursements made on behalf of an obligor are posted within two business days to the obligor’s records maintained by the servicer, or such other number of days specified in the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(xiv)

 

Delinquencies, charge-offs and uncollectible accounts are recognized and recorded in accordance with the transaction agreements.

 

X

1122(d)(4)(xv)

 

Any external enhancement or other support, identified in Item 1114(a)(1) through (3) or Item 1115 of Regulation AB, is maintained as set forth in the transaction agreements.

 

 

 

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L-1



 

 

WHOLE LOAN SERVICING

FEE LETTER

 

Structure:

 

Ocwen Financial Corporation or its affiliate(s) ( collectively, “Ocwen”) would provide whole loan servicing on behalf of the Owner on a portfolio of 1 st  and 2 nd  lien residential mortgages (“Loans”) in accordance with the terms outlined below. Ocwen is prepared to accept loans in 1) bulk transfers or 2) on a loan by loan basis with Ocwen being named as the Servicer at the closing of the loan.

 

 

 

Servicing Type:

 

The Loans in the Portfolio would be serviced on an actual/actual basis.  Ocwen would net servicing fees, ancillary income and servicing advances monthly from collections.

 

 

 

Reporting and Remittance:

 

Ocwen would remit and report on the 10 th  business day of each month on collections from the prior month.

 

 

 

Transfer Expenses:

 

Ocwen would accept transfer of the Loans as soon as reasonably possible.  Each Party would be responsible for its own transfer expenses.  The Owner or prior servicer would be responsible for having the RESPA servicing transfer notices sent to borrowers, shipping the Loan files and providing data to Ocwen in a format reasonably requested by Ocwen.  Ocwen would be responsible for boarding the Loans onto its system including any data conversion expenses.

 

 

 

Servicing Standard:

 

The Portfolio would be serviced with the same level of care, skill, prudence and diligence that Ocwen employs in servicing like Loans in its existing servicing portfolio.  The Loans in the Portfolio would be combined with other Loans on the same servicing platform and, after transfer to Ocwen’s platform, would be serviced by the same personnel operating under the same policies and procedures.

 

 

 

Web Portal:

 

Ocwen offers an internet based Web Portal that enables our customers to track the long-term performance of their assets, even if they are sold to the secondary market, commingled with the assets of other originators and subsequently securitized.  The system also features state of the art, loan level, canned reporting and the ability to build customized reports.  A demonstration of this system is readily available.

 

 

 

Base Servicing Fees:

 

Ocwen would be willing to perform whole loan servicing under the following fee structures.

A) A * due at the closing of this Agreement.

B) A * management fee payable to Ocwen *.

C)  Boarding & De-boarding fees:

 

*      Boarding Fee.

*      De-boarding Fee (not charged if servicing is transferred to another Ocwen Customer).

 

D)  Whole loan fees for actual to actual servicing:

 

*      Current Loans (less than sixty (60) days delinquent).

*      Loans on a forbearance or bankruptcy plan.

*      Loans which are sixty (60) or more days delinquent.

*      REO Property.

 

E) Ocwen would retain *.  Such * would include, without limitation, *.

F) Ocwen would not be entitled to pre-payment penalties.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 



 

Incentive Fee Structure:

 

In addition to the Base Servicing Fees, the following additional Incentive Fees will be payable:

 

A) Liquidation Fee: With respect to * as of the servicing transfer date, a Liquidation Fee equal to * with respect to such Loan will be payable to Ocwen.

 

B) Reperformance Fee: With respect to each *, the * fee payable to Ocwen in the month following such period in which such Mortgage Loan becomes a Reperforming Mortgage Loan (any Nonperforming Loan that has made * payments or * payments), which fee shall equal * as of the related Determination Date.

 

 

 

Receivable Collection:

 

If the Owner directs Ocwen to charge-off any Mortgage Loan or Ocwen, with the Owner’s consent, charges off any Mortgage Loan, Ocwen, at the Owner’s option, shall perform collection services, for a contingency fee, with respect to such Charged-Off Mortgage Loan in accordance with a Receivable Collection Agreement to be entered into with the Owner. 

 

 

 

Reconstitution:

 

In the event of a subsequent securitization, Ocwen agrees to execute all applicable Reconstitution Agreements (i.e., Subservicing Agreement, Servicing Rights Purchase Agreement and/or Pooling and Servicing Agreement), provided that Ocwen is given an opportunity to review and reasonably negotiate in good faith the terms of such documents, including Ocwen’s obligations, compensation and rights to finance any servicing advances and purchased mortgage servicing rights with a third party creditor, if applicable.

 

 

 

Representations and Warranties:

 

Ocwen would make customary servicer representations and warranties but would not be subject to any obligations of the prior servicer or any obligations, representations or warranties customarily made by the Originator or owner of the Loans.  Ocwen would not assume any repurchase obligations of the Owner or prior servicer.

 

Ocwen will not assume responsibility for and will be indemnified against any actions (or lack of action) of the Owner and prior servicers, if applicable.

 

 

 

Predatory Loans:

 

Ocwen reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse to service Loans it deems to be predatory.

 

 

 

Confidential:

 

Information in this term sheet is strictly confidential and should not be shared with any third parties without Ocwen’s prior consent.  Failure to protect the confidentiality of these terms could cause substantial harm to Ocwen.

 


* Material omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.  An unredacted version of this exhibit has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 


EXHIBIT 10.9

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

CONVERSION OPTION PLAN

 

SECTION 1.                          PURPOSE

 

1.01                         The purpose of the Conversion Option Plan (the “Plan”) is to enable Altisource Residential Corporation (the “Corporation”) to grant stock options to individuals who hold options to purchase Altisource stock prior to the Separation.

 

SECTION 2.                          DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

 

2.01                         Definitions.  In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in the Plan, the following terms as used in the Plan shall have the following meanings when used with initial capital letters:

 

2.01.1               “Altisource” means Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.

 

2.01.2               “Altisource Option” means an option to purchase Altisource common stock, granted under the Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

2.01.3               “Board” means the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

 

2.01.4               “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder.  References to particular sections of the Code shall include any successor provisions.

 

2.01.5               “Change of Control” shall mean a change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Corporation is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

2.01.6               “Committee” means, (a) with respect to Participants who are employees and other service providers, the Compensation Committee or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan, consisting of at least three members of the Board; provided however, that any member of the Committee participating in the taking of any action under the Plan shall qualify as (1) an “outside director” as then defined under Section 162(m) of the Code or any successor provision, (2) a “non-employee director” as then defined under Rule 16b-3 or any successor rule and (3) an “independent” director under the rules of any stock exchange on which shares of Common Stock may be listed, or (b) with respect to Participants who are non-employee directors, the Board.

 

2.01.7               “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Corporation, par value $0.01 per share, and such other securities of the Corporation or other corporation or entity as may be substituted for Shares pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof.

 

2.01.8               “Effective Date” means the date that the Form 10 relating to the Separation is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 



 

2.01.9               “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.01.10        “Fair Market Value” of shares of any stock, including but not limited to Common Stock, or units of any other securities (herein “shares”), shall be the mean between the highest and lowest sales prices per share for the date(s) as established by the Board as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined in the principal market in which such shares are traded, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal (or in such other reliable publication as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine to rely upon).  If the Fair Market Value of shares on any date(s) cannot be determined on the basis set forth in the preceding sentence, or if a determination is required as to the Fair Market Value on any date of property other than shares, the Committee shall in good faith determine the Fair Market Value of such shares or other property on such date(s).  Fair Market Value shall be determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse.

 

2.01.11        “Option” means a right, granted hereunder, to purchase Shares at a specified price during specified time periods.

 

2.01.12        “Option Agreement” means a written document evidencing the terms of an Option, as may be determined by the Committee and as may be amended from time to time, subject to and consistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

2.01.13        “Participant” means an individual who is granted an Option under the Plan.

 

2.01.14        “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

 

2.01.15        “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor to such Rule promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

2.01.16        “Separation” means the spinoff of the Company from Altisource.

 

2.01.17        “Shares” means shares of Common Stock.

 

2.01.18        “Subsidiary” means any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the chain owns stock possessing at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.

 

2.02                         Construction.  For purposes of the Plan, the following rules of construction shall apply:

 

2.02.1               The word “or” is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive.

 

2.02.2               Words in the singular include the plural; words in the plural include the singular; words in the neuter gender include the masculine and feminine genders, and words in the masculine or feminine gender include the other and neuter genders.

 

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SECTION 3.                          ADMINISTRATION

 

3.01                         The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  The Committee shall have complete, full and final authority to take the following actions, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)                                      to designate Participants;

 

(ii)                                   to determine the number of Options to be granted, the number of Shares to which an Option will relate, the terms and conditions of any Option (including, but not limited to, any exercise price, grant price or purchase price, any limitation or restriction, any schedule for lapse of limitations, forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on exercisability or transferability, and accelerations or waivers thereof, including in the case of a Change of Control based in each case on such considerations as the Committee shall determine), and all other matters to be determined in connection with an Option;

 

(iii)                                to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances the exercise price of an Option may be paid in cash, Shares or other property, or an Option may be accelerated, vested, canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered;

 

(iv)                               to interpret and administer the Plan Options, Option Agreements and any instrument or agreement relating to Options;

 

(v)                                  to prescribe the form of each Option Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

(vi)                               to adopt, amend, suspend, waive and rescind such rules and regulations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 

(vii)                            to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency, and to construe and interpret the Plan, the rules and regulations, any Option Agreement or other instrument entered into or Option made under the Plan;

 

(viii)                         to make all other decisions and determinations as may be required under the terms of the Plan or as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan; and

 

(ix)                               to make such filings and take such actions as may be required from time to time by appropriate state, regulatory and governmental agencies.  Any action of the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Persons, including the Corporation, Subsidiaries, Participants and any Person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participants.  The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be

 

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construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.  The Committee may delegate to officers, managers and/or agents of the Corporation or any Subsidiary the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform administrative and other functions under the Plan.  Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him by an officer, manager or other employee of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, the Corporation’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Corporation and/or Committee to assist in the administration of the Plan.

 

SECTION 4.                          SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.01                         The maximum net number of Shares which may be issued and in respect of which Options may be granted under the Plan shall be limited to [   ] shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.01, which may be used for all forms of Options.

 

SECTION 5.                          ELIGIBILITY

 

5.01                         Options shall be granted only to individuals who (i) are employees or members of the board of directors of or consultants to Altisource or any subsidiary or parent of Altisource and (ii) hold Altisource Options as of the Effective Date.

 

SECTION 6.                          SPECIFIC TERMS OF OPTIONS

 

6.01                         General.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Option Agreement, Options shall be granted as set forth in this Section 6.  In addition, the Committee may impose on any Option or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to the terms of Section 9.01), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.

 

6.02                         Options.   Each holder of an Altisource Option who is eligible to participate in the Plan shall be granted an Option.  The terms of such Options shall be as follows:

 

(i)                                      Grant date .  The Options shall be granted as of or after the Effective Date and before the completion of the Separation, subject to the completion of the Separation.

 

(ii)                                   Number of Shares .  Each Option shall be with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Altisource common stock subject to the applicable Altisource Option divided by three, and rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(iii)                                Exercise Price .  The exercise price per share of the Option shall be equal to the exercise price of the applicable Altisource Option multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock

 

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immediately after the Separation and the denominator of which is the sum of (A) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock immediately after the Separation and (B) the Fair Market Value of a share of Altisource common stock immediately after the Separation.

 

(iv)                               Option term .  Each Option shall have the same term as the applicable Altisource Option.

 

(v)                                  Times of Exercise .  Each Option shall be exercisable at the same times as the applicable Altisource Option.

 

(vi)                               Methods of Exercise .  The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, and the form of such payment, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or other property or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price, provided, however, that (1) in the case of a Participant who is at the time of exercise subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any portion of the exercise price representing a fraction of a Share shall in any event be paid in cash or in property other than any equity security (as defined by the Exchange Act) of the Corporation and (2) except as otherwise determined by the Committee, in its discretion, no shares which have been held for less than six months may be delivered in payment of the exercise price of an Option.  Delivery of Shares in payment of the exercise price of an Option, if authorized by the Committee, may be accomplished through the effective transfer to the Corporation of Shares held by a broker or other agent.

 

6.03                         Termination of Employment.  In the case of Participants, unless otherwise determined by the Committee and reflected in the Option Agreement:

 

(i)                                    if a Participant shall die while employed or engaged by the Corporation or Altisource, or a subsidiary or affiliate of either or during a period following termination of employment or engagement during which an Option otherwise remains exercisable under this Section 6.03, Options granted to the Participant, to the extent exercisable at the time of the Participant’s death, may be exercised within two years after the date of the Participant’s death, but not later than the expiration date of the Options, by the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or by the Person or Persons to whom the Participant shall have transferred such right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution;

 

(ii)                                 if the Participant must terminate employment due to disability, the Options may be exercised within three years after the date of termination, but not later than the expiration date of the Options;

 

(iii)                              if the Participant has attained the age of 60 and has been an employee of the Corporation and/or Altisource or a subsidiary or affiliate of either for not less than three (3) years as of or on the date of termination of employment by reason of retirement, the Options shall vest and shall become immediately exercisable in

 

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full on the date of termination and may be exercised within three years after the date of retirement, but not later than the expiration date of the Options;

 

(iv)                               if the employment or engagement of a Participant with the Corporation, Altisource and their subsidiaries and affiliates shall be involuntarily terminated under circumstances which would qualify the Participant for benefits under a severance plan of the Corporation or shall terminate his or her employment or engagement with the written consent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, the Committee may elect to vest the Options immediately.  Options granted to the Participant, to the extent exercisable at the date of the Participant’s termination of employment or engagement, may be exercised within six months after the date of termination of employment or engagement, but not later than the expiration date of the Options; and

 

(v)                                  except to the extent an Option remains exercisable under paragraphs (A) through (D) above, any Option granted to a Participant shall terminate six months after the date of termination of employment or engagement of the Participant with the Corporation or a Subsidiary or affiliate.

 

SECTION 7.                          GENERAL TERMS OF AWARDS

 

7.01                         Decisions Required to be Made by the Committee.  Other provisions of the Plan and any Option Agreement notwithstanding, if any decision regarding an Option, at any time such Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, is required to be made or approved by the Committee or the Board in order that a transaction by such Participant will be exempt under Rule 16b-3, then the Committee or the Board shall retain full and exclusive power and authority to make such decision or to approve or disapprove any such decision by the Participant.

 

7.02                         Form of Payment of Options.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Option Agreement, payments or substitutions to be made by the Corporation upon the grant, exercise or other payment or distribution of an Option may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant or thereafter (subject to the terms of Section 9.01), including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or other property or any combination thereof, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established, or as otherwise determined, by the Committee.

 

7.03                         Limits on Transfer of Options; Beneficiaries.  No right or interest of a Participant in any Option shall be pledged, encumbered or hypothecated to or in favor of any Person other than the Corporation, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any Person other than the Corporation or a Subsidiary except as otherwise established by the Committee at the time of grant or thereafter.  No Option and no rights or interests therein shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and Options shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant.  A beneficiary, guardian, legal representative or other Person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan and any Option

 

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Agreement applicable to such Participant as well as any additional restrictions or limitations deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.

 

7.04                         Registration and Listing Compliance.  No Option shall be paid and no Shares or other securities shall be distributed with respect to any Option in a transaction subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities law or subject to a listing requirement under any listing agreement between the Corporation and any national securities exchange, and no Option shall confer upon any Participant rights to such payment or distribution until such laws and contractual obligations of the Corporation have been complied with in all material respects.  Except to the extent required by the terms of an Option Agreement or another contract between the Corporation and the Participant, neither the grant of any Option nor anything else contained herein shall obligate the Corporation to take any action to comply with any requirements of any such securities laws or contractual obligations relating to the registration (or exemption therefrom) or listing of any Shares or other securities, whether or not necessary in order to permit any such payment or distribution.

 

7.05                         Stock Certificates.  All certificates for Shares delivered under the terms of the Plan shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under federal or state securities laws, rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which Shares are listed or quoted.  The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or any other restrictions or limitations that may be applicable to Shares.

 

SECTION 8.                          ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS

 

8.01                         If a dividend or other distribution shall be declared upon the Common Stock payable in shares of the Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to any outstanding Options shall be adjusted by adding thereto the number of shares of Common Stock which would have been distributable thereon if such shares had been outstanding on the date fixed for determining the shareholders entitled to receive such stock dividend or distribution.

 

If the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchangeable for a different number or kind of shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or another corporation, or cash or other property, whether through reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization, stock split-up, combination of shares, merger or consolidation, then there shall be substituted for each share of Common Stock subject to any then outstanding Option the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities (and in the case of outstanding Options, the cash or other property) into which each outstanding share of the Common Stock shall be so changed or for which each such share shall be exchangeable.

 

In case of any adjustment or substitution as provided for in this Section 8.01, the aggregate option price for all Shares subject to each then outstanding Option prior to such adjustment or substitution shall be the aggregate option price for all shares of stock or

 

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other securities (including any fraction), cash or other property to which such Shares shall have been adjusted or which shall have been substituted for such Shares.  Any new option price per share or other unit shall be carried to at least three decimal places with the last decimal place rounded upwards to the nearest whole number.

 

If the outstanding shares of the Common Stock shall be changed in value by reason of any spin-off, split-off or split-up, or dividend in partial liquidation, dividend in property other than cash, or extraordinary distribution to shareholders of the Common Stock, the Committee shall make any adjustments to any then outstanding Option which it determines are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of optionees which would otherwise result from any such transaction.

 

No adjustment or substitution provided for in this Section 8.01 shall require the Corporation to issue or sell a fraction of a Share or other security.  Accordingly, all fractional Shares or other securities which result from any such adjustment or substitution shall be eliminated and not carried forward to any subsequent adjustment or substitution.

 

In the event of any other change in or conversion of the Common Stock, the Committee may in its discretion adjust the outstanding Options provided in the Plan in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of rights of Participants.

 

SECTION 9.                          AMENDMENTS TO AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

 

9.01                         The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan without the consent of shareholders or Participants, except that, without the approval of the shareholders of the Corporation, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made if shareholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Shares may then be listed, or if the amendment, alteration or other change materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants, increases the number of Shares available under the Plan or modifies the requirements for participation under the Plan, or if the Board in its discretion determines that obtaining such shareholder approval is for any reason advisable; provided, however, that no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination of the Plan may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Option theretofore granted to him.  The Committee may, consistent with the terms of the Plan, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate, any Option theretofore granted, prospectively or retrospectively; provided, however, that without the consent of a Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination of any Option may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Option theretofore granted to him; and provided further that, except as provided in Section 8.01 of the Plan, the exercise price of any outstanding Option may not be reduced, whether through amendment, cancellation or replacement, unless such reduction is approved by the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

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SECTION 10.                   GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

10.01                  No Shareholder Rights.  No Option shall confer on any Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation unless and until Shares are in fact issued to such Participant in connection with such Option.

 

10.02                  Withholding.  To the extent required by applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law, the Participant or his successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation, in its discretion, for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with an Option.  The Corporation shall not be required to issue any Shares or make any other payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.  The Corporation is authorized to withhold from any Option granted or any payment due under the Plan, including from a distribution of Shares, amounts of withholding taxes due with respect to an Option, its exercise or any payment thereunder, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of such taxes.  This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Shares, Options or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of such tax obligations.

 

10.03                  No Right to Employment or Continuation of Service.  Nothing contained in the Plan or any Option Agreement shall confer, and no grant of an Option shall be construed as conferring, upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Corporation or Altisource or to interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or Altisource or shareholders to terminate his employment or service at any time or increase or decrease his compensation, fees, or other payments from the rate in existence at the time of granting of an Option, except as provided in any Option Agreement or other compensation, fee or other arrangement.

 

10.04                  Unfunded Status of Options; Creation of Trusts.  The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation.  With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Option, nothing contained in the Plan or any Option Agreement shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Corporation; provided, however, that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or make other arrangements to meet the Corporation’s obligations under the Plan to deliver Shares or other property pursuant to any Option, which trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines.

 

10.05                  No Limit on Other Compensatory Arrangements.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Corporation from adopting other or additional compensation, fee or other arrangements (which may include, without limitation, employment agreements with executives and arrangements which relate to Options under the Plan), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the terms of each Option shall be construed so as to be consistent with such other arrangements in effect at the time of the Option.

 

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10.06                  No Fractional Shares.  No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Option.  The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Options or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

10.07                  Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be governed by the laws of [the United States Virgin Islands] (without regard to the conflicts of laws thereof).

 

10.08                  Severability.  If any provision of the Plan or any Option is or becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Option under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or Option, it shall be deleted and the remainder of the Plan or Option shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the provision shall not be construed or deemed amended or deleted with respect to any Participant whose rights and obligations under the Plan are not subject to the law of such jurisdiction or the law deemed applicable by the Committee.

 

SECTION 11.                   EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

 

11.01                  The effective date and date of adoption of the Plan shall be [   ], 2012, the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board, provided that such adoption of the Plan is approved by a majority of the votes cast at a duly held meeting of shareholders at which a quorum representing a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation is, either in person or by proxy, present and voting.  Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Plan or in any Option Agreement, no Option granted under the Plan may be exercised, and no Shares may be distributed pursuant to any Option granted under the Plan, prior to such shareholder approval.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.10

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION

SPECIAL CONVERSION OPTION PLAN

 

SECTION 1.         PURPOSE

 

1.01         The purpose of the Special Conversion Option Plan (the “Plan”) is to enable Altisource Residential Corporation (the “Corporation”) to grant stock options to employees and board members of Ocwen Financial Corporation who hold options to purchase Altisource stock prior to the Separation.

 

SECTION 2.         DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

 

2.01         Definitions.  In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in the Plan, the following terms as used in the Plan shall have the following meanings when used with initial capital letters:

 

2.01.1      “Administrator” means the Board or any committee that the Board designates to administer the Plan.

 

2.01.2      “Altisource” means Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.

 

2.01.3      “Altisource Option” means an option to purchase Altisource common stock, granted under the Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

2.01.4      “Board” means the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

 

2.01.5      “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder.  References to particular sections of the Code shall include any successor provisions.

 

2.01.6      “Change of Control” shall mean a change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Corporation is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

2.01.7      “Common Stock” means the Class B common stock of the Corporation, par value $0.01 per share, and such other securities of the Corporation or other corporation or entity as may be substituted for Shares pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof.

 

2.01.8      “Effective Date” means the date that the Form 10 relating to the Separation is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2.01.9      “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.01.10   “Fair Market Value” of shares of any stock, including but not limited to Common Stock, or units of any other securities (herein “shares”), shall be the mean between the highest and lowest sales prices per share for the date(s) as established by the Board as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined in the principal market in which such shares are traded, as

 



 

quoted in The Wall Street Journal (or in such other reliable publication as the Administrator, in its discretion, may determine to rely upon).  If the Fair Market Value of shares on any date(s) cannot be determined on the basis set forth in the preceding sentence, or if a determination is required as to the Fair Market Value on any date of property other than shares, the Administrator shall in good faith determine the Fair Market Value of such shares or other property on such date(s).  Fair Market Value shall be determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse.

 

2.01.11   “Ocwen” means Ocwen Financial Corporation.

 

2.01.12   “Option” means a right, granted hereunder, to purchase Shares at a specified price during specified time periods.

 

2.01.13   “Option Agreement” means a written document evidencing the terms of an Option, as may be determined by the Administrator and as may be amended from time to time, subject to and consistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

2.01.14   “Participant” means an individual who is granted an Option under the Plan.

 

2.01.15   “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

 

2.01.16   “Separation” means the spinoff of the Company from Altisource.

 

2.01.17   “Shares” means shares of Common Stock.

 

2.01.18   “Subsidiary” means any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the chain owns stock possessing at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.

 

2.02         Construction.  For purposes of the Plan, the following rules of construction shall apply:

 

2.02.1      The word “or” is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive.

 

2.02.2      Words in the singular include the plural; words in the plural include the singular; words in the neuter gender include the masculine and feminine genders, and words in the masculine or feminine gender include the other and neuter genders.

 

SECTION 3.         ADMINISTRATION

 

3.01         The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator.  The Administrator shall have complete, full and final authority to take the following actions, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)             to designate Participants;

 

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(ii)            to determine the number of Options to be granted, the number of Shares to which an Option will relate, the terms and conditions of any Option (including, but not limited to, any exercise price, grant price or purchase price, any limitation or restriction, any schedule for lapse of limitations, forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on exercisability or transferability, and accelerations or waivers thereof, including in the case of a Change of Control based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator shall determine), and all other matters to be determined in connection with an Option;

 

(iii)           to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances the exercise price of an Option may be paid in cash, Shares or other property, or an Option may be accelerated, vested, canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered;

 

(iv)           to interpret and administer the Plan Options, Option Agreements and any instrument or agreement relating to Options;

 

(v)            to prescribe the form of each Option Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

(vi)           to adopt, amend, suspend, waive and rescind such rules and regulations as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 

(vii)          to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency, and to construe and interpret the Plan, the rules and regulations, any Option Agreement or other instrument entered into or Option made under the Plan;

 

(viii)         to make all other decisions and determinations as may be required under the terms of the Plan or as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan; and

 

(ix)           to make such filings and take such actions as may be required from time to time by appropriate state, regulatory and governmental agencies.  Any action of the Administrator with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Persons, including the Corporation, Subsidiaries, Participants and any Person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participants.  The express grant of any specific power to the Administrator, and the taking of any action by the Administrator, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Administrator.  The Administrator may delegate to officers, managers and/or agents of the Corporation or any Subsidiary the authority, subject to such terms as the Administrator shall determine, to perform administrative and other functions under the Plan.  Each member of the Administrator shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him by an officer, manager or other employee of

 

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the Corporation or a Subsidiary, the Corporation’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Corporation and/or Administrator to assist in the administration of the Plan.

 

SECTION 4.         SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.01         The maximum net number of Shares which may be issued and in respect of which Options may be granted under the Plan shall be limited to [   ] shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.01, which may be used for all forms of Options.

 

SECTION 5.         ELIGIBILITY

 

5.01         Options shall be granted only to individuals who (i) are employees or members of the board of directors of Ocwen and (ii) hold Altisource Options as of the Effective Date.

 

SECTION 6.         SPECIFIC TERMS OF OPTIONS

 

6.01         General.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Option Agreement, Options shall be granted as set forth in this Section 6.  In addition, the Administrator may impose on any Option or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to the terms of Section 9.01), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Administrator shall determine.

 

6.02         Options.   Each holder of an Altisource Option who is eligible to participate in the Plan shall be granted an Option.  The terms of such Options shall be as follows:

 

(i)             Grant date .  The Options shall be granted as of or after the Effective Date and before the completion of the Separation, subject to the completion of the Separation.

 

(ii)            Number of Shares .  Each Option shall be with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Altisource common stock subject to the applicable Altisource Option divided by three, and rounded down to the nearest whole share.

 

(iii)           Exercise Price .  The exercise price per share of the Option shall be equal to the exercise price of the applicable Altisource Option multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock immediately after the Separation and the denominator of which is the sum of (A) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock immediately after the Separation and (B) the Fair Market Value of a share of Altisource common stock immediately after the Separation.

 

(iv)           Option term .  Each Option shall have the same term as the applicable Altisource Option.

 

4



 

(v)            Times of Exercise .  Each Option shall be exercisable at the same times as the applicable Altisource Option.

 

(vi)           Methods of Exercise .  The Administrator shall determine the methods by which the exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, and the form of such payment, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or other property or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price, provided, however, that except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, in its discretion, no shares which have been held for less than six months may be delivered in payment of the exercise price of an Option.  Delivery of Shares in payment of the exercise price of an Option, if authorized by the Administrator, may be accomplished through the effective transfer to the Corporation of Shares held by a broker or other agent.

 

6.03         Termination of Employment.  In the case of Participants, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator and reflected in the Option Agreement:

 

(i)             if a Participant shall die while employed or engaged by Ocwen, or a subsidiary of Ocwen or during a period following termination of employment or engagement during which an Option otherwise remains exercisable under this Section 6.03, Options granted to the Participant, to the extent exercisable at the time of the Participant’s death, may be exercised within two years after the date of the Participant’s death, but not later than the expiration date of the Options, by the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or by the Person or Persons to whom the Participant shall have transferred such right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution;

 

(ii)            if the Participant must terminate employment due to disability, the Options may be exercised within three years after the date of termination, but not later than the expiration date of the Options;

 

(iii)           if the Participant has attained the age of 60 and has been an employee of Ocwen for not less than three (3) years as of or on the date of termination of employment by reason of retirement, the Options shall vest and shall become immediately exercisable in full on the date of termination and may be exercised within three years after the date of retirement, but not later than the expiration date of the Options;

 

(iv)           if the employment or engagement of a Participant with Ocwen shall be involuntarily terminated under circumstances which would qualify the Participant for benefits under a severance plan of Ocwen or shall terminate his or her employment or engagement with the written consent of Ocwen, the Administrator may elect to vest the Options immediately.  Options granted to the Participant, to the extent exercisable at the date of the Participant’s termination of employment or engagement, may be exercised within six months after the date of termination of employment or engagement, but not later than the expiration date of the Options; and

 

5



 

(v)            except to the extent an Option remains exercisable under paragraphs (A) through (D) above, any Option granted to a Participant shall terminate six months after the date of termination of employment or engagement of the Participant with Ocwen.

 

SECTION 7.         GENERAL TERMS OF AWARDS

 

7.01         Form of Payment of Options.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Option Agreement, payments or substitutions to be made by the Corporation upon the grant, exercise or other payment or distribution of an Option may be made in such forms as the Administrator shall determine at the time of grant or thereafter (subject to the terms of Section 9.01), including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or other property or any combination thereof, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established, or as otherwise determined, by the Administrator.

 

7.02         Limits on Transfer of Options; Beneficiaries.  No right or interest of a Participant in any Option shall be pledged, encumbered or hypothecated to or in favor of any Person other than the Corporation, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any Person other than the Corporation or a Subsidiary except as otherwise established by the Administrator at the time of grant or thereafter.  No Option and no rights or interests therein shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and Options shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant.  A beneficiary, guardian, legal representative or other Person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan and any Option Agreement applicable to such Participant as well as any additional restrictions or limitations deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator.

 

7.03         Registration and Listing Compliance.  No Option shall be paid and no Shares or other securities shall be distributed with respect to any Option in a transaction subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities law or subject to a listing requirement under any listing agreement between the Corporation and any national securities exchange, and no Option shall confer upon any Participant rights to such payment or distribution until such laws and contractual obligations of the Corporation have been complied with in all material respects.  Except to the extent required by the terms of an Option Agreement or another contract between the Corporation and the Participant, neither the grant of any Option nor anything else contained herein shall obligate the Corporation to take any action to comply with any requirements of any such securities laws or contractual obligations relating to the registration (or exemption therefrom) or listing of any Shares or other securities, whether or not necessary in order to permit any such payment or distribution.

 

7.04         Stock Certificates.  All certificates for Shares delivered under the terms of the Plan shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator may deem advisable under federal or state securities laws, rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which Shares are listed or quoted.  The Administrator may cause a legend or legends to be

 

6



 

placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or any other restrictions or limitations that may be applicable to Shares.

 

SECTION 8.         ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS

 

8.01         If a dividend or other distribution shall be declared upon the Common Stock payable in shares of the Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to any outstanding Options shall be adjusted by adding thereto the number of shares of Common Stock which would have been distributable thereon if such shares had been outstanding on the date fixed for determining the shareholders entitled to receive such stock dividend or distribution.

 

If the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchangeable for a different number or kind of shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or another corporation, or cash or other property, whether through reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization, stock split-up, combination of shares, merger or consolidation, then there shall be substituted for each share of Common Stock subject to any then outstanding Option the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities (and in the case of outstanding Options, the cash or other property) into which each outstanding share of the Common Stock shall be so changed or for which each such share shall be exchangeable.

 

In case of any adjustment or substitution as provided for in this Section 8.01, the aggregate option price for all Shares subject to each then outstanding Option prior to such adjustment or substitution shall be the aggregate option price for all shares of stock or other securities (including any fraction), cash or other property to which such Shares shall have been adjusted or which shall have been substituted for such Shares.  Any new option price per share or other unit shall be carried to at least three decimal places with the last decimal place rounded upwards to the nearest whole number.

 

If the outstanding shares of the Common Stock shall be changed in value by reason of any spin-off, split-off or split-up, or dividend in partial liquidation, dividend in property other than cash, or extraordinary distribution to shareholders of the Common Stock, the Administrator shall make any adjustments to any then outstanding Option which it determines are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of optionees which would otherwise result from any such transaction.

 

No adjustment or substitution provided for in this Section 8.01 shall require the Corporation to issue or sell a fraction of a Share or other security.  Accordingly, all fractional Shares or other securities which result from any such adjustment or substitution shall be eliminated and not carried forward to any subsequent adjustment or substitution.

 

In the event of any other change in or conversion of the Common Stock, the Administrator may in its discretion adjust the outstanding Options provided in the Plan in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of rights of Participants.

 

7



 

SECTION 9.         AMENDMENTS TO AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

 

9.01         The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan without the consent of shareholders or Participants, except that, without the approval of the shareholders of the Corporation, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made if shareholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Shares may then be listed, or if the amendment, alteration or other change materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants, increases the number of Shares available under the Plan or modifies the requirements for participation under the Plan, or if the Board in its discretion determines that obtaining such shareholder approval is for any reason advisable; provided, however, that no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination of the Plan may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Option theretofore granted to him.  The Administrator may, consistent with the terms of the Plan, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate, any Option theretofore granted, prospectively or retrospectively; provided, however, that without the consent of a Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination of any Option may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Option theretofore granted to him; and provided further that, except as provided in Section 8.01 of the Plan, the exercise price of any outstanding Option may not be reduced, whether through amendment, cancellation or replacement, unless such reduction is approved by the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

SECTION 10.       GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

10.01       No Shareholder Rights.  No Option shall confer on any Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation unless and until Shares are in fact issued to such Participant in connection with such Option.

 

10.02       Withholding.  To the extent required by applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law, the Participant or his successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation, in its discretion, for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with an Option.  The Corporation shall not be required to issue any Shares or make any other payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.  The Corporation is authorized to withhold from any Option granted or any payment due under the Plan, including from a distribution of Shares, amounts of withholding taxes due with respect to an Option, its exercise or any payment thereunder, and to take such other action as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of such taxes.  This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Shares, Options or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of such tax obligations.

 

10.03       No Right to Employment or Continuation of Service.  Nothing contained in the Plan or any Option Agreement shall confer, and no grant of an Option shall be construed as conferring, upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of Ocwen or to interfere in any way with the right of Ocwen or shareholders to terminate his

 

8



 

employment or service at any time or increase or decrease his compensation, fees, or other payments from the rate in existence at the time of granting of an Option, except as provided in any Option Agreement or other compensation, fee or other arrangement.

 

10.04       Unfunded Status of Options; Creation of Trusts.  The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation.  With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Option, nothing contained in the Plan or any Option Agreement shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Corporation; provided, however, that the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or make other arrangements to meet the Corporation’s obligations under the Plan to deliver Shares or other property pursuant to any Option, which trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Administrator otherwise determines.

 

10.05       No Limit on Other Compensatory Arrangements.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Corporation from adopting other or additional compensation, fee or other arrangements (which may include, without limitation, employment agreements with executives and arrangements which relate to Options under the Plan), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the terms of each Option shall be construed so as to be consistent with such other arrangements in effect at the time of the Option.

 

10.06       No Fractional Shares.  No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Option.  The Administrator shall determine whether cash, other Options or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

10.07       Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be governed by the laws of [the United States Virgin Islands] (without regard to the conflicts of laws thereof).

 

10.08       Severability.  If any provision of the Plan or any Option is or becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Option under any law deemed applicable by the Administrator, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Administrator, materially altering the intent of the Plan or Option, it shall be deleted and the remainder of the Plan or Option shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the provision shall not be construed or deemed amended or deleted with respect to any Participant whose rights and obligations under the Plan are not subject to the law of such jurisdiction or the law deemed applicable by the Administrator.

 

9



 

SECTION 11.       EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

 

11.01       The effective date and date of adoption of the Plan shall be [   ], 2012, the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board, provided that such adoption of the Plan is approved by a majority of the votes cast at a duly held meeting of shareholders at which a quorum representing a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation is, either in person or by proxy, present and voting.  Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Plan or in any Option Agreement, no Option granted under the Plan may be exercised, and no Shares may be distributed pursuant to any Option granted under the Plan, prior to such shareholder approval.

 

10


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

[   ], 2012

 

Dear Shareholders of Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.:

 

In April 2012, Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A., which we refer to as Altisource, announced a plan to separate two closely-related development stage companies.  Upon the separation (the “Separation”), both companies will become separate public companies.  The enclosed information statement specifically addresses one of the two new companies that will, following the separation from Altisource, conduct its operations as Altisource Residential Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“Residential”).

 

Altisource recently formed Residential to acquire and own single-family rental assets.  Residential will engage Altisource Asset Management Corporation, a United States Virgin Islands corporation, recently formed by us and being spun off on or about the same date as Residential, to provide Residential with asset management and corporate governance services.  Residential expects it will elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

The Separation will occur in the fourth quarter of 2012, subject to certain customary closing conditions, by way of a taxable pro rata distribution of Residential common stock to Altisource shareholders. Each Altisource shareholder will receive 1 share of Class B common stock of Residential for every 3 shares of Altisource common stock held by such shareholder as of [    ], 2012, the record date for the Separation.

 

As an Altisource shareholder, you will automatically receive shares of Class B common stock of Residential unless you sell your Altisource shares before the separation date in the “regular way” market as described in the enclosed information statement. If the number of shares of Altisource common stock that you own is not a multiple of 3, you will receive a cash payment in lieu of any fractional share that you otherwise are entitled to receive. The number of shares of Altisource common stock that you currently own will not change as a result of the Separation.  You do not need to take any action or pay any consideration to receive the shares of Class B common stock of Residential in the Separation.

 

Residential will list its Class B common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RESI.” The common stock of Altisource will continue to trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ASPS.”

 

The enclosed information statement, which is being mailed to all Altisource shareholders, describes the Separation in detail and contains important information about Residential. We encourage you to carefully read this information statement.

 

We believe the Separation will enable Altisource and Residential to maximize the strengths of their respective core businesses.  We are proud of what we have built at Altisource and want to ensure you that we will continue to capitalize on innovative ideas and business opportunities.  This is an exciting time for Altisource and Residential, and we believe this Separation is in the best interests of Altisource shareholders. We remain committed to working on behalf of you, our shareholders, to build long-term value.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William B. Shepro

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.

 

i



 

 

[   ], 2012

 

Dear Prospective Shareholders of Altisource Residential Corporation:

 

We look forward to welcoming you as a shareholder of Altisource Residential Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“Residential”). We believe that our independence will allow us to focus on establishing our core business and provide us with the financial and operational flexibility to focus on opportunities to acquire and own single-family rental assets.

 

We expect Residential to become a stand-alone public company on or about [   ], 2012, upon receipt of all required approvals and satisfaction of all other conditions. Our Class B common stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RESI.”

 

I encourage you to learn more about Residential and the objectives that we will pursue as a stand-alone public company by reading the enclosed information statement. It describes the separation in detail, including the conditions to the separation.

 

We look forward to creating long-term value for you, our shareholders.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William C. Erbey

 

Chairman

 

Altisource Residential Corporation

 

ii



 

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Subject to Completion, Dated December 5, 2012

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMON STOCK OF

 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION
by
ALTISOURCE PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS S.A.
to Shareholders of Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.

 

This information statement is being furnished in connection with the spin-off (the “Spin-Off”) of Altisource Residential Corporation, a Maryland corporation (including Altisource Residential, L.P., its operating partnership through which it will acquire and hold its assets, “Residential”) from Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (“Altisource”) by way of a taxable pro rata distribution of all of the common stock of Residential to Altisource shareholders (the “Distribution”). We refer to the Spin-Off and the Distribution collectively as the “Separation.”  Immediately after the Separation is completed, Residential will be a stand-alone public company.

 

For every 3 shares of Altisource common stock, par value $1.00 per share, which we refer to as Altisource common stock, that you hold as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on [   ], 2012, the record date for the Distribution (the “Record Date”), you will receive 1 share of Class B common stock of Residential, par value $0.01 per share, which we refer to as Residential common stock or our common stock. We expect Altisource to distribute shares of our common stock to Altisource’s shareholders at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on or about [   ], 2012 (the “Separation Date”). As discussed more fully in this information statement, if you sell shares of Altisource common stock in the “regular way” market, and the sale of the shares settles before the Separation Date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of Residential common stock in the Separation. For additional information, see “The Separation.”

 

You will not be required to pay any consideration for the Residential common stock or surrender any of your Altisource common stock.  We are not asking you for a proxy and request that you do not send us one.

 

All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are currently owned by Altisource.  Accordingly, there is no current trading market for our common stock.  We expect, however, that a limited trading market for our common stock, known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop [   ] days prior to the Separation Date, and we expect that “regular way” trading of our common stock will begin the first trading day after the Separation Date. We will list the Residential common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “RESI.”

 

In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10.

 

We are an Emerging Growth Company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act.  See “Risk Factors Risks Related to our Business in General ,” “Business Emerging Growth Company Status” and “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Emerging Growth Company Status.”

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined that this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 


 

This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

 


 

The date of this information statement is [    ], 2012.

 

This information statement was first mailed to Altisource shareholders on or about [   ], 2012.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION AND THE SEPARATION

 

1

SUMMARY

 

6

RISK FACTORS

 

10

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

24

THE SEPARATION

 

25

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALTISOURCE AND US FOLLOWING THE SEPARATION

 

49

DISTRIBUTION POLICY

 

51

CAPITALIZATION

 

52

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

53

BUSINESS

 

60

MANAGEMENT

 

65

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

 

70

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

71

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

72

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

 

74

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

 

77

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

78

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

F-1

 

We are furnishing this information statement solely to provide information to Altisource shareholders who will receive our common stock in the Separation. It is not and should not be construed as an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any of our securities or any securities of Altisource. This information statement describes our business, the relationship between Altisource and Residential, and how the Separation affects Altisource and its shareholders, and it also provides other information to assist you in evaluating the benefits and risks of holding or disposing of our common stock that you will receive in the Separation. You should be aware of certain risks relating to the Separation, our business and ownership of our common stock, which are described under the heading “Risk Factors.”

 

You should not assume that the information contained in this information statement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover. Changes to the information contained in this information statement may occur after that date, and we undertake no obligation to update the information except in the normal course of our public disclosure obligations and practices.

 

iv



 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL CORPORATION AND THE SEPARATION

 

What assets, liabilities and operations will comprise Residential in connection with the Separation?

 

In connection with the Separation, we expect to enter into a “Separation Agreement” with Altisource that will contain the key provisions relating to the transaction including identification of the assets to be transferred, and that will describe the material terms of when and how this transfer will occur. We anticipate that the only significant assets to be transferred will be cash.  We do not anticipate the transfer of significant liabilities, and there are no operations included in the transfer.  In addition, we expect to enter into a “Tax Matters Agreement” with Altisource setting out each party’s rights and obligations with respect to Luxembourg and United States (“U.S.”) federal, state and local taxes for tax periods before the Separation and related matters, certain indemnification rights and obligations with respect to taxes for the tax periods before the Separation and for any taxes and associated adverse consequences resulting from the Separation. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Separation,” “Relationship between Altisource and Us Following the Separation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 

 

 

What will Residential’s relationship with Altisource be after the Separation?

 

In connection with the Separation, we expect to enter into a two year “Support Services Agreement” under which Altisource will provide certain services to Residential. There are other arrangements between us and Altisource that will continue following the Separation. See “Relationship between Altisource and Us Following the Separation” for additional details.

 

 

 

Although Altisource is a separate company, Altisource and Residential have the same Chairman, William C. Erbey. Mr. Erbey currently owns 27.71% of Altisource common stock and will own the same percentage of our common stock as he holds of Altisource immediately following the Separation.  This arrangement with Altisource may involve, or may appear to involve, conflicts of interest. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Conflicts of Interest.”

 

Do Residential’s organizational documents contain any anti-takeover provisions?

 

Our Charter and Bylaws and Maryland law contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise not be in the best interests of our shareholders, including business combination provisions, stock ownership limitations, supermajority vote requirements and advance notice requirements for director nominations and shareholder proposals. See “Description of Capital Stock” and “Certain Provisions of our Charter and Bylaws.”

 

 

 

What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Separation?

 

The Separation will be a taxable distribution for U.S. shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The taxable distribution will be equal to the fair market value of the Residential common stock you receive in the Distribution.  That amount will be taxable as a dividend to the extent of Altisource’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, calculated under U.S. tax law.  If the Distribution is in excess of your allocable share of Altisource’s earnings and profits, it will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the tax-basis in your Altisource shares, and then as a capital gain.

 

1



 

What are the U.S. federal withholding tax consequences of the Separation?

 

The Distribution by Altisource to its shareholders will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding taxes.

 

 

 

What are the Luxembourg income tax consequences of the Separation?

 

A non-Luxembourg resident holder will not be subject to Luxembourg income taxes on the Distribution received from Altisource unless the shares are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business maintained in Luxembourg by such non-Luxembourg shareholder. A Luxembourg resident individual holder will be subject to Luxembourg income taxes on dividend income and similar distributions with respect to shares in Altisource. A Luxembourg resident corporation may benefit from the Luxembourg participation exemption with respect to the receipt of the Distribution, if certain conditions are met. See “The Separation—Luxembourg Income Tax Consequences of the Distribution.”

 

 

 

What are the Luxembourg withholding tax consequences of the Separation?

 

The Distribution by Altisource to its holders will not be subject to Luxembourg withholding taxes . See “The Separation—Certain Luxembourg Tax Consequences of the Separation.”

 

 

 

 

 

Each shareholder is urged to consult a tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the Distribution to that shareholder, including the effect of any Luxembourg, U.S. federal, state, local or other foreign tax laws and of changes in applicable tax laws.

 

 

 

What are the risks associated with Residential and the Separation?

 

You should review the risks relating to the Separation, our business and ownership of our common stock described in “Risk Factors.”

 

 

 

What will I receive as a result of the Separation?

 

For every 3 shares of Altisource common stock that you own on the Record Date, you will receive 1 share of Residential common stock, which is referred to as the “Separation Ratio.” If you would be entitled to a fractional share of Residential common stock, you will instead receive a cash payment in lieu of the fractional share. See “The Separation—Treatment of Fractional Shares.” If your shares of Altisource common stock are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer until they vest, the shares of Residential common stock that you receive will be subject to the same restrictions and vesting provisions.

 

 

 

When will the Separation occur?

 

Altisource currently anticipates completing the Separation at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on or about [   ], 2012, which we refer to as the “Separation Date.”  When we refer to the “Separation Date,” we are referring to that date and time.

 

 

 

What is the Record Date for the Separation?

 

The Record Date is [   ], 2012, and ownership of Altisource common stock is determined as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on that date. When we refer to the “Record Date,” we are referring to that date and time.

 

 

 

Is shareholder approval required for the Separation?

 

Shareholder approval is not required for the Separation. Subsequent to final approval by the Altisource Board of Directors and regulatory approval, Altisource will distribute its ownership interest in Residential to its existing shareholders as of the Record Date.

 

 

 

What do I have to do to receive my shares of Residential common stock?

 

Nothing. Your shares of Residential common stock will be either reflected in an account statement that our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, will send to you shortly after [   ], 2012 or credited to your account with your broker or nominee on or about [   ], 2012.

 

 

 

When will I receive my shares of Residential common stock?

 

If you hold your shares of Altisource common stock through your broker or other nominee, you are probably not a shareholder of record, and your receipt of your shares of Residential common stock will depend on your

 

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arrangements with the nominee that holds your shares of Altisource common stock for you.  Altisource anticipates that brokers and other nominees generally will credit their customers’ accounts with shares of Residential common stock on or about [   ], 2012, but you should check with your broker or other nominee. See “The Separation—When and How You Will Receive Your Shares of Residential Common Stock.”

 

How will shares of Residential common stock be distributed to me?

 

Altisource will distribute shares of Residential common stock by book entry. If you were a record holder of Altisource common stock on the Record Date, then you will receive from our transfer agent shortly after the Separation Date a statement of your book entry account for the shares of Residential common stock that are distributed to you. You will not receive a physical certificate evidencing your ownership of Residential common stock. If you were not a record holder of Altisource common stock on the Record Date because your shares are held on your behalf by your broker or other nominee, then your shares of Residential common stock should be credited to your account with your broker or nominee shortly after the Separation Date.

 

Will Altisource distribute fractional shares of Residential common stock?

 

Fractional shares of Residential common stock will not be issued in the Separation. If you would be entitled to receive a fractional share in the Separation, then you will instead receive a cash payment in lieu of the fractional share, which cash payment may be taxable to you. See “The Separation—Treatment of Fractional Shares.”

 

 

 

Will the Separation affect the market price of my shares of Altisource common stock?

 

Following the Separation, Altisource common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ASPS.” As a result of the Separation, the trading price of Altisource shares immediately following the Separation may be lower than immediately prior to the Separation.  Until the market has fully analyzed the operations of Altisource without Residential, the price of Altisource common stock may fluctuate significantly. See “The Separation—Listing and Trading of the Shares of Residential Common Stock.”

 

Where will my shares of Residential common stock trade?

 

Residential common stock has been authorized for listing on the NYSE under the trading symbol “RESI” following completion of the Separation. Trading of Residential common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis on [   ], 2012. See “The Separation—Listing and Trading of the Shares of Residential Common Stock” and “Description of Capital Stock.”

 

When will I be able to trade shares of Residential common stock?

 

Trading of Residential common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis on [   ], 2012. “Regular-way” trading will begin on the first trading day after the Separation Date. In the context of a spin-off, when-issued trading refers to securities transactions made on or before the Separation Date and made conditionally because the securities of the distributed entity have not yet been distributed. When-issued trades generally settle within three trading days after the Separation Date. On the first trading day following the Separation Date, all when-issued trading, if any, will end and regular-way trading in shares of Altisource common stock will begin. Regular-way trading refers to trading after the security has been distributed and typically involves a trade that settles on the third full trading day following the date of the transaction. Residential common stock generally will be freely tradable after the Separation Date although the share price may be subject to greater trading volatility than Altisource shares historically have experienced. See “The Separation—Listing and Trading of the Shares of

 

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Residential Common Stock.”

 

 

 

What is Residential’s distribution policy?

 

We will elect and qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and to make regular distributions in the future to our shareholders. However, any distributions we make in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our actual results of operations, financial condition and such other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. These results and our ability to pay distributions will be affected by various factors. See “Distribution Policy.” 

 

 

 

How will Residential be managed?

 

After the Separation, we will initially be managed by our Board of Directors consisting of five directors. William C. Erbey is the Chairman of our Board of Directors. See “Management.”

 

 

 

How will existing stock options be treated in the Separation?

 

Currently, stock options are outstanding under Altisource’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and other equity incentive plans.  The exercise price of each outstanding stock option of Altisource will be adjusted to reflect the value of Residential common stock distributed to Altisource shareholders. At the Separation Date, all holders of Altisource stock options will receive the following:

 

·                   stock options (issued by Residential) to acquire the number of shares of Residential common stock equal to the product of (a) the number of Altisource stock options held on the Separation Date and (b) the distribution ratio of 1 share of Residential common stock for every 3 shares of Altisource common stock and

·                   an adjusted Altisource stock option, replacing the original Altisource option for the same number of shares of Altisource common stock with a reduced exercise price per stock option.

 

We will determine the exercise price of the new Residential stock option and the adjusted Altisource stock option in a manner so that the intrinsic value of the stock option to its holder will be the same as of the Separation Date.

 

 

 

Do I have appraisal rights in connection with the Separation?

 

No.  Shareholders of Altisource common stock have no appraisal rights in connection with the Separation. See “The Separation—No Appraisal Rights.”

 

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What is the difference between Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock?

 

Beginning on the date Class A common stock is first issued and ending on the third anniversary of such issuance (the “Priority Period”), holders of Class A common stock shall be entitled to receive, prior to any distribution to the holders of Class B common stock, cumulative dividends in an amount equal to $0.644 per year (the “Priority Distribution”).  Prior to the commencement of the Priority Period, holders of Class B common stock shall be entitled to receive unsubordinated dividends, if any. During the Priority Period, after the holders of Class A common stock have received an amount equal to the Priority Distribution, the holders of Class B common stock shall be entitled to receive, prior to any further distributions to the holders of Class A common stock, cumulative dividends in an amount equal to the Priority Distribution. After the holders of Class B common stock have received an amount equal to the Priority Distribution, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock shall receive distributions on a pro rata basis. Currently, there are no shares of Class A common stock outstanding.  See “Description of Capital Stock.”

 

 

 

Who is the transfer agent for Residential common stock?

 

The transfer agent for Residential common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. You can contact the transfer agent at the following address and telephone number:

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

59 Maiden Lane

New York, New York 10038

Telephone: 718-921-8200

Fax: 718-259-1144

 

Please contact the transfer agent with any questions about the Separation or if you need any additional information.

 

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SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this information statement relating to the separation of Residential from Altisource and the distribution of Residential common stock by Altisource to Altisource’s shareholders. This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To better understand the Separation and Residential, you should carefully read this entire information statement including the risks described in “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and the notes thereto beginning on page F-1.

 

Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, “Altisource Residential Corporation,” “Residential,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” refer to Altisource Residential Corporation, a Maryland corporation, and its subsidiaries. All references to “Altisource” are to Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A., a Luxembourg société anonyme and its subsidiaries.

 

Our Business

 

We are organized as a Maryland corporation and intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We were formed on July 19, 2012 by Altisource to acquire and own single-family rental assets.  Our primary sourcing strategy to obtain single-family rental assets includes acquiring sub-performing and non-performing loans as well as single-family homes at or following the foreclosure sale (“REO” or “REO Properties”).  We intend to pursue opportunities to acquire single-family rental assets and sub-performing and non-performing loans throughout the United States as long as such assets meet our desired property characteristics and provide acceptable long term returns. Consequently, neither the allocation of the assets within our portfolio nor the geographic allocation of the assets will be predetermined.

 

The AAMC Asset Management Agreement

 

As compensation for the Services, we will pay AAMC a quarterly incentive fee as follows: (i) 2% of all cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders until the aggregate amount of such cash dividends paid during the quarter divided by the average number of shares of our common stock outstanding during the quarter (the "Quarterly Per Share Distribution Amount") exceeds $0.161, then (ii) 15% of all additional cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders until the Quarterly Per Share Distribution Amount exceeds $0.193, then (iii) 25% of all additional cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders until the Quarterly Per Share Distribution Amount exceeds $0.257, and thereafter (iv) 50% of all additional cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders (in each case as such amounts may be appropriately adjusted from time to time to take into account the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split or stock dividend). The foregoing thresholds will be reduced to the extent that we pay or are deemed to pay dividends of cash from capital transactions and in the event that we pay or are deemed to pay dividends of cash from capital transactions so that a hypothetical holder of one share of our Class B common stock acquired on the Separation Date has received with respect to such share of Class B common stock, since the Separation Date, distributions of cash that are deemed to be cash from capital transactions in an aggregate amount equal to $12.74 (the approximate book value of single share of our Class B common stock as of the Separation Date), then all of the foregoing thresholds will be reduced to zero and we will pay AAMC a quarterly incentive fee equal to 50% of all additional cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders. For the purpose of this calculation, any Class A common stock dividend priority will be disregarded.

 

In the event that we pay or are deemed to pay our shareholders dividends of cash from capital transactions, AAMC will not receive an incentive fee with respect to such capital transactions dividends until a hypothetical holder of one share of our Class B Common stock acquired on the Separation Date has received with respect to such share of Class B common stock, since the Separation Date, distributions of cash that are deemed to be cash from capital transactions in an aggregate amount equal to $12.74. For the purpose of this calculation, any Class A common stock dividend priority will be disregarded. Thereafter, AAMC will be entitled to an incentive fee with respect to any dividends of cash from capital transactions in accordance with the calculation in the preceding paragraph.

 

In addition, we intend to make a preferred investment in NewSource Reinsurance Company Ltd., a title insurance and reinsurance company that will be formed following the Separation and domiciled in Bermuda (“NewSource”). We will engage Altisource Asset Management Corporation, a United States Virgin Islands corporation (“AAMC”), recently formed by Altisource and being spun off on or about the same date as us, to provide us with asset management and corporate governance services (the “Services”) under an asset management agreement (the “AAMC Asset Management Agreement”).

 

Our Business Strategy

 

Our business strategy is to provide a growing stream of dividends to our shareholders by:

 

·             Acquiring single-family rental assets at an attractive cost relative to the REO market through the purchase of non-performing loan portfolios.  Our goal will be to capture what we view as the positive arbitrage in today’s market between the price of non-performing loans, adjusted for carrying costs, and the value of the underlying real estate assets when sold as REO and

·             Managing single-family rental assets nationwide at a lower cost than that of our competitors.

 

To help us achieve this strategy, we will leverage AAMC’s strategic relationships with Altisource and Ocwen Financial Corporation (“Ocwen”).  These relationships provide us with what we believe are two significant competitive advantages.

 

First, we expect that our 15-year Servicing Agreement with Ocwen (the “Ocwen Servicing Agreement”), will enable us to obtain single-family rental assets at a discount to the typical REO acquisition price by acquiring sub-performing or non-performing loans.  This arbitrage exists because there are extended timelines, complexities and uncertainties in managing non-performing and sub-performing loans resulting from the loan modification, foreclosure and REO sale processes.  We believe that Ocwen’s extensive mortgage servicing experience will enable us to shorten non-performing loan resolution timelines by effectively and efficiently (1) converting a portion of the non-performing loan portfolio to performing status and (2) managing the foreclosure process and timelines with respect to the remainder of the portfolio.

 

Based on the industry experience of AAMC’s management team, we believe non-performing loans often sell for as low as 55% of the estimated value of the underlying property securing the loan.  We expect that a portion of the non-performing loans will be returned to performing status primarily through loan modifications.  After the loans are

 

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modified, and following a short seasoning period, we expect the borrowers to refinance these loans near the estimated value of the underlying property — generating very attractive returns for us.

 

We expect that, despite efforts to modify or return the mortgage loans to a performing status, a portion of these mortgage loans will enter into foreclosure, ultimately becoming REO that can be converted into single-family rental assets.  Even after considering the foreclosure expenses and the time value of money, we believe we will be able to acquire REO through the mortgage loan default process at a discount to the typical REO acquisition price.  Additionally, as we intend to retain the majority of the underlying real estate assets, we will avoid some of the typical REO costs (such as real estate brokerage commissions).

 

We expect that our second competitive advantage will be our relationship with Altisource through our 15-year Master Services Agreement with Altisource for construction management, leasing and property management services (the “Altisource Master Services Agreement”).  We believe that Altisource’s real property management experience and centralized vendor management model will allow us to operate single-family rental assets at a lower cost than our competitors.  Our goal is to minimize our property management expenses for a single-family rental asset so that those expenses will be similar to that for an apartment unit managed by a multi-family REIT.  Further, because of Altisource’s distributed vendor model, we can acquire assets nationwide.  This allows us to competitively bid on large sub-performing or non-performing mortgage portfolios with assets dispersed throughout the United States.  Altisource has extensive property management operational experience, managing and maintaining over 90,000 REO Properties for others over the last three years, which represents approximately $9 billion of estimated value in such properties.

 

 

While the Ocwen Servicing Agreement and Altisource Master Services Agreements are not exclusive arrangements, we believe that these relationships will provide us with significant competitive advantages with respect to acquiring and maintaining single-family rental assets, which represent a $3 trillion growth market.  We expect to acquire single-family rental assets with the intention to hold these assets over the long-term with a focus on developing brand and franchise value.  We also believe that the forecasted growth for the single-family rental marketplace, in combination with our projected asset management and acquisition costs and our ability to acquire assets nationwide provide us with a significant opportunity to establish the Company as a leading, externally-managed residential REIT.

 

The Separation

 

We describe in this information statement the assets of Residential that will be contributed by Altisource in connection with the Spin-Off as if Residential were a separate business.  As Residential is a development stage company and has not commenced operations, no historical results of operations are presented. For additional information, see “The Separation—Introduction.”

 

Altisource sent this document to you because you were the holder of Altisource common stock on the Record Date. On April 26, 2012, Altisource announced its intention to spin-off a development stage company into a stand-alone public company that will acquire and own single-family rental assets. Accordingly, upon consummation of the Separation, you will be entitled to receive 1 share of Residential common stock for every 3 shares of Altisource common stock that you held on the Record Date.  We expect the Separation to occur at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on or about [   ], 2012.

 

You do not have to surrender or exchange your shares of Altisource common stock or pay cash or any other consideration to receive your shares of Residential common stock.  The number of shares of Altisource common stock that you currently own will not change as a result of the Separation.

 

This information statement describes our business, our relationship with Altisource and how this transaction affects Altisource and its shareholders.  In addition, it provides other information to assist you in evaluating the benefits and risks of holding or disposing of the shares of our common stock that you will receive in the Distribution.

 

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References in this information statement to our historical assets generally refer to the historical assets of Altisource and its subsidiaries before the Separation. As we are a development stage company and have not commenced operations, there are no historical financial results of operations contained in this information statement. We cannot predict what our financial results will be in the future as a stand-alone public company.

 

Reasons for the Separation

 

Altisource’s Board of Directors determined that separating our business from Altisource is in the best interests of Altisource shareholders. In arriving at its decision, the Board of Directors considered, among other factors, the following:

 

Differing Business Strategies

 

The Company plans to be engaged in a capital intensive business, inconsistent with the business strategy of Altisource.  While we intend to generate revenues by acquiring and owning single-family rental assets at an attractive cost by purchasing sub-performing and non-performing loan portfolios and renting out such single family REO properties, Altisource does not engage in the business of purchasing or renting single family REO properties.  Altisource is primarily a provider of fee based services focused on high value, technology-enabled, knowledge-based functions principally related to real estate and mortgage portfolio management, asset recovery and customer relationship management.

 

Greater Strategic Focus of Financial Resources and Management’s Efforts

 

The Company will have different financial and operating characteristics than Altisource’s other businesses. Owing to these and other factors, we and Altisource will employ different capital structures and financing strategies. Consequently, Altisource has determined that its current structure may not be optimized to design and implement the distinct strategies necessary to operate its businesses in a manner that maximizes the long-term value of each business. We and Altisource believe that our respective management resources would be more efficiently utilized if Altisource’s management concentrates solely on its success as a provider of services focused on high value, technology-enabled, knowledge-based functions and our management concentrates solely on our business. The dilution of attention involved in managing these businesses with competing goals and needs will thus be eliminated.

 

Direct and Differentiated Access to Capital Resources

 

After the Separation, we will no longer need to compete with Altisource for capital resources. Both we and Altisource believe that direct and differentiated access to capital resources will allow us to better optimize the amounts and terms of the capital needed for our respective businesses, aligning financial and operational characteristics with investor and market expectations.

 

Enhanced Investor Choices by Offering Investment Opportunities in Separate Entities

 

We believe investors in the Company will be better positioned to evaluate our financial performance and strategy within the context of our particular field of operations and peer groups and that this will enhance the likelihood that we achieve an appropriate market valuation. Both we and Altisource believe that our investment characteristics may appeal to types of investors who differ from Altisource’s current investors. Both we and Altisource expect that, as a result of the Separation, our management will be better positioned to implement goals and evaluate strategic opportunities in light of investor expectations within the context of our particular field of operation.

 

In determining whether to effect the Separation, Altisource’s Board of Directors also considered the costs and risks associated with the transaction, including:

 

·                   the potential costs and disruptions as a result of the Separation;

·                   the risks of being unable to achieve the benefits expected from the Separation;

·                   the increased significance to the Company of certain costs and liabilities;

 

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·                   the risk that the Separation might not be completed and the one-time and ongoing costs of the Separation; and

·                   certain other risks associated with the Separation and the operation of our business following the Separation, as described under the heading “Risk Factors” of this information statement.

 

Regulatory Approval

 

Apart from the registration under U.S. federal securities laws of the Residential common stock that will be issued in the Separation, we do not believe that any other material governmental or regulatory filings or approvals will be necessary to consummate the Separation.

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

Altisource shareholders will not have appraisal rights in connection with the Separation.

 

Risk Factors

 

You should carefully consider the matters discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” of this information statement.

 

Corporate Information

 

We are a Maryland corporation that conducts its operations in the U.S.  Our principal executive offices are c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 402 Strand St., Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands 00840-3531 , and our main telephone number is (340) 692-1055.  Our corporate website is located at www.altisourceresi.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this information statement.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and we are eligible to avail ourselves of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements of public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to an exemption from complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We have not made a decision whether to avail ourselves of certain of these exemptions.

 

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can utilize an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, allowing it to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we are choosing to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for all public companies which are not emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

 

We could remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS IN GENERAL

 

We are a development stage company and have generated no revenue since our inception. We have not acquired single-family rental assets or sub-performing and non-performing loans, and we will not commence operations until immediately after the Separation. If we are unable to implement our business strategy or operate our business as we currently expect to do, our operating results may be adversely affected.

 

We are a development stage company and our business model is untested. Businesses like ours, which are starting up or in their initial stages of development, present substantial business and financial risks and may suffer significant losses. We cannot predict what our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows will be once we commence operations and operate as a stand-alone public company. We have generated no revenue to date and may not have sufficient capital to implement our business model. In addition, there are increased costs associated with being a stand-alone public company, including maintaining a separate Board of Directors and obtaining a separate audit, in addition to accounting, tax, legal, insurance, and compliance costs and other professional fees.  Currently, we are unable to estimate the amount of such expenses. As a result of these circumstances, we cannot assure you that the business will become profitable, or, if we become profitable, that it will be sustainable. The income potential of our proposed business is unproven, and the absence of an operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our prospects. We may not be able to execute our business strategy as planned which may adversely impact our financial performance.

 

We will depend on AAMC, agreements AAMC has negotiated on our behalf and AAMC’s key personnel for our success. We may not be able to retain our exclusive engagement of AAMC if (i)  the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is terminated or (ii) we fail to maintain enough capital to acquire REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loans.

 

Our success will be dependent upon our relationships with, and the performance of, AAMC and its key personnel.  Key personnel may leave the employment of AAMC, may become distracted by adverse financial or operational issues in connection with their business and activities unrelated to us and over which we have no control or may fail to perform for any reason.  The AAMC Asset Management Agreement will provide that AAMC will not offer the Services to another person or entity that invests in REO Properties and/or sub-performing and non-performing loans provided we maintain available capital to acquire such assets. In the event that, for any reason, the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is terminated or AAMC is unable to retain its key personnel, it may be difficult for us to secure suitable replacements on acceptable terms.  Further, in the event we are unable to maintain sufficient available capital to acquire REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loans, AAMC may provide its Services to a competitor, and it may be difficult for us to secure a suitable replacement or maintain our exclusive engagement of AAMC.  We are unable to terminate the AAMC Asset Management Agreement during the first two years of its term except “for cause” (as defined therein).  In the event we terminate the AAMC Asset Management Agreement without cause or AAMC terminates the Asset Management Agreement due to our default in the performance of any material term of the AAMC Asset Management Agreement, we will be required to pay a significant termination fee and the Ocwen Servicing Agreement and the Residential Negotiated Agreements (as defined below) may simultaneously terminate.  The occurrence of any of the above-described events would adversely impact the value of your investment.

 

AAMC will have a contractually defined duty to us rather than a fiduciary duty.

 

Under the AAMC Asset Management Agreement, AAMC will have a contractual as opposed to a fiduciary relationship with us which limits AAMC’s obligations to us to those specifically set forth in the AAMC Asset Management Agreement.  The ability of AAMC and its officers and employees to engage in other business activities may reduce the time AAMC spends managing us. In addition, unlike for directors, there is no statutory standard of conduct under the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) for officers of a Maryland corporation. Instead, officers of a Maryland corporation, including officers who are employees of AAMC, are subject to general

 

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agency principals, including the exercise of reasonable care and skill in the performance of their responsibilities, as well as the duties of loyalty, good faith and candid disclosure.

 

The continuing unpredictability of the credit markets may restrict our access to capital and may make it difficult or impossible for us to obtain any required additional financing.

 

The domestic and international credit markets continue to experience significant unpredictability. In the event that we need additional capital for our business, we may face challenges in obtaining it and/or the terms upon which we can obtain it would have an adverse impact on our financial performance.

 

Failure of Altisource to effectively perform its obligations under various agreements with AAMC , and us, including the Altisource Master Services Agreement, could have an adverse effect on AAMC’s and our business and performance.

 

Both AAMC and we will engage Altisource to provide services subsequent to the Separation.  We believe that this relationship will provide us with significant competitive advantages. If for any reason Altisource is unable to perform the services described under these agreements at the level and/or the cost that the Company anticipates, alternate service providers may not be readily available on acceptable terms or at all, which could adversely affect AAMC’s and our operating results as well as our ability to execute our business plan.

 

In addition, we will be required to pay Altisource for the services it provides pursuant to the Altisource Master Services Agreement.  If we fail to pay Altisource or otherwise default under the Altisource Master Services Agreement, Altisource may cease to act under the Altisource Master Services Agreement which would adversely affect our operating results and our ability to execute our business plan.

 

Any diminishment in Altisource’s performance under, or termination of, the Altisource Master Services Agreement or any of Altisource’s other agreements with AAMC or us would negatively impact, or potentially eliminate, the competitive advantage provided by such agreements.

 

Failure of Ocwen to effectively perform its servicing obligations under the Ocwen Servicing Agreement could have an adverse effect on our business and performance.

 

We will be contractually obligated to service the residential mortgage loans that we ultimately acquire.  We will not have any employees, servicing platform, licenses or technical resources necessary to service our acquired loans.  Consequently, we will engage Ocwen to service the loans we acquire.  We believe that this relationship will provide us with significant competitive advantages. If for any reason Ocwen is unable to service the acquired loans at the level and/or the cost that the Company anticipates, an alternate servicer may not be readily available on acceptable terms or at all, which could adversely affect our operating results, thereby having an adverse effect on our ability to execute our business plan.

 

In addition, under the Ocwen Servicing Agreement, we will be required to pay Ocwen fees for servicing our acquired mortgage loans.  If we fail to pay Ocwen or otherwise default under the Ocwen Servicing Agreement, Ocwen may cease to act as the servicer under the Ocwen Servicing Agreement which would adversely affect our operating results and our ability to execute our business plan.

 

Any diminishment in Ocwen’s performance under, or termination of, the Ocwen Servicing Agreement would negatively impact, or potentially eliminate, the competitive advantage provided by such agreement.

 

Your investment return may be reduced if we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

We intend to rely on the exception from the Investment Company Act set forth in Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act, which excludes from the definition of investment company “[a]ny person who is not engaged in the business of issuing redeemable securities, face-amount certificates of the installment type or periodic payment plan certificates, and who is primarily engaged in one or more of the following businesses: . . . (C) purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.”  The SEC staff generally requires that, for the exception provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) to be available, at least 55% of an entity’s assets be comprised of mortgages

 

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and other liens on and interests in real estate, also known as “qualifying interests,” and at least another 25% of the entity’s assets must be comprised of additional qualifying interests or real estate-type interests  (with no more than 20% of the entity’s assets comprised of miscellaneous assets).  Other than our investment in NewSource, we believe that all of our assets will fall within the definition of “qualifying interests”.  Additionally, we do not currently expect to issue redeemable securities, face-amount certificates of the installment type or periodic payment plan certificates, as those terms are defined by the Investment Company Act.  Consequently, we believe that we will not be required to register under the Investment Company Act.

 

If we are deemed to be an investment company and our investment in NewSource accounts for more than 20% of our assets, we could be required to dispose of our NewSource investment (or a portion thereof) in order to qualify for the 3(c)(5)(C) exception.  We expect that our investment in NewSource will constitute less than 20% of our assets shortly after the Separation Date.  Consequently, we do not believe that our investment in NewSource will impact our ability to continue to rely on the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exemption.

 

However, in August 2011, the SEC issued a concept release which indicated that the SEC is reviewing whether issuers who own certain mortgage related investments which rely on the exception from registration under Section 3(c)(5)(C), which we similarly rely upon, should continue to be allowed to rely on such exception from registration.  Since our primary investment strategy is to directly invest in REO Properties and mortgages secured by real estate, we do not believe that the SEC’s review will have a material impact on our status as a non-investment company business or our ability to continue to rely on the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exception; however, we cannot provide you with any assurance that the outcome of the SEC’s review will not require us to register under the Investment Company Act.  If we are determined to be an investment company and we fail to qualify for this exception from registration as an investment company, or the SEC determines that companies that engage in businesses similar to ours are no longer able to rely on this exception, we may be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

Registration under the Investment Company Act would require us to comply with a variety of substantive requirements that impose, among other things:

 

·                   limitations on capital structure;

·                   restrictions on specified investments;

·                   restrictions on retaining earnings;

·                   restrictions on leverage or senior securities;

·                   restrictions on unsecured borrowings;

·                   requirements that our income be derived from certain types of assets;

·                   prohibitions on transactions with affiliates; and

·                   compliance with reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy disclosure and other rules and regulations that would significantly increase our operating expenses.

 

If we were required to register as an investment company but failed to do so, we would be prohibited from engaging in our business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us.

 

Registration with the SEC as an investment company would be costly, would subject us to a host of complex regulations and would divert attention from the conduct of our business. In addition, if we purchase or sell any real estate assets to avoid becoming an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we could materially adversely affect our net asset value, the amount of funds available for investment and our ability to pay distributions to our shareholders.

 

The reduced disclosure requirements applicable to us as an “emerging growth company” or a “smaller reporting company” may make our common stock less attractive to investors.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and we may avail ourselves of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements of public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, an exemption from complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and, like smaller reporting companies, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and

 

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exemptions from the requirement of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five full fiscal years following our initial public offering. We would cease to be an emerging growth company, and, therefore, become ineligible to rely on the above exemptions, if we have more than $1 billion in annual revenue in a fiscal year, if we issue more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period, or on the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter.  We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions.

 

Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  As a smaller reporting company we prepare and file SEC forms similar to other SEC reporting companies; however the information disclosed may differ and be less comprehensive. For example, smaller reporting companies are not required to make risk factor disclosures in Item 1A of Form 10-K.

 

If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of the exemptions available to us as a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock (assuming a market ever develops) and our stock price may be more volatile than that of an otherwise comparable company that does not avail itself of the same or similar exemptions.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF REAL ESTATE AND REAL ESTATE RELATED ASSETS

 

Our supply of REO Properties may be reduced by uncertainty in the lending industry and governmental sector and/or general economic improvement.

 

Our business model is dependent on the acquisition of a steady supply of REO Properties. The number of REO Properties may be reduced by uncertainty in the lending industry and the governmental sector and/or as a result of general economic improvement. Lenders may choose to delay foreclosure proceedings, renegotiate interest rates or refinance mortgages for holders who face foreclosure. In recent years, the federal government has instituted a number of programs aimed at assisting at-risk mortgage holders and reducing the number of properties going into foreclosure. In the future, the federal government could institute additional programs to provide financial relief and assistance to mortgage holders at risk of foreclosure. General economic improvement and/or decisions by lenders and government programs that reduce the number of REO Properties could adversely affect our business opportunities and impact our overall financial performance.

 

Our supply of REO Properties and financial performance may be impacted by federal, state and/or local action to increase timelines associated with foreclosure proceedings and/or the imposition of a moratorium on foreclosure proceedings or initial foreclosure filings.

 

The number of REO Properties available and/or obtained by us may be reduced by federal, state and/or local action to increase timelines associated with foreclosure proceedings and/or the imposition of a moratorium on foreclosure proceedings or initial foreclosure filings.  As in recent years, federal, state and/or local governing bodies or agencies may pass laws, regulations or take other legislative action that may delay or stop existing foreclosure proceedings and/or the commencement of foreclosure actions.  Any such actions would reduce the number of REO Properties available and/or obtained by us and therefore could adversely affect our business opportunities.  Any such actions would also increase the carrying cost of non-performing loans that we expect to become REO and impact our overall financial performance.

 

Our supply of sub-performing and non-performing loans may decline over time as a result of higher credit standards for new loans and/or general economic improvement.

 

Our business model is also dependent on the acquisition of a steady supply of sub-performing and non-performing mortgage loans.  As a result of the economic crisis in 2008, there is currently a large supply of sub-performing and non-performing loans available for us to acquire.  However, in response to the economic crisis, the origination of jumbo, subprime, Alt-A and second lien mortgage loans has dramatically declined.  In addition, lenders have increased their standards of credit-worthiness in originating new loans.  For these reasons along with a general improvement in the economy, the supply of sub-performing and non-performing mortgage loans that we may acquire may decline over time and could adversely affect our business opportunities and result in a reduction of our operating income.

 

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Competition in identifying and acquiring real estate or real estate related assets in a timely manner may adversely affect our financial results.

 

We will face competition from various companies for investment opportunities in REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loans, including REITs, pension funds, insurance companies, hedge funds, other investment funds and companies, partnerships and developers. Some third party competitors have substantially greater financial resources than we do and may be able to accept more risk than we can. Competition from these companies may reduce the number of suitable REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loan investment opportunities offered to us or increase the bargaining power of asset owners seeking to sell. If such events occur, our financial performance may be adversely impacted and therefore have adverse consequences to us.

 

Our operating results will depend on the availability of, and our ability to quickly identify and acquire appropriate REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loan investment opportunities. It may take considerable time for us to acquire appropriate REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loan investments. Given the existing competition, complexity of the market, and requisite time needed to make such investments, no assurance can be given that we will be successful in acquiring investments which satisfy our return objectives. Furthermore, there is no assurance that such investments, once acquired, will perform as intended.

 

Continued disruptions in the credit markets may adversely impact our business opportunities and financial results.

 

Disruptions and dislocations in the credit markets have materially impacted the cost and availability of debt to finance real estate acquisitions. This lack of available credit could result in a further reduction of suitable investment opportunities and create a competitive advantage for other companies that have greater financial resources than our Company. In addition, as the economy recovers, the number of companies and the amount of funds competing for suitable investments may increase. If we acquire single-family rental assets or REO Properties and other investments at higher prices or by using less than ideal capital structures, our returns will be lower and the value of our assets may not appreciate or may decrease significantly below the amount we paid for such assets, which would adversely impact our financial performance.

 

Changes in global economic and capital markets conditions, including periods of generally deteriorating real estate industry fundamentals, may significantly impact our financial performance.

 

We will be subject to risks generally incident to the ownership of real estate and real estate related assets, including decreases in residential property values, changes in global, national, regional or local economic, demographic and real estate market conditions, as well as other factors particular to the locations of our investments. A prolonged recession, such as the one experienced over the past few years, and a prolonged recovery period could adversely impact our business as a result of, among other items, increased tenant defaults under our leases, lower demand for residential rentals, as well as a potential oversupply of residential rental units, each of which could lead to increased concessions or reduced rental rates to maintain occupancies. These conditions could also adversely impact the financial condition of the tenants that occupy our real estate properties and, as a result, their ability to pay rent, which would significantly impact our financial performance.

 

In addition, we intend to invest in the non-voting preferred stock of NewSource, a title insurance company and reinsurance company.  The demand for title insurance-related services depends in large part on the volume of real estate transactions. The volume of these transactions historically has been influenced by such factors as mortgage interest rates, availability of financing and the overall state of the economy. When market conditions cause real estate activity to decline, the title insurance industry tends to experience decreased revenues and earnings.  Thus, a decline of activity in the real estate market could adversely impact NewSource’s ability to pay the dividend on our preferred stock and the value of our investment in NewSource.

 

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Unfavorable changes in market and economic conditions could adversely affect occupancy, rental rates, operating expenses and the overall market value of our assets.

 

Local conditions will significantly affect occupancy, rental rates and the operating performance of our single-family rental assets. The risks that may adversely affect conditions in those markets include, amongst others, the following:

 

·                   joblessness or unemployment rates that adversely affect the local economy;

·                   an oversupply of, or a reduced demand for, single-family homes for rent;

·                   a decline in household formation or employment or lack of employment growth;

·                   the inability or unwillingness of residents to pay rent increases;

·                   rent control or rent stabilization laws, or other laws regulating housing, that could prevent us from raising rents to offset increases in operating costs and

·                   economic conditions that could cause an increase in our operating expenses, such as increases in property taxes, utilities and routine maintenance.

 

Changes in applicable laws, or noncompliance with applicable laws, could adversely affect our operations or expose us to liability.

 

As an owner of real estate, we will be required to comply with numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, some of which may conflict with one another or be subject to limited judicial or regulatory interpretations. These laws and regulations may include zoning laws, building codes, landlord-tenant laws and other laws generally applicable to business operations. Noncompliance with laws or regulations could expose us to liability.

 

Lower revenue growth or significant unanticipated expenditures may result from our need to comply with changes in (i) laws imposing remediation requirements and the potential liability for environmental conditions existing on properties or the restrictions on discharges or other conditions, (ii) rent control or rent stabilization laws or other residential landlord-tenant laws, or (iii) other governmental rules and regulations or enforcement policies affecting the rehabilitation, use and operation of our single-family rental assets, including changes to building codes and fire and life-safety codes.

 

In addition, we expect NewSource, the title insurance and reinsurance company in which we intend to invest, to register as a Class 3A Bermuda insurance company and be subject to regulation and supervision in Bermuda by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. Changes in Bermuda insurance statutes, regulations and policies could result in restrictions on NewSource’s ability to pursue its business plans, issue reinsurance policies, distribute funds and execute its investment strategy.  In addition, NewSource may become subject to regulation and supervision by insurance authorities in any other jurisdictions in which it operates. Failure to comply with or to obtain appropriate authorizations and/or exemptions under any applicable laws could result in restrictions on NewSource’s ability to do business or certain activities that are regulated in one or more of the jurisdictions in which it operates and could subject NewSource to fines and other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on NewSource’s business and adversely impact NewSource’s ability to pay the preferred dividend on our preferred stock and the value of our investment in NewSource.

 

Short-term leases will expose us to the effects of declining market rents.

 

Substantially all of our leases will be for a term of two years or less. Because these leases will generally permit the residents to leave at the end of the lease term without penalty, our rental revenues will be impacted by declines in market rents more quickly than if our leases were for longer terms.

 

Competition could limit our ability to lease single-family rental assets or increase or maintain rents.

 

Our single-family rental assets will compete with other housing alternatives to attract residents, including rental apartments, condominiums and other single-family homes available for rent, as well as new and existing condominiums and single-family homes for sale. Competitive residential housing in a particular area could adversely affect our ability to lease our single-family rental assets and to increase or maintain rental rates.

 

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Difficulties in selling single-family rental assets could limit our flexibility.

 

Federal tax laws may limit our ability to earn a gain on the sale of a single-family rental asset or group of rental assets if we are found to have held or acquired the asset or group of assets with the intent to resell, and this limitation may affect our ability to sell single-family rental assets without adversely affecting returns to our shareholders. In addition, real estate can at times be difficult to sell quickly at prices we find acceptable. These potential difficulties in selling real estate in our markets may limit our ability to change or reduce the single-family rental assets in our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.

 

A significant uninsured property or liability loss could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We will carry commercial general liability insurance and property insurance with respect to our single-family rental assets on terms we consider commercially reasonable. There are, however, certain types of losses (such as losses arising from acts of war) that are not insured, in full or in part, because they are either uninsurable or the cost of insurance makes it economically impractical. If an uninsured property loss or a property loss in excess of insured limits were to occur, we could lose our capital invested in a single-family rental asset or group of rental assets as well as the anticipated future revenues from such asset or group of assets. We would also continue to be obligated to repay any mortgage indebtedness or other obligations related to the asset or group of assets, if any. If an uninsured liability to a third party were to occur, we would incur the cost of defense and settlement with, or court ordered damages to, that third party. A significant uninsured property or liability loss could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial condition and results of operations.

 

A significant number of our single-family rental assets will be part of home owners’ associations (“HOAs”). We and our tenants will be subject to the rules and regulations of such HOAs which may be arbitrary or restrictive, and violations of such rules may subject us to additional fees and penalties and litigation with such HOAs which may be costly.

 

A significant number of our single-family rental assets will be subject to HOAs, which are private entities that regulate the activities of and levy assessments on properties in a residential subdivision. Some of the HOAs that will govern our single-family assets may enact onerous or arbitrary rules that restrict our ability to renovate, market or lease our single-family rental assets or require us to renovate or maintain such assets at standards or costs that are in excess of our planned operating budgets. Such rules may include requirements for landscaping, limitations on signage promoting a property for lease or sale, or the use of specific construction materials to be used in renovations. Some HOAs also impose limits on the number of property owners who may rent their homes, which if met or exceeded, may cause us to incur additional costs to sell the affected single family rental asset and opportunity costs of lost rental income. Furthermore, many HOAs impose restrictions on the conduct of occupants of homes and the use of common areas, and we may have tenants who violate these HOA rules for which we may be liable as the property owner. Additionally, the boards of directors of the HOAs that will govern our single-family rental assets may not make important disclosures or may block our access to HOA records, initiate litigation, restrict our ability to sell, impose assessments or arbitrarily change the HOA rules. We may be unaware of or unable to review or comply with certain HOA rules before acquiring a single-family rental asset, and any such excessively restrictive or arbitrary regulations may cause us to sell such asset, prevent us from renting such asset or otherwise reduce our cash flow from such asset.  Any of the above-described occurrences may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may incur costs due to class actions and/or tenant rights and consumer demands or litigation.

 

There are numerous tenants’ rights and consumer rights organizations throughout the country.  As we grow in scale, we may attract attention from some of these organizations and become a target of legal demands or litigation. Many such consumer organizations have become more active and better funded in connection with mortgage foreclosure-related issues and the increased market for single-family rentals arising from displaced home ownership.  Some of these organizations may shift their litigation, lobbying, fundraising and grass roots organizing activities to focus on landlord-tenant issues. While we intend to conduct our business lawfully and in compliance with applicable landlord-tenant and consumer laws, such organizations might work in conjunction with trial and pro bono lawyers in one state or multiple states to attempt to bring claims against us on a class action basis for damages or injunctive relief. We cannot anticipate what form such legal actions might take, or what remedies they may seek. Additionally,

 

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these organizations may lobby local county and municipal attorneys or state attorneys general to pursue enforcement or litigation against us, or may lobby state and local legislatures to pass new laws and regulations to constrain our business operations. If they are successful in any such endeavors, they could directly limit and constrain our business operations and impose on us significant litigation expenses, including settlements to avoid continued litigation or judgments for damages or injunctions. Any of the above-described occurrences may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We will likely be involved in a variety of litigation.

 

We anticipate involvement in a wide range of court actions in the ordinary course of our business. These actions may include eviction proceedings and other landlord-tenant disputes, challenges to title and ownership rights (including actions brought by prior owners alleging wrongful foreclosure by their lender or servicer) and issues with local housing officials arising from the condition or maintenance of a single-family rental asset. While we intend to vigorously defend any claim, no assurance can be given that we will not be subject to material losses related to such litigation.  Such losses may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may incur costs due to environmental contamination or non-compliance.

 

Under various federal, state and local environmental and public health laws, regulations and ordinances, we may be required, regardless of knowledge or responsibility, to investigate and remediate the effects of hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum product releases at our single-family rental assets (including in some cases natural substances such as methane and radon gas) and may be held liable under these laws or common law to a governmental entity or to third parties for property, personal injury or natural resources damages and for investigation and remediation costs incurred as a result of the contamination. These damages and costs may be substantial and may exceed any insurance coverage we have for such events. The presence of such substances, or the failure to properly remediate the contamination, may adversely affect our ability to borrow against, sell or rent the affected single-family rental asset. In addition, some environmental laws create or allow a government agency to impose a lien on the contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and costs it incurs as a result of the contamination.

 

The interest rate environment impacts our financial results.

 

We intend to focus primarily on investing in, financing, managing and renting single-family rental assets.  Some of these assets will generally decline in value if long-term interest rates increase, while lower interest rates will generally result in an increase in value.  Declines in the value of our single-family rental assets and/or sub-performing and non-performing loans may ultimately reduce earnings or result in losses or cause some or all of our assets to become illiquid.

 

Our operating results will depend in part on the difference between the operating income from our assets, net of credit losses, and financing costs.  Increases in these rates will tend to decrease our net income and the value of our assets.

 

Inflation or deflation may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Increased inflation could have an adverse impact on interest rates, property management expenses and general and administrative expenses, as these costs could increase at a rate higher than our rental and other revenue. Conversely, deflation could lead to downward pressure on rents and other sources of income. Accordingly, inflation or deflation could adversely affect either or both of our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our real properties will be subject to property and other taxes that may increase over time.

 

We will be responsible for property taxes for our single-family rental assets and REO which may increase as tax rates change and as properties are reassessed by taxing authorities.  If we fail to pay any such taxes, the applicable taxing authorities may place a lien on the property, and the property may be subject to a tax sale. Any such occurrence may adversely affect Residential’s financial condition and results from operations.

 

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RISKS RELATED TO THE SEPARATION

 

We have never operated on a stand-alone basis, and our transition to a stand-alone company may adversely affect our ability to conduct business.

 

We will need to establish certain facilities, systems, infrastructure and personnel after the Separation. We will incur capital and other costs associated with developing and implementing our own support functions in these areas.  Additionally, after the Separation, we may be unable to obtain goods, services and technologies at prices or on terms as favorable to us as those obtained by Altisource prior to the Separation.   This transition may constrain or otherwise adversely affect our ability to conduct business.

 

Our accounting and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared to meet the financial reporting and other requirements to which we will be subject following the Separation.

 

As a result of the Separation, we will be directly subject to reporting and other obligations under the Exchange Act.  The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we are required to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures. To comply with these requirements, we may need to implement additional financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures and hire additional accounting and finance staff. We expect to incur annual expenses for the purpose of addressing these requirements, and these expenses may be significant. If we are unable to implement additional controls, reporting systems, information technology systems and procedures in a timely and effective fashion, our ability to comply with our financial reporting requirements and other rules that apply to reporting companies under the Exchange Act could be impaired. Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In the future, we may also be required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act which will require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm addressing these assessments. These reporting and other obligations may place significant demands on our management, administrative and operational resources, including accounting systems and resources.

 

RISKS RELATED TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SEPARATION

 

Since the Distribution will be taxable, the Internal Revenue Service may disagree with our valuation of the common stock which could result in a higher tax cost to both Altisource and its shareholders.

 

The Distribution will be taxable to Altisource shareholders based on the fair market value of the shares of our common stock that are received.   In addition, for Altisource, the Separation will be a realization event, which could cause Altisource to have to recognize capital gains on our common stock, which would have to be included in its tax base and would be subject to 28.8% Luxembourg corporate income and municipal business tax.  Because we are a development stage company, we do not expect the value of the shares of our common stock received by Altisource shareholders to be significantly higher than the book value of the Company.  However, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and the Luxembourg taxing authority could disagree with our valuation of the shares of our common stock received by you which could result in a higher tax cost for both your receipt of the shares of common stock and for Altisource.

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK

 

The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.

 

Prior to the Separation, our common stock had no trading market. We will list our common stock on the NYSE and expect trading in our common stock to commence on a “when-issued” basis on or about [   ], 2012.

 

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Neither we nor Altisource can assure you as to the trading price of our common stock after the Separation. An active trading market in our common stock might not develop or continue. Unless and until our common stock is fully distributed and an orderly market develops, the prices at which our common stock trades may fluctuate significantly. In addition, the combined trading prices of Altisource common stock and our common stock after the Separation may, in the aggregate, be less than, equal to or greater than the trading price of Altisource common stock prior to the Separation. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate in response to many things, including but not limited to:

 

·                   quarterly variations in actual or anticipated results of our operations;

·                   changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

·                   actions or announcements by our competitors;

·                   lack of liquidity;

·                   regulatory actions and

·                   changes in the market outlook for the lending and real estate industries.

 

Furthermore, our smaller size and different investment characteristics may not appeal to the current investor base of Altisource that may seek to dispose of large amounts of our common stock following the Separation. There is no assurance that there will be sufficient buying interest to offset those sales, and, accordingly, the price of our common stock could be depressed and/or experience periods of high volatility.

 

An active trading market for our common stock may never develop.

 

We will list our common stock on the NYSE. However, an active trading market for our common stock may not develop on that exchange or elsewhere, and if an active trading market does develop, it may not be sustained. Accordingly, your ability to sell your shares of common stock when desired, or the prices that may be obtained for such common stock, will depend on the existence and liquidity of an active trading market of our common stock.

 

The continuing unpredictability of the credit markets may restrict our liquidity and may make it difficult or impossible for us to obtain additional financing.

 

Currently, the primary source of our capital will be the cash on hand subsequent to our Separation from Altisource.  In the event we desire to raise capital to grow our business, we will evaluate a number of potential capital raising alternatives, including the issuance and sale of shares of Class A common stock, the issuance and sale of debt securities and entering into credit facilities with banks or other lending institutions.

 

If we issue debt or obtain bank loans, the financing will likely be governed by certain provisions that may restrict our operating flexibility. Additionally, an issuance of equity securities or convertible or exchangeable securities may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock. Furthermore, we and, indirectly, our shareholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue securities through accessing the capital markets or entering into credit agreements will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate our future capital structure.  In addition, our shareholders bear the risk of changes to our future capital structure which may not be cost effective and may have a dilutive impact on our shareholders.

 

Upon the issuance of Class A common stock (as defined below), the right of holders of Class B common stock to receive dividends will be subordinate to the right of Class A shareholders to receive dividends during the Priority Period (as defined in our Description of Capital Stock).

 

During the Priority Period, the holders of Class B common stock will not receive dividends until holders of Class A common stock have received the Priority Distribution (as defined in our Description of Capital Stock).  If we fail to pay dividends in an amount equal to the Priority Distribution, then the holders of Class B common stock will not receive a dividend payment during the Priority Period.

 

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The value we attribute to the Altisource and Residential common stock for the purpose of determining the revised exercise price of the Altisource stock options and the exercise price of the new Residential stock options might not be equivalent to the market price of the Altisource and Residential common stock following the Separation.

 

In connection with the Separation, all holders of Altisource stock options will receive: (1) a new Residential stock option to acquire the number of shares of Residential common stock equal to the product of (a) the number of Altisource stock options held on the Separation Date and (b) the distribution ratio of 1 share of Residential common stock for every 3 shares of Altisource common stock; and (2) an adjusted Altisource option replacing the original Altisource option for the same number of shares of Altisource common stock with a reduced exercise price per stock option. We will determine the exercise price of the new stock option and the adjusted Altisource option in a manner so that the intrinsic value of the stock option to its holder will be the same as of the Separation Date.  However, fluctuations in the market price of the Altisource and Residential common stock may cause this ratio to vary greatly following the Separation. In addition, although the intrinsic value will be the same, the fair value of the option may be different due to potential changes in the expected stock price volatility, option life and other factors that we use to determine fair value using the Black-Scholes and binomial options pricing models.

 

RISKS RELATED TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

We could have conflicts with Altisource, Ocwen, Home Loan Servicing Solutions, Ltd. (“HLSS”) and AAMC, and the Chairman and other members of our Board of Directors could have conflicts of interest due to his or their relationship with Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS and AAMC, which may be resolved in a manner adverse to us.

 

Conflicts may arise between Altisource and us as a result of our ongoing agreements and the nature of our respective businesses. Altisource will provide us with residential property management, leasing and construction management services for our acquired REO Properties. In addition, we will become a party to a variety of agreements with Altisource in connection with the Separation, and we may enter into further agreements with Altisource after the Separation. Certain of our directors may be subject to conflicts of interest with respect to such agreements and other matters due to their relationships with Altisource.

 

Conflicts may arise between Ocwen and us as a result of our ongoing agreements and the nature of our respective businesses.  Ocwen will perform substantially all of the mortgage loan servicing functions relating to our acquisition and ownership of mortgage loans. Certain of our directors may be subject to conflicts of interest with respect to such agreements and other matters due to their concurrent roles as directors of Ocwen.

 

The Chairman of our Board of Directors is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS and AAMC. As a result, he has obligations to us as well as to Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS and AAMC and may have conflicts of interest with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us and Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS or AAMC, as the case may be.

 

David Reiner is a member of our Board of Directors and a member of the Board of Directors for HLSS.  As a result, he has obligations to us as well as to HLSS and may potentially have conflicts of interest with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us and HLSS.

 

Our Chairman currently owns a substantial amount of Altisource, Ocwen and HLSS common stock and Altisource and Ocwen stock options, and, subsequent to the Separation, will own a substantial amount of our common stock and AAMC’s common stock. In addition, certain of our directors also may own Altisource and/or Ocwen common stock and stock options due to similar current relationships with Altisource and Ocwen. Such ownership could create or appear to create potential conflicts of interest when the Chairman of our Board of Directors and our directors are faced with decisions that involve us, Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS, AAMC or any of their respective subsidiaries.

 

Altisource, Ocwen, and HLSS are not limited in their ability to compete with us.  We will seek to manage these potential conflicts through dispute resolution and other provisions of our agreements with them and through oversight by independent members of our Board of Directors. However, there can be no assurance that such

 

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measures will be effective, that we will be able to resolve all conflicts with Altisource, Ocwen, and HLSS or that the resolution of any such conflicts will be no less favorable to us than if we were dealing with third parties.

 

Our directors have the right to engage or invest in the same or similar businesses as ours.

 

Certain of our directors have other investments and business activities in addition to their interest in Residential. Under the provisions of our Charter and by-laws, our directors have no duty to abstain from exercising the right to engage or invest in the same or similar businesses as ours or employ or otherwise engage any of our directors.  If any of our directors who are also directors, officers or employees of Altisource, Ocwen, AAMC, HLSS, or any other company acquires knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity outside of his capacity as one of our directors, then our by-laws provide that such a director will be permitted to pursue that corporate opportunity independently of us, so long as the director has acted in good faith.  Our by-laws provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such a director will deemed to have satisfied his fiduciary duties to us and will not liable to us for pursuing such a corporate opportunity independently of us.  This may create actual or potential conflicts of interest between us and certain of our directors and result in less than favorable treatment of us and our shareholders. As of this date, none of our directors is directly involved as a director, officer or employee of a business that competes with us, but there can be no assurance that will remain unchanged in the future.

 

RISKS RELATING TO OUR QUALIFICATION AS A REIT

 

Failure to qualify as a REIT would have significant adverse consequences to us.

 

We intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In connection with the Separation, our legal counsel will render an opinion stating that we will be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and that our proposed method of operations will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. Our qualification as a REIT will depend upon our ability to meet, on an ongoing basis, requirements regarding our organization and ownership, distributions of our income, the nature and diversification of our income and assets and other tests imposed by the Code. We may fail to satisfy the REIT requirements in the future. If the IRS determines that we do not qualify as a REIT or if we qualify as a REIT and subsequently lose our REIT status, we will be subject to serious tax consequences that would cause a significant reduction in our cash available for distribution for each of the years involved.

 

Compliance with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities, which may hinder or delay our ability to meet our investment objectives and reduce your overall return.

 

To qualify as a REIT, we are required at all times to satisfy certain tests relating to, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the ownership of our stock and amounts we distribute to our shareholders. Compliance with the REIT requirements may impair our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits. For example, we may be required to pay distributions to shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution.

 

Compliance with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

 

To qualify as a REIT, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of our assets must consist of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investments in securities (other than qualified real estate assets and government securities) generally cannot include more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. Additionally, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our assets may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. In order to satisfy these requirements, we may be forced to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

 

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The IRS may deem the gains from sales of our properties to be subject to a 100% prohibited transaction tax.

 

From time to time, we may be forced to sell assets to satisfy our REIT distribution requirements, to satisfy other REIT requirements or for other purposes. The IRS may deem one or more sales of our properties to be “prohibited transactions.” If the IRS takes the position that we have engaged in a “prohibited transaction” ( i.e. , we sell a property held by us primarily for sale in the ordinary course of our trade or business), the gain we recognize from such sale would be subject to a 100% tax. The Code sets forth a safe harbor for REITs that wish to sell property without risking the imposition of the 100% tax; however, there is no assurance that we will be able to qualify for the safe harbor. We do not intend to hold property for sale in the ordinary course of business; however, there is no assurance that our position will not be challenged by the IRS, especially if we make frequent sales or sales of property in which we have short holding periods.

 

In the future, we could be required to sell assets, borrow funds, make a portion of our distributions in the form of a taxable stock distribution or issue debt securities to fund our distributions.

 

Our Board of Directors has the sole discretion to determine the timing, form and amount of any distributions to our shareholders, and the amount of such distributions may be limited. In the future, we could be required to sell assets, borrow funds or make a portion of our distributions in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities. To the extent that we are required to sell assets in adverse market conditions or borrow funds at unfavorable rates, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Our Board of Directors will make determinations regarding distributions based upon various factors, including our earnings, our financial condition, our liquidity, our debt and preferred stock covenants, maintenance of our REIT qualification, applicable provisions of the MGCL and other factors, as our Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time.

 

We may be subject to tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow and our ability to pay distributions to you even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

 

We may be subject to federal and state taxes on our income or property even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, including:

 

·             In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends-paid deduction or net capital gain) to our shareholders. If we satisfy the distribution requirement but distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, we will be subject to corporate income tax on the undistributed income;

·             We will be required to pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which the distributions we make to our shareholders in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from previous years;

·             If we have net income from the sale of foreclosure property (defined below) that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or other non-qualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be required to pay a tax on that income at the highest corporate income tax rate and

·             Any gain we recognize on the sale of a property, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, would be subject to the 100% “prohibited transaction” tax.

 

Generally, ordinary dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates.

 

The maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for “qualifying dividends” payable by U.S. corporations to individual U.S. shareholders is 15% through 2012. However, ordinary dividends payable by REITs are generally not eligible for the reduced rates and generally are taxed at ordinary income rates (the maximum individual rate being 35% through 2012).

 

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The limits on the percentage of shares of our common stock that any person may own may discourage a takeover or business combination that could otherwise benefit our shareholders.

 

Our Charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our Board of Directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Unless exempted by our Board of Directors (as we anticipate will be the case for William C. Erbey), no person may own more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding capital stock or more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock. A person that did not acquire more than 9.8% of our shares may become subject to our Charter restrictions if repurchases by us cause such person’s holdings to exceed 9.8% of our outstanding shares. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our common stock in excess of the ownership limit without the consent of our Board of Directors will be void, or will result in those shares being transferred to a charitable trust, and the person who acquired such excess shares will not be entitled to any distributions thereon or to vote those excess shares. Our 9.8% ownership limitation may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for our shareholders.

 

We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes.

 

At any time, the federal income tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. We cannot predict when or if any new federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective and any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. We and our shareholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, federal income tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This information statement contains forward-looking statements that relate to, among other things, our future financial and operating results. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negative of these terms, and other comparable terminology.  Any forward-looking statements contained in this information statement are based on current plan estimates and expectations, since we have no historical performance.  The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be enacted.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in “Risk Factors,” “The Separation,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the following:

 

·                   our ability to retain the Services of AAMC;

·                   value of strategic relationships;

·                   general economic and market conditions;

·                   governmental regulations, taxes and policies;

·                   risks inherent in spin-offs, including those related to the capital resources required to protect against business risks, legal risks and risks associated with the tax and accounting treatment of spin-off transactions;

·                   risks associated with operating as an independent, stand-alone public company and loss of certain benefits associated with being owned as part of a larger company;

·                   availability of adequate and timely sources of capital needed to finance our business;

·                   risks associated with our business, AAMC’s business, Altisource’s business and Ocwen’s business;

·                   delayed, partial-realization or non-realization of the expected benefits of the Spin-Off;

·                   absence of a trading market for our common stock;

·                   the competitive nature of the real estate marketplace;

·                   AAMC’s loss of key management and personnel;

·       our investment in NewSource;

·       our status as an emerging growth company;

·       whether we are deemed an investment company and

·                   risks associated with various conflicts of interest.

 

Further information on the risks specific to our business are detailed within this information statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.

 

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THE SEPARATION

 

Introduction

 

On April 26, 2012, Altisource announced its intention to spin-off a development stage single-family rental asset business into a stand-alone public company for the reasons discussed below. After considering many factors, management and the Board of Directors of Altisource concluded that the most effective way to maximize the success and operational efficiencies of both companies was to spin off Residential as a separate public company.

 

On October 1, 2012, Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC assigned the ownership of Altisource Residential GP, LLC, the general partner of Altisource Residential, L.P. (the “Partnership”), to us.  Prior to the Separation, Altisource will contribute the limited partner interests in the Partnership to us.  Additionally, in connection with the Separation, Altisource intends to contribute an additional $99.5 million of cash and a nominal amount of other assets to us to provide what Altisource management believes to be sufficient capital for us to begin to execute on our strategy and operate separately.

 

Subsequent to final approval by the Altisource Board of Directors, Altisource will distribute its ownership interest in Residential to its existing shareholders as of the Record Date.  Altisource’s shareholders will receive 1 share of Residential common stock for every 3 shares of Altisource common stock they hold on the Record Date, as described below.  We expect the Distribution to be effected on or about [   ], 2012 to Altisource shareholders as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on [   ], 2012, the Record Date.  Altisource shareholders will not be required to pay any cash or other consideration or to surrender or exchange their shares of Altisource common stock to receive shares of Residential common stock.

 

Concurrently with the Separation of Residential, Altisource is also pursuing a separation of AAMC pursuant to a similar spin-off transaction to be completed on or about the same date as ours.  AAMC, a corporation organized under the laws of the United States Virgin Islands, will provide the Services. We will enter into the AAMC Asset Management Agreement pursuant to which AAMC will provide the Services to us in exchange for incentive fees and the reimbursement of certain overhead and operating expenses.

 

Additionally, we intend to invest in 100% of the non-voting preferred stock of NewSource. AAMC intends to simultaneously invest in the voting common stock of NewSource. Residential and AAMC will be the only owners of NewSource. NewSource will retain Altisource under a long-term Title Insurance Services Agreement to provide a wide range of technical underwriting services that are intended to allow NewSource to evaluate title risk in a timely and cost effective manner. Altisource will receive a performance fee equal to 90% of NewSource’s annual net income (the “Performance Fee”) after NewSource pays Residential a preferred dividend of 12% (which is an annual cumulative rate). The 12% preferred dividends to Residential will accrue on an annual basis.  Dividends will actually be paid when declared by the board of directors of NewSource in accordance with Bermuda law.

 

Business Reasons for the Separation

 

The Company plans to be engaged in a capital intensive business, inconsistent with the business strategy of Altisource.  While we intend to generate revenues by acquiring and owning single-family rental assets at an attractive cost by purchasing sub-performing and non-performing loan portfolios and renting out such single family REO properties, Altisource does not engage in the business of purchasing or renting single family REO properties.  Altisource is a provider of services focused on high value, technology-enabled, knowledge-based functions principally related to real estate and mortgage portfolio management, asset recovery and customer relationship management.

 

Altisource’s Board of Directors determined that separating Residential’s contemplated business from the existing Altisource business is in the best interests of Altisource shareholders.   In arriving at its decision, the Board of Directors considered, among other factors, the different business models and that t he Separation will allow Altisource and Residential to focus on their core businesses and be better positioned to respond to initiatives and market challenges.

 

The Number of Shares of Residential Common Stock that Shareholders of Altisource Will Receive

 

The Separation will be made on the basis of a separation ratio of 1 share of our common stock for every 3 shares of Altisource common stock. As such, for every 3 shares of Altisource common stock that you own as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on [   ], 2012, the Record Date, you will receive 1 share of our common stock on the Separation Date.  Based on the number of shares of Altisource common stock outstanding on the Record Date and the Separation Ratio, approximately 7,787,700 shares of Residential common stock will be distributed to Altisource

 

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shareholders. As a result of the Separation, 100% of the outstanding shares of Residential common stock will be distributed to Altisource shareholders on a pro rata basis.

 

When and How You Will Receive Your Shares of Residential Common Stock

 

Altisource will use a book entry system to distribute shares of our common stock.  No physical stock certificates will be issued to evidence ownership of our common stock.  Following the Separation, each record holder of Altisource common stock on the Record Date will receive from the transfer agent a statement of the number of shares of our common stock credited to his or her account.  If you were not a record holder of Altisource common stock on the Record Date because your shares are held on your behalf by your broker or other nominee, your shares of our common stock should be credited to your broker or other nominee on or about [   ], 2012.

 

No action is required by you in order to receive shares of Residential common stock in the Separation, and you do not have to surrender or exchange your shares of Altisource common stock or pay cash or any other consideration to receive your shares of our common stock.  The number of shares of Altisource common stock that you currently own will not change as a result of the Separation.

 

We anticipate that on or about [   ], 2012, Altisource will deliver to our transfer agent all of the common stock of Residential to be distributed. On that day, the transfer agent will credit the accounts of registered holders of Altisource common stock entitled to the Distribution. For those Altisource shareholders who hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, the transfer agent will credit shares of our common stock to the accounts of those nominees who are registered shareholders, and they in turn will credit their customers’ accounts with shares of our common stock. We anticipate that brokers, banks and other nominees will generally credit their customers’ accounts with shares of our common stock on the same day that their accounts are credited, which is expected to be the Separation Date.

 

Restricted Shares

 

Some individuals hold shares of Altisource common stock that is subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer.  These shares generally were granted under the Altisource 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and vest over a period of time.  Any Residential shares issued in the Separation in respect of restricted shares of Altisource common stock will be subject to the same restrictions as the Altisource shares and will vest at the same time that the Altisource shares vest.

 

Treatment of Fractional Shares

 

The transfer agent will not deliver any fractional shares of Residential common stock in connection with the delivery of Residential common stock pursuant to the Separation. Instead, the transfer agent will aggregate all fractional shares and sell them on behalf of those shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares. These sales will occur as soon as practicable after the Separation Date. Those shareholders will then receive a cash payment, in the form of a check, in an amount equal to their pro rata share of the total proceeds of those sales. Any applicable expenses, including brokerage fees, will be paid by us.

 

We expect that all fractional shares held in street name will be aggregated and sold by brokers or other nominees according to their standard procedures, and that brokers or other nominees may request the transfer agent to sell the fractional shares on their behalf. You should contact your broker or other nominee for additional details.  Neither Altisource, Residential nor our transfer agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for fractional shares or pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares will generally be taxable to the recipient shareholder. See “The Separation—Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation.”

 

Listing and Trading of the Shares of Residential Common Stock

 

The following information may be helpful in discussions with your broker or other nominee. Residential has been approved to list its common stock on the NYSE. You should consult and discuss with your own financial advisors, such as your broker or tax advisor, the retention, sale or purchase of, or other transactions involving shares of, Altisource common stock or Residential common stock. Altisource and Residential do not make recommendations on the retention, sale or purchase of, or other transactions involving shares of Altisource common stock or our common stock. If you do decide to sell any shares of common stock, you should make sure your broker or other nominee understands whether you want to sell your shares of Altisource common stock, Residential common stock or both.

 

“When-issued” trading of our common stock is expected to begin on or about [   ], 2012. In the context of a spin-off, when-issued trading refers to securities transactions made on or before the Separation Date and made conditionally because the securities of the distributed entity have not yet been distributed. When-issued trades generally settle

 

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within three trading days after the Separation Date. On the first trading day following the Separation Date, all when-issued trading, if any, will end, and “regular-way” trading in our common stock will begin. Regular-way trading refers to trading after the security has been distributed and typically involves a trade that settles on the third full trading day following the date of the transaction. If the Separation does not occur, all when-issued trading will be null and void.

 

On or about [   ], 2012, Altisource common stock will begin to trade in two markets on the NASDAQ Global Select Market: a “regular way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Between the Record Date and consummation of the Separation, shares of Altisource common stock that are sold in the regular way market will include an entitlement to receive shares of Residential common stock distributable in the Separation. Conversely, shares sold in the ex-distribution market will not include an entitlement to receive shares of Residential common stock distributable in the Separation, as the entitlement will remain with the original shareholder. Therefore, if you own shares of Altisource common stock on the Record Date and thereafter sell those shares in the regular-way market on or prior to the Separation Date, you will also be selling the shares of Residential common stock that would have been distributed to you with respect to the shares of Altisource common stock you sell. If you own shares of Altisource common stock on the Record Date and thereafter sell those shares in the ex-distribution market on or prior to the Separation Date, you will still receive shares of Residential common stock in the Separation. On the first trading day following the Separation Date, all shares of Altisource common stock will trade without any entitlement to receive shares of Residential common stock.

 

Shares of Residential common stock distributed to Altisource shareholders will be freely transferable except for common stock that is distributed to persons who are “affiliates” as defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Individuals or entities may be deemed to be affiliates of Residential if they control, are controlled by, or are under common control with, Residential . Such persons may include certain of our directors and significant shareholders. In addition, individuals who are affiliates of Altisource on the Separation Date may be deemed to be affiliates of Residential . Persons who are affiliates of Residential will be permitted to sell their shares of our common stock only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In general, under Rule 144, an affiliate who receives shares of Residential common stock in the Separation may, after a holding period of six months, sell, within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

·                   one percent (1%) of the then-outstanding shares of our common stock or

·                   the average weekly trading volume of shares of our common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which the notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

 

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to provisions relating to notice, manner of sale and the availability of current public information about us.

 

There can be no assurance as to whether our common stock will be actively traded or as to the prices at which our common stock will trade. Until shares of our common stock are fully distributed and an orderly regular-way market develops, the prices at which shares of our common stock trade may fluctuate significantly and may be lower than the price that may be expected for a fully distributed issue. The price of shares of our common stock in the marketplace will be influenced by many factors. For a detailed discussion of these and other risks, please refer to “Risk Factors.”

 

Following the Separation, Altisource common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ASPS.” As a result of the Separation, the trading price of Altisource common stock immediately following the Separation may be lower than the trading price of Altisource common stock immediately prior to the Separation. Further, the combined trading prices of Altisource common stock, AAMC and our common stock after the Separation may be less than the trading price of Altisource common stock immediately prior to the Separation.

 

Although Altisource is currently a publicly-traded company, there can be no assurance as to the prices at which the Altisource common stock will trade following the Separation. The nature of the trading market and prices for Altisource common stock after the Separation will be influenced by many factors.  Altisource shareholders and potential investors may consider, among other things, that Altisource has contributed cash to Residential and AAMC

 

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and distributed all of the ownership in these newly created entities to its shareholders.  AAMC and Residential will pursue business opportunities separately from Altisource following the Separation.  As a result, these factors and others may delay or hinder the return to an orderly trading market in the Altisource common stock following the Separation. For a detailed discussion of these and other risks, please refer to “Risk Factors.”

 

Treatment of Outstanding Altisource Stock Options Held by Our Directors

 

Altisource stock options currently outstanding under Altisource’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and other equity incentive plans will be adjusted. The exercise price will be reduced to reflect the value of the shares of Residential common stock distributed to Altisource shareholders, and holders of outstanding Altisource options will be granted an option, to purchase shares of Residential common stock reflecting the shares of Altisource common stock subject to the Altisource options.   The new options to purchase Residential common stock will be issued under two stock option plans that we expect our Board of Directors to approve before the Separation, the Conversion Option Plan and the Special Conversion Option Plan. These plans will be solely for the purpose of issuing options to holders of Altisource stock options in connection with the Separation.

 

Interests of certain Altisource Officers and Directors in the Separation

 

To the extent that officers and directors of Altisource hold shares of Altisource common stock, they will receive shares of our common stock in the Separation on the same terms as other Altisource shareholders.

 

William C. Erbey is the Chairman of each of the Board of Directors of Altisource, Residential and AAMC.  He currently owns 27.71% of Altisource and will own the same percentage of each company as he holds of Altisource immediately following the Separation.  See “Risk Factors,” “Relationship between Altisource and Us Following the Separation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 

THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY, AND IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR SHAREHOLDER.

 

ALTISOURCE SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SEPARATION TO THEM IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation

 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Separation. This summary is based on the U.S. Treasury Regulations, the Code, regulations promulgated under the Code and judicial and administrative interpretations of the U.S. Treasury Regulations and the Code.  This summary is based on the rules, regulations and interpretations in effect on the date of this summary and is subject to change (possibly on a retroactive basis).

 

This summary does not address tax consequences for any shareholder other than a U.S. shareholder. A U.S. shareholder, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is defined as a beneficial owner of Altisource common stock that is one of the following:

 

·                   an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the U.S.;

·                   a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

·                   an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or

·                   a trust, if (i) a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

Further, this summary does not discuss all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to U.S. shareholders in light of their particular circumstances and does not address the tax consequences applicable to certain persons subject to special provisions of the U.S. federal income tax law including:

 

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·                   insurance companies;

·                   dealers in securities or currencies;

·                   traders in securities that have elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for securities;

·                   tax-exempt organizations;

·                   financial institutions;

·                   regulated investment companies (“RIC”) and REITs;

·                   qualified retirement plans;

·                   partnerships, other entities classified as partnerships, or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and investors in these entities;

·                   shareholders who hold shares as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle;

·                   shareholders who hold their shares as a synthetic security, integrated investment or other risk-reduction transaction;

·                   shareholders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax;

·                   shareholders who acquired their shares upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;

·                   a controlled foreign corporation;

·                   a passive foreign investment company;

·                   a foreign government or related entity or

·                   shareholders whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.

 

In addition, this summary is limited to shareholders that hold their shares of Altisource common stock as a capital asset. Finally, this summary does not address any estate, gift or other non-income tax consequences or any state, local or foreign tax consequences.

 

The Distribution is a taxable distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Shareholders who receive shares of Residential common stock with respect to their shares of Altisource common stock will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of the shares of Residential common stock received.  This amount will be treated as a dividend to the extent of Altisource’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, calculated pursuant to U.S. federal tax law.  To the extent this amount is in excess of the recipient’s ratable portion of Altisource’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated as a return of capital (to the extent of the recipient’s tax basis in such Altisource shares) and then as a capital gain.

 

State, Local and Other Tax Considerations

 

We and our shareholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. The state, local or foreign tax treatment of us and our shareholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes incurred by us would not pass through to shareholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our common stock.

 

Certain U.S. Federal Withholding Tax Consequences of the Separation

 

The Distribution of the common stock of Residential by Altisource to its shareholders will be made in a manner such that no U.S. federal withholding tax will be due.

 

Certain Luxembourg Tax Consequences of the Separation

 

The following is a summary of the material Luxembourg income tax consequences of the Separation. This summary is based on the laws of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, including the Income Tax Act of December 4, 1967, as amended, and the Municipal Business Tax Act of December 1, 1936, as amended, to which we jointly refer as the “Luxembourg tax law,” existing and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder, and published judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements, each as in effect on the date of this information statement or with a known future effective date.

 

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This discussion does not generally address any aspects of Luxembourg taxation other than income tax, corporate income tax, municipal business tax and withholding tax. This discussion is not a complete analysis or listing of all of the possible tax consequences of the Distribution and does not address all tax considerations that may be relevant to you. Special rules that are not discussed in the general descriptions below may also apply to you.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “Luxembourg shareholder” is any beneficial owner of Altisource shares that for Luxembourg income tax purposes is:

 

·                   an individual resident of Luxembourg under article 2 of the Luxembourg Income Tax Act, as amended, or

·                   a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation that is organized under the laws of Luxembourg under article 159 of the Luxembourg Income Tax Act, as amended.

 

A “non-Luxembourg shareholder” is any beneficial owner of Altisource common stock that is not a Luxembourg shareholder. For purposes of this summary, “holder” means either a Luxembourg shareholder or a non-Luxembourg shareholder or both, as the context may require.

 

A non-Luxembourg shareholder will not be subject to Luxembourg income taxes on the Distribution received from Altisource unless the shares of common stock are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business maintained in Luxembourg by such non-Luxembourg shareholder.

 

A Luxembourg shareholder, who is a resident individual, will be subject to Luxembourg income taxes on dividend income and similar distributions in respect of shares in Altisource. Luxembourg income tax will be levied on 50% of the gross amount of the Distribution, under certain conditions, at progressive rates.

 

A Luxembourg shareholder that is a resident corporation may benefit from the Luxembourg participation exemption with respect to the receipt of the Distribution if certain conditions are met. If the conditions with respect to the Luxembourg participation exemption are not met, the aforementioned 50% tax may also apply to the receipt of the Distribution by a Luxembourg resident corporation.

 

The Distribution of the common stock of Residential by Altisource to its shareholders will be made in a manner that no Luxembourg withholding tax will be due.

 

As Altisource is a Luxembourg société anonyme, Altisource will be subject to tax by the Luxembourg taxing authority to the extent the value of the Residential common stock exceeds the book value of Residential.  The excess will be included in Altisource’s tax base and would be subject to 28.8% Luxembourg corporate income and municipal business tax. Because Residential is a development stage company, it is not expected that the value of the shares of Residential common stock received by Altisource shareholders will be significantly higher than book value. Therefore, any Luxembourg income tax liability arising at the level of Altisource as a result of the Separation is not expected to be material.

 

This summary is based on the laws and regulations in effect in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

 

SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE OWNERSHIP, ACQUISITION, PURCHASE AND SALE OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND OF OUR ELECTION TO BE TAXED AS A REIT, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH OWNERSHIP, ACQUISITION, PURCHASE, SALE AND ELECTION.

 

Certain Ongoing U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters Subsequent to the Separation

 

Taxation of Residential in General

 

We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. We believe that we will be organized and operated in a manner that will allow us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

 

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The law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP (“Kramer Levin”) has acted as our counsel in connection with the Separation. We will receive the opinion of Kramer Levin to the effect that, commencing with the Separation, and subject to acquiring assets that will enable us to satisfy the asset and income tests for qualification as a REIT that are described below, we will be organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and our proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Kramer Levin will be based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, including that all factual representations and statements set forth in all relevant documents, records and instruments are true and correct, all actions described in this information statement are completed in a timely fashion and that we will at all times operate in accordance with the method of operation described in our organizational documents and this information statement. Additionally, the opinion of Kramer Levin will be conditioned upon factual representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, the future conduct of our business operations and other items regarding our ability to meet the various requirements for qualification as a REIT, and assumes that such representations and covenants are accurate and complete and that they and we will take no action inconsistent with our qualification as a REIT. In addition, to the extent we make certain investments, such as investments in mortgage loan securitizations, the accuracy of such opinion will also depend on the accuracy of certain opinions rendered to us in connection with such transactions. While we believe that we will be organized and operated so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances or applicable law, no assurance can be given by Kramer Levin or us that we will so qualify for any particular year. Kramer Levin will have no obligation to advise us or our shareholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.

 

Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual results of operations, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code, the compliance with which will not be reviewed by Kramer Levin. In addition, our ability to qualify as a REIT may depend in part upon the operating results, organizational structure and entity classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of certain companies in which we invest. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset and income tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets directly or indirectly owned by us. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. We do not currently own assets, or earn income, that enable us to satisfy these requirements. We intend to acquire such assets and elect to be taxed as a REIT following the acquisition of such assets. If we do not acquire assets that will allow us to satisfy the REIT asset and income tests, we will be taxable as a corporation.

 

Requirements for Qualification as a REIT

 

The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

 

(1)               that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

(2)               the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

(3)               that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the special Code provisions applicable to REITs;

(4)               that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;

(5)               the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

(6)               in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include specified entities);

(7)               that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable year that has not been terminated or revoked;

 

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(8)               that uses a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

(9)               that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year at the close of any taxable year; and

(10)        which meets other tests, and satisfies all of the relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the IRS that must be met to elect and maintain REIT qualification described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions.

 

The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year; and that conditions (5) and (6) do not need to be satisfied for the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT has been made. Conditions (7), (9) and (10) must be met as of or for the periods identified in conditions (7), (9) and (10) above.  Our Charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of shares of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. For purposes of condition (6), an “individual” generally includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes, but does not include a qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.

 

To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of shares of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of shares of our stock in which the record holders are to disclose the actual owners of the shares ( i.e. , the persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid by us). A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand must be maintained as part of our records. Failure by us to comply with these record-keeping requirements could subject us to monetary penalties. If we satisfy these requirements and after exercising reasonable diligence would not have known that condition (6) is not satisfied, we will be deemed to have satisfied such condition. A shareholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and other information.

 

For purposes of condition (8), we have adopted December 31 as our year end, and thereby satisfy this requirement.

 

Taxation of REITs in General

 

As indicated above, qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized in the preceding section, under “Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification as a REIT or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “Failure to Qualify.”

 

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, we will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and, therefore, will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is currently distributed to our shareholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and shareholder levels which results generally from investment in a corporation. Rather, income generated by a REIT generally is taxed only at the shareholder level upon a distribution of dividends by the REIT.

 

For tax years through 2012, shareholders who are individual U.S. shareholders (as defined below) are generally taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum rate of 15% (the same as long-term capital gains), thereby substantially reducing, though not completely eliminating, the double taxation that has historically applied to corporate dividends. With limited exceptions, however, dividends received by individual U.S. shareholders from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income which will be as high as 35% through 2012 (excluding the impact of any state or local taxes the shareholder may incur). Net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes of a REIT generally do not pass through to the shareholders of the REIT,

 

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subject to special rules for certain items, such as capital gains, recognized by REITs. See “Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders.”

 

Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as follows:

 

·

We will be taxed at regular U.S. federal corporate rates on any undistributed income, including undistributed net capital gains;

·

We may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference, if any;

·

If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “Prohibited Transactions”;

·

If we elect to treat property that we obtain from the foreclosure of a mortgage loan or from certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%) thereby avoiding (a) the 100% tax on gain from a sale of property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction) and (b) the inclusion of any income from such property not qualifying for purposes of the REIT gross income tests discussed below;

·

If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (a) the greater of (1) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (2) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test, as the case may be, multiplied by (b) a profitability margin;

·

If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described below, other than a failure of the 5% or 10% REIT asset test that does not exceed a statutory de minimis amount as described more fully below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests;

·

If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a gross income or asset test requirement) and the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification, but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure;

·

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, referred to as the “required distribution”, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (1) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior years), plus (2) retained amounts on which income tax is paid at the corporate level;

·

While we do not anticipate engaging in material transactions with our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”), a 100% excise tax may be imposed on some items of income and expense that are directly or constructively paid between us and any TRS we may own if and to the extent that the IRS successfully asserts that such items were not the result of arm’s-length transactions;

·

If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the non-REIT corporation, we will be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the 10-year period following their acquisition from the non-REIT corporation. The results described in this paragraph assume that the non-REIT corporation will not elect, in lieu of this treatment, to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us;

·

We may elect to retain and pay U.S. federal income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a shareholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the shareholder) in its income, would be deemed to have paid the tax that we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit for its proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, and an adjustment would be made

 

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to increase the shareholder’s basis in our common stock. Shareholders that are U.S. corporations will also appropriately adjust their earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be promulgated and

·

We may have subsidiaries or own interests in other lower-tier entities that are subchapter C corporations, the earnings of which could be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

 

In addition, we may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including state, local, and foreign income, franchise property and other taxes. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

 

Gross Income Tests

 

In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we annually must satisfy two gross income tests. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions” and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including rents from real property, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage backed securities), and gains from the sale of real estate assets, including gains on repayments of sub-performing and non-performing mortgage loans, as well as income from certain kinds of temporary investments. Income we earn, if any, upon a modification of a mortgage loan will also be treated as relating to real property mortgages, and will satisfy the 75% gross income test. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. We intend to monitor the amount of our non-qualifying income and manage our portfolio of assets to comply with the gross income tests, but we cannot assure you that we will be successful in this effort.

 

For purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, a REIT is deemed to have earned a proportionate share of the income earned by any partnership, or any limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which it owns an interest, which share is determined by reference to its capital interest in such entity, and is deemed to have earned the income earned by any qualified REIT subsidiary.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by a mortgage on real property.  We expect that all or most of the mortgage loans that we acquire will be secured only by real property.  However, if we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other property.  Interest income apportioned to the real property will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.  Interest income apportioned to the other property or interest from loans that are not secured by real property or are unsecured do not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, but may qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.

 

Interest income from loans acquired at a discount is determined for purposes of the gross income tests based on the constant yield to maturity of the debt instrument and is taxable interest income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal of the debt instrument is made.

 

To the extent that we derive interest income from a loan where all or a portion of the amount of interest payable is contingent, such income generally will qualify for purposes of the gross income tests only if it is based upon the gross receipts or sales and not the net income or profits of any person. This limitation does not apply, however, to a mortgage loan where the borrower derives substantially all of its income from the property from the leasing of substantially all of its interest in the property to tenants, to the extent that the rental income derived by the borrower would qualify as rents from real property had it been earned directly by us.

 

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To the extent that the terms of a loan provide for contingent interest that is based on the cash proceeds realized upon the sale of the property securing the loan (or a shared appreciation provision), income attributable to the participation feature will be treated as gain from sale of the underlying property, which generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that the property is not inventory or dealer property in the hands of the borrower or us.

 

Dividend Income

 

We may receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions are generally classified as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. Any dividends received by us from a REIT will be qualifying income in our hands for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

 

Rents from Real Property

 

Rents that we receive from our ownership of real property will not automatically qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the 75% and 95% gross income tests. For example, if rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under any particular lease, then all of the rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. The determination of whether an item of personal property constitutes real or personal property under the REIT provisions of the Code is subject to both legal and factual considerations and is therefore subject to different interpretations. We intend to structure any leases so that the rent payable thereunder will qualify as “rents from real property,” but there can be no assurance we will be successful in this regard.

 

Similarly, for rents received to qualify as rents from real property, we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render certain services to the tenants of such property, other than through a TRS, or an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from which we derive no income. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of residential units. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide non-customary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the greater of 150% of our direct cost in furnishing or rendering the services or the payment for such services does not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the property. In such a case, only the amounts for non-customary services are not treated as rents from real property and the provision of the services does not disqualify the related rent. We believe Altisource qualifies as an independent contractor.  Altisource, through the Altisource Master Services Agreement will provide all required services to our tenants.

 

Fee Income

 

We may receive various fees in connection with our operations. The fees generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests if they are received directly in connection with our real estate investment activities (such as fees for certain real estate related services or fees for modifying loans related to real property) and (i) are not determined by income or profits of a tenant, and (ii) are not for prohibited services provided to our tenants.  Other fees are not qualifying income for purposes of either the 75% or 95% gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS are not included for purposes of the gross income tests.

 

Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests

 

We intend to monitor our sources of income, including any non-qualifying income received by us, and manage our assets so as to ensure our compliance with the gross income tests. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to satisfy the gross income tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if the failure of our company to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and, following the identification of such failure, we set forth a description of each item of our gross income that satisfies the gross income tests in a schedule for the taxable year filed in accordance with Treasury Regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of

 

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circumstances involving our failure to satisfy the gross income tests, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed upon the profit attributable to the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test, which could be a significant amount.

 

Asset Tests

 

At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of real estate assets, cash, cash items, U.S. government securities and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property and certain kinds of mortgage backed securities and mortgage loans.  Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.  Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.  Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value.  Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs held by us may not exceed 25% of the value of our total assets.

 

The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries. The 10% value test does not apply to certain straight debt and other excluded securities, as described in the Code, including but not limited to any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, (a) a REIT’s interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security for purposes of applying the 10% value test; (b) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test and (c) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership.

 

For purposes of the 10% value test, “straight debt” means a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a sum certain in money if (i) the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, (ii) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrower’s discretion, or similar factors other than certain contingencies relating to the timing and amount of principal and interest payments, as described in the Code and (iii) in the case of an issuer which is a corporation or a partnership, securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will not be so considered if we, and any of our “controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries” as defined in the Code, hold any securities of the corporate or partnership issuer which (a) are not straight debt or other excluded securities (prior to the application of this rule) and (b) have an aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities (including, for the purposes of a partnership issuer, our interest as a partner in the partnership).

 

We expect that the assets comprising our single-family rental assets, mortgage-related investments and any securities that we own generally will be qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test, and that our holdings of TRSs and other assets will be structured in a manner that will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements.  We intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in this effort. In this regard, to determine compliance with these requirements, we will need to estimate the value of our assets. We do not expect to obtain independent appraisals to support our conclusions as to the total value of our assets or the value of any particular security or other asset. Moreover, values of some assets, including our interests in our TRSs, may not be susceptible to a precise determination and are subject to change in the future. Although we will be prudent in making these estimates, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with these determinations and assert that a different value is applicable, in which case we might not satisfy the REIT asset tests, and could fail to qualify as a REIT.

 

A mortgage loan that we own will generally be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test if, on the date that we acquire or originate the mortgage loan, the value of the real property securing the loan is equal or greater to the principal amount of the loan. In the event that we invest in a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, Revenue Procedure 2011-16 may apply to determine what portion of the mortgage loan will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. The interest apportionment rules apply if the mortgage loan in question is secured by both real property and other property. We expect that all or most of the

 

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mortgage loans that we acquire will be secured only by real property and no other property value will be taken into account in our underwriting process. Pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2011-16, the IRS has announced that it will not challenge a REIT’s treatment of a loan as a real estate asset in its entirety to the extent that the value of the loan is equal to or less than the value of the real property securing the loan at the relevant testing date. However, uncertainties exist regarding the application of Revenue Procedure 2011-16, particularly with respect to the proper treatment under the asset tests of mortgage loans acquired at a discount that increase in value following their acquisition, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not challenge our treatment of such assets. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances which could affect the application of the REIT asset tests. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

 

Failure to Satisfy the Asset Tests

 

After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our qualification as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests because we acquire or increase our ownership interest in securities during a quarter, we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. If we fail the 5% asset test or the 10% vote or value asset tests at the end of any quarter and such failure is not cured within 30 days thereafter, we may dispose of sufficient assets (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy these asset tests occurred) to cure such a violation that does not exceed the lesser of 1% of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. If we fail any of the other asset tests or our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests is in excess of the de minimis amount described above, as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we are permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps including the disposition of sufficient assets to meet the asset test (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT asset test occurred) and paying a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate (currently 35%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset test.

 

Annual Distribution Requirements

 

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our shareholders in an amount at least equal to:

 

(a)               the sum of:

 

·         90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without regard to our deduction for dividends paid and our net capital gains) and

·         90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property; minus

 

(b)               the sum of specified items of non-cash income that exceeds a percentage of our income.

 

These distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate or in the following taxable year if such distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, are payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in any such month and are actually paid before the end of January of the following year. Such distributions are treated as both paid by us and received by each shareholder on December 31 of the year in which they are declared. In addition, at our election, a distribution for a taxable year may be declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and be paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided that such payment is made during the twelve-month period following the close of such taxable year. These distributions are taxable to our shareholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.

 

In order for distributions to be counted towards our distribution requirement and to give rise to a tax deduction by us, they must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if it is pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class and is in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in the organizational documents.

 

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To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary U.S. federal corporate tax rates on the retained portion. In addition, we may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect to have our shareholders include their proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income and receive a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for their proportionate share of the tax paid by us, subject to the local tax laws of the shareholder. Our shareholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock in us by the difference between the designated amounts included in their long-term capital gains and the tax deemed paid with respect to their proportionate shares. Shareholders that are U.S. corporations would also appropriately adjust their earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in accordance with Treasury Regulations to be promulgated.

 

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior periods) and (y) the amounts of income retained on which we have paid U.S. federal corporate income tax. We intend to make timely distributions so that we are not subject to the 4% excise tax. It is possible that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (a) the actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from our subsidiaries and (b) the inclusion of items in income by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, we may acquire debt instruments or notes whose face value may exceed its issue price as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, resulting in original issue discount, such that we will be required to include in our income a portion of the original issue discount each year that the instrument is held before we receive any corresponding cash. Furthermore, we will likely invest in assets that accrue market discount, which may require us to defer a portion of the interest deduction for interest paid on debt incurred to acquire or carry such assets. In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, it might be necessary to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, to use cash reserves, to liquidate non-cash assets at rates or times we regard as unfavorable, or to pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property including taxable stock dividends. In the case of a taxable stock dividend, shareholders would be required to include the dividend as income and would be required to satisfy the tax liability associated with the distribution with cash from other sources including sales of our common stock. Both a taxable stock distribution and sale of common stock resulting from such distribution could adversely affect the price of our common stock. We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to shareholders in a later year which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing our qualification as a REIT or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

 

Differences in REIT Taxable Income and Cash Flows from Distressed Loans/Loan Modification

 

Due to the nature of the assets in which we will invest, we may recognize taxable income from those assets in advance of our receipt of cash or proceeds from disposition of such assets potentially increasing the amount of dividends that we are required to distribute.  We may be also required to report taxable income in earlier periods that ultimately exceeds the economic income realized on such assets.

 

It is expected that we may acquire debt instruments in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The discount at which such debt instruments are acquired may reflect doubts about their ultimate collectability rather than current market interest rates. The amount of such discount will nevertheless generally be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The tax basis of loans acquired at a discount is cost at the time of acquisition.  Subsequently, market discount on a debt instrument accrues on the basis of the constant yield to maturity of the debt instrument and is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal of the debt instrument is made. Payments on residential mortgage loans are ordinarily made monthly, and consequently accrued market discount may have to be included in taxable income each month as if the debt instrument were assured of ultimately being collected in full. If that turned out not to be the case, and we eventually collected less on the debt instrument than the amount we paid for it plus the market discount we had previously reported as income, there would be a bad debt deduction available to us at that time. Nevertheless, our (and our shareholders’) ability to benefit from that bad debt deduction would depend on our having taxable income in that later taxable year. REITs

 

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may not carry back net operating losses, so this possible “income early, losses later” phenomenon could adversely affect us and our shareholders if it were persistent and in significant amounts.

 

In addition, pursuant to our investment strategy, we may acquire distressed debt investments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. If the amendments to the outstanding debt are “significant modifications” under the applicable Treasury Regulations, the modified debt may be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. In that event, we may be required to recognize taxable income to the extent the principal amount of the modified debt exceeds our adjusted tax basis in the unmodified debt, and hold the modified loan with a cost basis equal to its modified principal amount for U.S. federal tax purposes.

 

Recordkeeping Requirements

 

We are required to maintain records and request, on an annual basis, information from specified shareholders. These requirements are designed to assist us in determining the actual ownership of our outstanding stock and maintaining our qualification as a REIT.

 

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

 

Ownership of Partnership Interests

 

In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the partnership’s assets and to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s gross income based on its pro rata share of capital interests in the partnership for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, the determination of a REIT’s interest in partnership assets will be based on the REIT’s proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Code. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership generally are deemed to retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of partnerships in which we own an equity interest (including equity interests in any lower-tier partnerships) is treated as assets and items of income of ours for purposes of applying the REIT requirements. Consequently, to the extent that we directly or indirectly hold a preferred or other equity interest in a partnership, the partnership’s assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control or only limited influence over the partnership.

 

Disregarded Subsidiaries

 

If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS, that is wholly owned by a REIT, by other disregarded subsidiaries of a REIT or by a combination of the two. Single member limited liability companies that are wholly owned by a REIT are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT gross income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

 

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly owned by us (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours), the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, it would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the value or voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation. See “Asset Tests” and “Gross Income Tests.”

 

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Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

 

A REIT, in general, may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation, unlike a disregarded subsidiary as discussed above, is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, such an entity would generally be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow generated by us and our subsidiaries in the aggregate and our ability to make distributions to our shareholders. We anticipate that we may make TRS elections with respect to certain entities, such as NewSource, which would allow such entities to invest in assets and engage in activities that could not be held or conducted directly by us without jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT.

 

The fair value of the TRS stock held by the REIT is utilized in the asset tests.  Dividend income received by the REIT from the TRS is utilized in the gross income tests.  Because a parent REIT does not include the gross assets and gross income of the TRS in determining the parent’s compliance with the REIT requirements, such entities may be used by the parent REIT to indirectly undertake activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude it from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (for example, inventory sales or activities that give rise to non-qualifying hedging income). If dividends are paid to us by one or more TRS that we own, then a portion of the dividends that we distribute to shareholders who are taxed at individual rates generally will be eligible through 2012 for taxation at preferential qualified dividend income tax rates rather than at ordinary income rates. See “Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders” and “Annual Distribution Requirements.”

 

Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First, if certain tests regarding the TRS’s debt-to-equity ratio are not satisfied, a TRS may not deduct interest payments made in any year to an affiliated REIT to the extent that such payments exceed, generally, 50% of the TRS’s adjusted taxable income for that year (although the TRS may carry forward to, and deduct in, a succeeding year the disallowed interest amount if the 50% test is satisfied in that year).  In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by a TRS due to transactions between a REIT, its tenants and/or the TRS, that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by a party in an arm’s-length transaction, the REIT generally will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess. We intend to scrutinize all of our transactions with any of our subsidiaries that are treated as TRSs in an effort to ensure that we will not become subject to this excise tax; however, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding this excise tax.

 

Prohibited Transactions

 

Net income we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.  The REIT is deemed to have engaged in a prohibited transaction if the sale or other disposition is carried out by the REIT, by a lower-tier partnership in which the REIT holds an equity interest or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to the REIT. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset owned by us or our pass-through subsidiaries will be held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers and that a sale of any assets owned by us directly or through a pass-through subsidiary will not be in the ordinary course of business, and therefore, we do not expect to be engaged in any prohibited transactions. However, whether property is held as inventory or “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any particular asset in which we hold a direct or indirect interest will not be treated as property held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers or that certain safe harbor provisions of the Code that prevent such treatment will apply. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular U.S. federal corporate income tax rates.

 

Penalty tax

 

Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions or excess interest we generate are subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services

 

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furnished to any of our tenants by one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s length negotiations. Rents we receive do not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.

 

We intend that, in all instances in which our taxable REIT subsidiaries will provide services to our tenants, the fees paid to our taxable REIT subsidiaries for these services will be at arm’s length rates although the fees paid may not satisfy the safe harbor provisions referenced in the preceding paragraph. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect each party’s respective incomes. If the IRS successfully makes such an assertion, we will be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an arm’s length fee for tenant services over the amount actually paid.

 

Foreclosure Property

 

Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that is acquired by a REIT as a result of having bid on the property at foreclosure or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law after there was a default (or default was imminent) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by the REIT and secured by the property, (2) for which the related loan or lease was acquired by the REIT at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) for which such REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property.

 

Failure to Qualify

 

In the event that we violate a provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, we may nevertheless continue to qualify as a REIT under specified relief provisions available to us to avoid such disqualification if (1) the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, (2) we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy a requirement for qualification as a REIT and (3) the violation does not include a violation under the gross income or asset tests described above (for which other specified relief provisions are available). This cure provision reduces the instances that could lead to our disqualification as a REIT for violations due to reasonable cause. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and none of the relief provisions of the Code apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to our shareholders in any year in which we are not a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In this situation, to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits, and, subject to limitations of the Code, distributions to our shareholders will generally be taxable in the case of our shareholders who are individual U.S. shareholders (as defined below) at a maximum rate of 15% through 2012, and dividends in the hands of our corporate U.S. shareholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under the specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following a year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be entitled to statutory relief.

 

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders

 

This section summarizes the taxation of U.S. shareholders that are not tax-exempt organizations. For these purposes, a U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of our common stock that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:

 

·                   an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

·                   a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia);

·                   an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or

·                   any trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities

 

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of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding our common stock should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our stock by the partnership.

 

Distributions

 

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. shareholders out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will generally be taken into account as ordinary dividend income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. In determining the extent to which a distribution with respect to our common stock constitutes a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, if any, and then to our common stock. Dividends received from REITs are generally not eligible to be taxed at the preferential qualified dividend income rates applicable (through 2012) to individual U.S. shareholders who receive dividends from taxable subchapter C corporations.

 

In addition, distributions from us that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxable to U.S. shareholders as long-term capital gains to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year without regard to the period for which the U.S. shareholder has held its stock. To the extent that we elect under the applicable provisions of the Code to retain our net capital gains, U.S. shareholders will be treated as having received, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains as well as a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for taxes paid by us on such retained capital gains. U.S. shareholders will increase their adjusted tax basis in our common stock by the difference between their allocable share of such retained capital gain and their share of the tax paid by us. U.S. shareholders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 15% (through 2012) in the case of U.S. shareholders who are individuals, and 35% for corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than twelve months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for U.S. shareholders who are individuals to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

 

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. shareholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. shareholder’s shares of our common stock in respect of which the distributions were made but rather will reduce the adjusted tax basis of these shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a U.S. shareholder’s shares of our common stock, they will be included in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year and payable to a U.S. shareholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S. shareholder on December 31 of such year provided that the dividend is actually paid by us before the end of January of the following calendar year.

 

With respect to U.S. shareholders who are taxed at the rates applicable to individuals, we may elect to designate a portion of our distributions paid to such U.S. shareholders as “qualified dividend income.” A portion of a distribution that is properly designated as qualified dividend income is taxable to non-corporate U.S. shareholders as capital gain, provided that the U.S. shareholder has held our common stock with respect to which the distribution is made for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such common stock became ex-dividend with respect to the relevant distribution. The maximum amount of our distributions eligible to be designated as qualified dividend income for a taxable year is equal to the sum of:

 

(a)                                  the qualified dividend income received by us during such taxable year from non-REIT C corporations (including any TRS in which we may own an interest);

(b)                                  the excess of any “undistributed” REIT taxable income recognized during the immediately preceding year over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such undistributed REIT taxable income and

(c)                                   the excess of any income recognized during the immediately preceding year attributable to the sale of a built-in-gain asset that was acquired in a carry-over basis transaction from a non-REIT C corporation over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such built-in gain.

 

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Generally, dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income for purposes of (a) above if the dividends are received from a domestic C corporation (other than a REIT or a RIC), any TRS we may form or a “qualified foreign corporation,” and specified holding period requirements and other requirements are met.

 

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that must be made in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “Taxation of Residential in General” and “Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to U.S. shareholders and do not offset income of U.S. shareholders from other sources, nor do they affect the character of any distributions that are actually made by us, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of U.S. shareholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

 

Dispositions of Our Common Stock

 

In general, a U.S. shareholder will realize gain or loss upon the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the sum of the fair market value of any property and the amount of cash received in such disposition and the U.S. shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock at the time of the disposition. In general, a U.S. shareholder’s adjusted tax basis will equal the U.S. shareholder’s acquisition cost, increased by the excess of net capital gains deemed distributed to the U.S. shareholder (discussed above) less tax deemed paid on it and reduced by returns of capital. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. shareholders upon the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15% for taxable years through 2012, if our common stock is held for more than twelve months, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 35% through 2012) if our common stock is held for twelve months or less. Gains recognized by U.S. shareholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35% whether or not classified as long-term capital gains.

 

Shareholders are advised to consult with their tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. Capital losses recognized by a U.S. shareholder upon the disposition of our common stock held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the U.S. shareholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our common stock by a U.S. shareholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions received from us that were required to be treated by the U.S. shareholder as long-term capital gain.

 

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations

 

Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. shareholder of our common stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. shareholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our common stock. Distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. A U.S. shareholder that elects to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of stock or qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amounts.

 

Medicare Tax on Unearned Income

 

Certain U.S. shareholders that are individuals, estates or trusts must pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

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Foreign Accounts

 

Dividends paid after December 31, 2013, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock paid after December 31, 2014, to “foreign financial institutions” in respect of accounts of U.S. shareholders at such financial institutions may be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%. U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this withholding provision on their ownership and disposition of our common stock. See “Foreign Accounts” below.

 

Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Shareholders

 

U.S. tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their UBTI. While many investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt U.S. shareholder has not held our common stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt shareholder) and (2) our common stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions from us and income from the sale of our common stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax exempt shareholder.

 

Tax-exempt U.S. shareholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI unless they are able to properly exclude certain amounts set aside or placed in reserve for specific purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our common stock. These prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve requirements.

 

In certain circumstances, a pension trust that (1) is described in Section 401(a) of the Code, (2) is tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code and (3) owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) either (A) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock or (B) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of such stock and (2) we would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code provides that stock owned by such trusts shall be treated, for purposes of the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding stock of a REIT is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include certain entities), as owned by the beneficiaries of such trusts. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock should generally prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock or us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

 

Tax-exempt U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of owning our stock.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership, acquisition, purchase and sale of our common stock applicable to non-U.S. shareholders of our common stock. For purposes of this summary, a non-U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a U.S. shareholder nor an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. It addresses only selective and not all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation.

 

Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal estate consequences of ownership of our common stock.

 

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Ordinary Dividends

 

The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. shareholders payable out of our earnings and profits that are not attributable to gains from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests and which are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. Under some treaties, however, lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs. In addition, any portion of the dividends paid to non-U.S. shareholders that are treated as excess inclusion income will not be eligible for exemption from the 30% withholding tax or a reduced treaty rate. In the case of a taxable stock dividend with respect to which any withholding tax is imposed on a non-U.S. shareholder, we may have to withhold or dispose of part of the shares otherwise distributable in such dividend and use such withheld shares or the proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed.

 

In general, non-U.S. shareholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our common stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. shareholders are taxed with respect to such dividends, and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on the income after the application of the income tax in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation.

 

Non-Dividend Distributions

 

Distributions by us which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless any of the following conditions are met:

 

·             our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (“USRPI”);

·             the non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. shareholder or

·             the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the U.S.

 

If our common stock constitutes a USRPI, as described in the ‘Capital Gain Dividends’ section below, distributions by us in excess of the sum of our earnings and profits plus the non-U.S. shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”) at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. shareholder of the same type ( e.g. , an individual or a corporation, as the case may be).  The collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the shareholder’s share of our earnings and profits.  We do not expect shares of our common stock to constitute USRPIs.

 

If the non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. shareholder, the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. shareholder with respect to such gain.

 

If the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the U.S., the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the shareholder’s net capital gain for the year.

 

If it cannot be determined at the time at which a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the non-U.S. shareholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

 

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Capital Gain Dividends

 

Under FIRPTA, capital gain distributions are either (1) attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs (including shared appreciation mortgage loans) held by us directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (“USRPI capital gains”) or (2) not attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs held by us directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (“Other Capital Gains”).  Other Capital Gains include gains from dispositions of assets held by us solely as a creditor.  We anticipate that a material portion of our assets will constitute USRPIs and accordingly, a portion of our distributions will be USRPI, capital gains.  The following describes the tax treatment for non-U.S. shareholders for each of these types of capital gains.

 

USRPI Capital Gains.  USRPI capital gains are considered to be effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder and are taxed as follows based on the ownership level or class of stock owned by the non-U.S. shareholder:

 

·             Greater than 5% ownership or 5% or less ownership and not regularly traded.  For non-U.S. shareholders that either (1) own more than 5% of any class of our stock at any time during the one year period ending on the date of such dividend or (2) own 5% or less of any class of our stock and that class of stock is not regularly traded on an established securities market located in the U.S., the following taxes apply:

·                   The shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. shareholders, without regard to whether the distribution is designated as a capital dividend;

·                   We will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the amount of capital gain dividends and

·                   If the non-U.S. shareholder is a corporation, the non-U.S. shareholder may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax.

·             All others.  USRPI capital gains will be treated as distributions that are not attributable to gains from sales or exchanges of USRPI subject to the rules discussed above under “Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders — Ordinary Dividends”.

 

Other Capital Gains.  Other Capital Gain dividends received by a non-U.S. shareholder from a REIT are generally not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless either:

 

·             the non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. shareholder or

·             the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S.

 

If the non-shareholder’s investment in our common stock if effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. shareholder, the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. shareholders with respect to such gain.

 

If the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 180 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the U.S., the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year.

 

Dispositions of Our Common Stock

 

Unless our common stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of the stock by a non-U.S. shareholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA. Generally, with respect to any particular shareholder, our common stock will constitute a USRPI if each of the following three statements is true:

 

 

(a)

50% or more of our assets on any of certain testing dates during a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the U.S., excluding for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as creditor;

 

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(b)

We are not a “domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically-controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of the value of which is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. shareholders at all times during a specified testing period. Although we believe that we will be a domestically-controlled REIT, because our shares are publicly traded we cannot make any assurance that we will remain a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity and

 

(c)

Either (i) our common stock is not “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market or (ii) our common stock is “regularly traded” on an established securities market and the selling non-U.S. shareholder has actually or constructively held over 5% of our outstanding common stock any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or the period such selling non-U.S. shareholder held our common stock.

 

Specific wash sales rules applicable to sales of stock in a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity could result in gain recognition, taxable under FIRPTA, upon the sale of our common stock even if we are a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity. These rules would apply if a non-U.S. shareholder (a) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been taxable to such non-U.S. shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI, and (b) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock during the 61-day period that begins 30 days prior to such ex-dividend date.

 

If gain on the sale of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. shareholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

 

Gain from the sale of our common stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the U.S. to a non-U.S. shareholder in two cases: (a) if the non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. shareholder, the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. shareholder with respect to such gain, or (b) if the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S., the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on such individual’s net capital gain.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

We will report to our U.S. shareholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Backup withholding is sometimes required and is not an additional tax.  Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. shareholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the shareholder comes within an exempt category and, when required, demonstrates this fact or provides a taxpayer identification number or social security number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. shareholder that does not provide his or her correct taxpayer identification number or social security number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distribution to any U.S. shareholder who fails to certify their non-foreign status.

 

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. shareholder the amount of dividends paid to such shareholder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. shareholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. shareholder may be subject to backup withholding unless applicable certification requirements are met.

 

Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the U.S. is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. shareholder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a

 

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U.S. person) or the shareholder otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock conducted through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries is subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the financial intermediary has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. shareholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Foreign Accounts

 

Federal legislation may impose withholding taxes on certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” and certain other non-U.S. entities. Under this legislation, failure to comply with additional certification, information reporting and other specified requirements could result in withholding tax being imposed on payments of dividends and sales proceeds to U.S. shareholders (as defined above) who own shares of our common stock through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries and certain non-U.S. shareholders. The 30% withholding tax, pursuant to proposed Treasury Regulations, would be imposed on payments made after December 31, 2013 with respect to dividends, and after December 31, 2014, with respect to gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a foreign entity other than a financial institution, unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations or (ii) the foreign entity that is not a financial institution either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner. If the payee is a foreign financial institution, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S. owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts and withhold 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these reporting and other requirements. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding this legislation.

 

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

 

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of Treasury. No assurance can be given as to whether, when or in what form U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our shareholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal income tax laws could adversely affect an investment in shares of our common stock.

 

Regulatory Approval

 

Apart from the registration under U.S. federal securities laws of the Residential common stock that will be issued in the Separation, we do not believe that any other material governmental or regulatory filings or approvals will be necessary to consummate the Separation.

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

Under Luxembourg Law, Altisource shareholders will not have appraisal rights in connection with the Separation.

 

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALTISOURCE AND US FOLLOWING THE SEPARATION

 

For purposes of governing certain ongoing relationships between Altisource and us after the Separation, and to provide for an orderly transition to the status of two independent companies, we have entered or will enter into the agreements described in this section with Altisource. Forms of the agreements summarized below are, or will be, included as exhibits to the registration statement on Form 10 that we have filed with the SEC, and the following summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the agreements, as filed. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 78.

 

Separation Agreement

 

On the Separation Date, we will enter into a Separation Agreement with Altisource, which will provide for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Separation and certain other agreements related to the continuing relationship between Altisource and us after the Separation.

 

We are a development stage company recently created by Altisource.  The Separation Agreement with Altisource identifies assets and liabilities that will be transferred to us in connection with the Separation, provided that certain conditions precedent to the transfer are met, such as the effectiveness of our registration statement on Form 10, the listing of our securities on a national securities exchange and receipt of necessary governmental approvals.  The assets that will be transferred to us are comprised primarily of cash.  There are no other significant liabilities that will be transferred to us at Separation.

 

Under the Separation Agreement, and effective as of the Separation Date, we will assume, and will agree to indemnify Altisource against, all liabilities, litigation and claims, including related insurance costs, arising out of our business, and Altisource will retain, and will agree to indemnify us against, all liabilities, litigation and claims, including related insurance costs arising out of Altisource’s businesses. The foregoing obligations will not entitle an indemnified party to recovery to the extent any such liability is covered by proceeds received by such party from any third party insurance policy.

 

The Separation Agreement will also provide that both parties will be granted access to certain records and information in the possession of the other and will require the retention by each of Altisource and us, for a period of six years following the Separation Date, of all such information in its possession.

 

Altisource Master Services Agreement

 

On the Separation Date, we will enter into the Altisource Master Services Agreement.  Under this agreement, Altisource will provide property management, leasing and construction management services associated with the acquired single-family rental assets.  The agreement will provide for an initial term of 15 years, which term will automatically renew for successive two-year terms unless either party sends a notice of non-renewal to the other party at least nine months before the completion of the initial or renewal term, as applicable .

 

The total fees incurred by us under this agreement will be dependent upon the property management, leasing and construction management services required on an asset-specific basis and will vary significantly based upon the location and condition of the asset as well as current market conditions and tenant turnover.

 

In the event the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is terminated without cause by us or for cause by AAMC, the Altisource Master Services Agreement may be terminated.

 

Support Services Agreement

 

On the Separation Date, we will enter into a Support Services Agreement with Altisource. Under the Support Services Agreement, Altisource may provide services to us in such areas as human resources, vendor management operations, corporate services, risk management and six sigma, quality assurance, consumer psychology, treasury, finance and accounting, legal, tax, compliance and other support services where we may need assistance and support following the Separation (collectively, the “Support Services”). The Support Services Agreement will provide generally that Altisource will undertake to provide the Support Services in a manner generally consistent with the manner and level of care with which such service, if any, was performed or provided prior to the Separation. The

 

49



 

Support Services Agreement will extend for two years after the Separation but may be terminated earlier under certain circumstances including a default.  We expect that the fees for all Support Services provided pursuant to the Support Services Agreement will be based on the fully-allocated cost of providing the service, though this may vary pursuant to statements of work entered into under the Support Services Agreement.  “Fully-allocated cost” means, with respect to the provision of a “Service”, the all-in cost of providing such Service, including direct charges and allocable amounts reflecting compensation and benefits, technology expenses, occupancy and equipment expense and third-party payments (but not taxes incurred in connection therewith).  Altisource will be required to submit statements of account on a monthly basis with respect to all amounts payable by us, setting out the Support Services provided and the amount billed as a result of providing such Support Services. We believe that the terms and conditions of the Support Services Agreement are no less favorable to us than those available from unrelated parties for a comparable arrangement.

 

The total fees incurred by us under this agreement will be dependent upon our business activity and the level of services required in connection therewith.  While market conditions will drive our business activity, we do not anticipate incurring fees under this agreement in excess of $50,000 in the first year of our operations.

 

In the event the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is terminated without cause by us or for cause by AAMC, the Support Services Agreement will simultaneously terminate.

 

Tax Matters Agreement

 

On the Separation Date, we will enter into a Tax Matters Agreement with Altisource which sets out each party’s rights and obligations with respect to deficiencies and refunds, if any, of Luxembourg, U.S. federal, state, local or other foreign taxes for periods before and after the Separation and related matters such as the filing of tax returns and the conduct of IRS and other audits. In general, under this agreement, we will be responsible for taxes attributable to our business incurred after the Separation, and Altisource will be responsible for taxes attributable to our business incurred prior to the Separation.

 

Trademark License Agreement

 

On the Separation Date, we will enter into a Trademark License Agreement with Altisource.  Under this agreement, Altisource will grant us a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, royalty free license to use the name “Altisource.”  The agreement has no specified term and may be terminated by either party upon 30 days written notice, with or without cause.  In the event that this agreement is terminated, all rights and licenses granted thereunder, including, but not limited to, the right to use “Altisource” in our name will terminate.

 

In the event the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is terminated without cause by us or for cause by AAMC, the Trademark License Agreement will simultaneously terminate.

 

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DISTRIBUTION POLICY

 

We expect to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay tax at regular corporate rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its net taxable income. To satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT and generally not be subject to U.S. federal income and excise tax, we intend to make regular distributions of all or substantially all of our net taxable income to our shareholders out of assets legally available therefor.

 

Any distributions we make in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our actual results of operations, financial conditions, economic conditions, debt covenants, funding or margin requirements under credit facilities, repurchase agreements or other secured and unsecured borrowing agreements, applicable provisions of the MGCL and such other factors as our Board of Directors deems relevant. Our earnings and financial condition will be affected by various factors, including the operating income from our portfolio and any other expenditures. For more information regarding risk factors that could materially and adversely affect our earnings and financial condition, see “Risk Factors.”

 

Although we currently do not intend to do so, to the extent that in respect of any calendar year, cash available for distribution is less than our net taxable income, we could be required to sell assets or borrow funds to make cash distributions or make a portion of the required distribution in the form of a taxable stock distribution or distribution of debt securities.

 

We anticipate that our distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income to our shareholders, although a portion of the distributions may be designated by us as qualified dividend income or capital gain or may constitute a return of capital. In addition, a portion of such distributions may be taxable stock dividends payable in our shares. We will furnish annually to each of our shareholders a statement setting forth distributions paid during the preceding year and their characterization as ordinary income, return of capital, qualified dividend income or capital gain.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table describes our cash and capitalization as of September 30, 2012, on an actual, pro forma and pro forma as-adjusted basis to give effect to the Separation and Separation related events.  The information presented below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2012

 

 

 

Actual(1)

 

Pro Forma(2)

 

Pro Forma As
Adjusted(3)

 

Cash

 

$

500,000

 

$

500,000

 

$

82,000,000

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common units ($0.01 par value)

 

 

 

77,870

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

99,922,130

 

Capital contribution

 

500,000

 

500,000

 

 

Total equity

 

500,000

 

500,000

 

100,000,000

 

Total capitalization

 

$

500,000

 

$

500,000

 

$

100,000,000

 

 


(1)          Reflects the actual results of the Altisource Residential, L.P. (the “Partnership”).  In contemplation of the Separation, Altisource formed the Partnership on June 7, 2012.

 

(2)          Prior to the Separation, Altisource will contribute the limited partner interests in the Partnership to Residential, which was formed on July 19, 2012. On October 1, 2012, Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC assigned the ownership of Altisource Residential GP, LLC, the general partner of Altisource Residential, L.P., to Residential.  Altisource Residential GP, LLC has assets of $1, no liabilities and no operations.

 

(3)          Based on the number of Altisource shares outstanding on September 30, 2012, approximately 7,787,000 shares of Residential common stock will be issued to shareholders of Altisource on the Separation Date. The actual number of shares of Residential common stock to be issued will be determined as of the Record Date.

 

In connection with the Separation, Altisource will contribute an additional $99.5 million of cash to us to provide what Altisource management believes to be sufficient capital for us to begin to execute on our strategy and operate separately. Following the Separation, we intend to invest $18 million in the non-voting preferred stock of NewSource.  AAMC intends to simultaneously invest in the voting common stock of NewSource.  Residential and AAMC will be the only owners of NewSource.  NewSource will retain Altisource under a long-term Title Insurance Services Agreement to provide a wide range of technical underwriting services that will allow NewSource to evaluate title risk in a timely and cost effective manner.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with other sections of this information statement including “Business,” “Risk Factors,” and the financial statements and the notes related thereto. The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that are based upon our current expectations which are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Our actual results may differ materially from the expectations due to changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive and market factors, many of which are beyond our control. See “Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere herein.

 

Significant components of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations include:

 

 

Page

Executive Summary — This section provides a summary of Altisource Residential Corporation and Altisource Residential, L.P., and the principal factors affecting anticipated operations. In addition, we provide a brief description of our Separation from Altisource and the basis of presentation of our financial information.

54

 

 

Results of Operations and Known Trends or Future Events — This section provides an overview of our activities since inception and planned future events.

54

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources — The liquidity and capital resources section provides a discussion of Residential’s cash flows for the period from June 7, 2012 (date of inception) to September 30, 2012 and our expected ability to meet near-term cash requirements.

55

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — The critical accounting policies and estimates section provides details with respect to accounting policies that are considered by management to require significant judgment and use of estimates that could have a significant impact on our financial statements.

55

 

 

Recent Pronouncements — The recent pronouncements section provides a discussion of the impact or potential impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements on our financial statements where applicable.

57

 

 

Other Matters — The other matters section provides a discussion of related party transactions and provisions of the various Separation related agreements with Altisource.

57

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

Separation from Altisource

 

On April 26, 2012, Altisource announced its intention to spin-off a development stage company into a stand-alone public company that will acquire and own single-family rental assets.  We were capitalized on July 19, 2012 with nominal assets and have not commenced operations.  Prior to the Separation, we will be capitalized with an additional $99.5 million of cash from Altisource.  On the Separation Date, Altisource will distribute all of the shares of Residential common stock to Altisource’s shareholders.  Altisource’s shareholders will receive 1 share of Residential common stock for every 3 shares of Altisource common stock they hold on the Record Date.  Upon the Separation, Residential will no longer be a part of Altisource.

 

In connection with the Separation, Residential and Altisource will enter into the Separation Agreement and certain other agreements to govern the terms of the Separation and certain ongoing relationships between Altisource and us subsequent to the Separation.  These agreements include the Altisource Master Services Agreement, a Support Services Agreement, a Tax Matters Agreement and a Trademark License Agreement (collectively, the “Residential Negotiated Agreements”).  These agreements are more fully described below.  Also see “Relationship Between Altisource and Us Following the Separation.”

 

General Description of Our Business

 

Residential is a development stage company with no operating history. Since its inception on July 19, 2012, Residential has generated no revenue.

 

We are organized as a Maryland corporation and intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We were recently formed by Altisource to acquire and own single-family rental assets.  Our primary sourcing strategy to obtain single-family rental assets includes acquiring sub-performing and non-performing loans as well as the direct acquisition of REO Properties. We intend to pursue opportunities to acquire single family rental assets and sub-performing or non-performing loans throughout the United States as long as such assets meet our desired property characteristics and provide acceptable long term returns.

 

In addition, we intend to make an investment in the non-voting preferred stock of NewSource. We will engage AAMC to provide us with certain asset management and corporate governance services, including providing us with a management team and appropriate support personnel.

 

For additional information regarding Residential’s business, please refer to the discussion under the “Business” section of this information statement.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The historical financial statements included in this information statement reflect those of the Partnership, reflecting a cash contribution of $500,000 as of September 30, 2012.  We cannot predict what our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows will be once we commence operations and operate as a stand-alone public company.

 

The assets assigned to us pursuant to the Separation Agreement are accounted for at the historical book values of such assets.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND KNOWN TRENDS OR FUTURE EVENTS

 

We have not engaged in any operations or generated any revenues to date. We will not generate any revenues until after completion of the Separation when we will begin to generate revenues from the anticipated acquisition of REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loans. We expect to generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents after the Separation. After the Separation, in addition to our operating expenses, we expect to incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting,

 

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accounting and auditing compliance). Unless we commence our revenue-generating business operations in the near-term, we anticipate we will generate a net loss in the current fiscal year.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of September 30, 2012, we were capitalized with a $500,000 cash contribution which is reflected in the cash provided by financing activities in the accompanying statement of cash flows.  Immediately prior to the Separation, Altisource intends to make an additional cash contribution of approximately $99.5 million to us.  This contribution will provide the necessary funding for our contemplated $18 million investment in the non-voting preferred stock of NewSource .  AAMC intends to invest in the voting common stock of NewSource.  AAMC and Residential will be the only owners of NewSource.  We believe that our ability to generate cash flow from our anticipated operations, coupled with cash on hand, will be adequate to meet expected near-term cash requirements, which principally include operational expenditures, working capital and capital spending.

 

In the event we decide to grow our business, we will evaluate a number of potential capital raising alternatives, including the issuance and sale of shares of Class A common stock, the issuance and sale of debt securities and entering into credit facilities with banks or other lending institutions.  Because our decision to issue equity through accessing the capital markets or debt through entering into credit agreements will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate our future capital structure.

 

As a separate company, we intend to employ a disciplined cash policy that seeks first to maintain a strong balance sheet and second to invest in compelling growth opportunities.  However, if our estimates of costs are less than the actual amount of such costs and cash on hand becomes insufficient to operate our business, we may need to obtain additional equity financing, debt financing or both in order to meet our obligations.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Accounting standards require information in financial statements about the risks and uncertainties inherent in significant estimates, and the application of generally accepted accounting principles involves the exercise of varying degrees of judgment. Certain amounts included in or affecting our financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated, requiring us to make certain assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time our financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts we report for our assets and liabilities, our revenues and expenses during the reporting period and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. We will routinely evaluate these estimates utilizing historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods we consider reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from our estimates and any effects on our business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

 

We believe that the assumptions, judgments and estimates involved in the accounting policies described below have the greatest potential impact on our financial statements in the future. These areas are key components of our future results of operations and are based on complex rules that require us to make assumptions, judgments and estimates, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can utilize the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We are choosing to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for all public companies

 

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which are not emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

 

Accounting for Income Taxes

 

We expect to operate as a REIT. To avoid current entity level U.S. federal income taxes, we expect to distribute 100% of our capital gains and at least 90% of our ordinary income to shareholders annually. If, with respect to any taxable year, we fail to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we would not be allowed to deduct distributions to shareholders in computing our taxable income and federal income tax. If we lose our REIT status, corporate level income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, would apply to our taxable income at regular corporate rates. As a result, the amount available for distribution to shareholders that would otherwise receive dividends would be reduced for the year or years involved, and we would no longer be required to make distributions. In addition, unless we were entitled to relief under the relevant statutory provisions, we would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years.

 

Commitments, contingencies and indemnifications

 

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, will be recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. We are not aware of any litigation or other contingencies that would have an adverse impact on our financial statements.

 

We will enter into contracts with Altisource in connection with the Separation that contain a variety of indemnifications.  We currently expect the risk of loss related to these indemnifications to be remote.

 

Acquired loans with evidence of credit deterioration

 

Acquired loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality , when applicable.  At acquisition, each loan is reviewed to determine whether there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable that we will be unable to collect all contractually required payments.  We, to the extent there is a reasonable expectation about the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be collected, will consider expected prepayments and estimate the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows for each pool of loans meeting the criteria above, and determine the excess of the loan’s or pool’s scheduled contractual principal and contractual interest payments over all cash flows expected at acquisition as an amount that should not be accreted (non-accretable difference).  The remaining amount, representing the excess of the pool’s cash flows expected to be collected over the amount paid, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining expected life of the loan or pool (accretable yield).  Loans are removed from the acquired with credit deteriorated category upon sale, foreclosure, receipt of assets in satisfaction of the loan or full write off of the loan.  We will periodically evaluate the expected cash flows for each pool.  Prior expected cash flows are compared to current expected cash flows and cash collections to determine if any additional impairment should be recognized.  Impairment is recognized through an additional allowance for loan losses if the present value of future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate of the pool has decreased.  The present value of any subsequent increase in the pool’s actual cash flows or cash flows expected to be collected is used first to reverse any existing valuation allowance for that pool. Any remaining increase in cash flows expected to be collected is adjusted to the accretable yield and recognized over the estimated remaining life of the pool.

 

Rental income

 

Rental income related to leases is recognized on an accrual basis when due from residents as required by the accounting guidance on classification and recognition applicable to leases. In accordance with our standard lease terms, rental payments will generally be due on a monthly basis. Any cash concessions given at the inception of the lease will be amortized over the approximate life of the lease.

 

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

We do not anticipate that any recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a significant impact on our financial statements upon adoption.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Contractual obligations

 

Our long-term contractual obligations will primarily include (i) the AAMC Asset Management Agreement, (ii) the Altisource Master Services Agreement, (iii) the Support Services Agreement with Altisource, (iv) the Ocwen Servicing Agreement and (v) our Trademark License Agreement with Altisource. See “Relationship Between Altisource and Us Following the Separation.” As of September 30, 2012, we had not entered into any of these arrangements.

 

The AAMC Asset Management Agreement

 

We will enter into the AAMC Asset Management Agreement.  Pursuant to the terms of the AAMC Asset Management Agreement, AAMC will provide us with the Services, including providing us with a management team and appropriate support personnel.  The AAMC Asset Management Agreement will have an initial term of 15 years, and will be automatically renewed for a one-year term on each anniversary date thereafter unless terminated in accordance with its terms.  During the term of the AAMC Asset Management Agreement, we will not employ or contract with any third party to provide the same or substantially similar services without AAMC’s prior written consent.

 

Incentive fee

 

As compensation for the Services, we will pay AAMC a quarterly incentive fee as follows: (i) 2% of all cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders until the aggregate amount of such cash available for distribution during the quarter divided by the average number of shares of our common stock outstanding during the quarter (the “Quarterly Per Share Distribution Amount”) exceeds $0.161, then (ii) 15% of all additional cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders until the Quarterly Per Share Distribution Amount exceeds $0.193, then (iii) 25% of all additional cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders until the Quarterly Per Share Distribution Amount exceeds $0.257, and thereafter (iv) 50% of all additional cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders (in each case as such amounts may be appropriately adjusted from time to time to take into account the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split or stock dividend).  The foregoing thresholds will be reduced to the extent that we pay or are deemed to pay dividends of cash from capital transactions and in the event that we pay or are deemed to pay dividends of cash from capital transactions so that a hypothetical holder of one share of our Class B common stock acquired on the Separation Date has received with respect to such share of Class B common stock, since the Separation Date, distributions of cash that are deemed to be cash from capital transactions in an aggregate amount equal to $12.74 (the approximate book value of single share of our Class B common stock as of the Separation Date), then all of the foregoing thresholds will be reduced to zero and we will pay AAMC a quarterly incentive fee equal to 50% of all additional cash available for distribution by us to our shareholders.  For the purpose of this calculation, any Class A common stock dividend priority will be disregarded.

 

In the event that we pay or are deemed to pay our shareholders dividends of cash from capital transactions, AAMC will not receive an incentive fee with respect to such capital transactions dividends until a hypothetical holder of one share of our Class B Common stock acquired on the Separation Date has received with respect to such share of Class B common stock, since the Separation Date, distributions of cash that are deemed to be cash from capital transactions in an aggregate amount equal to $12.74.  For the purpose of this calculation, any Class A common stock dividend priority will be disregarded.  Thereafter, AAMC will be entitled to an incentive fee with respect to any dividends of cash from capital transactions in accordance with the calculation in the preceding paragraph.

 

We believe that our incentive fee arrangement with AAMC aligns the interest of AAMC with our shareholders.  Unlike incentive fee structures that pay the asset manager fees of 2% of assets under management (“AUM”), AAMC only earns incentive fees in relation to the dividends received by our shareholders.  The following graph provides a

 

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comparison of the distributions to Residential shareholders under the AAMC incentive fee structure versus an AUM-linked incentive fee structure.  Additionally, as AAMC will be a public company, our shareholders may choose to participate in the incentive fee arrangement by also investing in AAMC.

 

 

This graph assumes varying levels of annual cash available for distribution, $100,000,000 book value of assets under management and approximately 7,787,700 shares to initially be outstanding. The incentive fees will be paid out of the total cash available for distribution, impacting distributions paid.

 

Expense reimbursement

 

We will be required to reimburse AAMC on a monthly basis for the reasonable operating and overhead expenses AAMC incurs related to the Services.  We do not intend to reimburse AAMC for any compensation to be paid to Mr. Erbey in connection with his role of Chairman of AAMC.

 

Termination

 

We may not terminate the AAMC Asset Management Agreement without cause during the first 24 months of its term.  Following such 24-month period, we may terminate the AAMC Asset Management Agreement without cause upon the determination of at least two-thirds of our independent directors that (i) there has been unsatisfactory performance by AAMC that is materially detrimental to us, or (ii) the compensation payable to AAMC under the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is unreasonable, unless AAMC agrees to compensation that at least two-thirds of our independent directors determine is reasonable.

 

AAMC may terminate the AAMC Asset Management Agreement without cause by providing written notice to us no later than 180 days prior to the anniversary date of the AAMC Asset Management Agreement of any year during the initial term or a renewal term, and the AAMC Asset Management Agreement will terminate effective on the anniversary date of the AAMC Asset Management Agreement next following the delivery of such notice.

 

We will be required to pay AAMC a termination fee in the event that the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is terminated as a result of (i) a termination by us without cause, (ii) a termination by AAMC as a result of our becoming regulated as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act, or (iii) a termination by AAMC if we default in the performance of any material term of the AAMC Asset Management Agreement (subject to a notice and cure period).

 

The termination fee will be equal to three times the average annual incentive fee earned by AAMC during the prior 24-month period immediately preceding the date of termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the date of termination.  In the event the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is terminated without cause by us or for cause by AAMC, the Ocwen Servicing Agreement and the Residential Negotiated Agreements may simultaneously terminate.

 

Agreements with Altisource

 

Provided below is a brief description of the arrangements we expect to enter into with Altisource.  These arrangements may involve, or may appear to involve, conflicts of interest.  See the detailed discussion in the “Risk Factors” and “Affiliate Relationships and Related Party Transactions” sections of this document.

 

Altisource Master Services Agreement

 

See “Relationship Between Altisource and Us Following the Separation—-Altisource Master Services Agreement.”

 

Support Services Agreement

 

See “Relationship Between Altisource and Us Following the Separation—Support Services Agreement.”

 

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Tax Matters Agreement

 

See “Relationship Between Altisource and Us Following the Separation—-Tax Matters Agreement.”

 

Trademark License Agreement

 

See “Relationship Between Altisource and Us Following the Separation—Trademark License Agreement.”

 

For additional information see “Relationship Between Altisource and Us Following the Separation.”

 

Ocwen Servicing Agreement

 

As discussed in the “Business” section, on the Separation Date, we will enter into the Ocwen Servicing Agreement.  Under this agreement, Ocwen will service the our acquired mortgage loans and provide loan modification, assisted deed-in-lieu, assisted deed-for-lease and other loss mitigation programs.  The agreement will provide for an initial term of 15 years.  In the event the AAMC Asset Management Agreement is terminated without cause by us or for cause by AAMC, the Ocwen Servicing Agreement may be terminated.

 

The total fees incurred by us under this agreement will be dependent upon the number and type of acquired mortgage loans that Ocwen services pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

 

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BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We are organized as a Maryland corporation and intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We were formed on July 19, 2012 by Altisource to acquire and own single-family rental assets.  Our primary sourcing strategy to obtain single-family rental assets includes acquiring sub-performing and non-performing loans as well as the direct acquisition of REO Properties. We intend to pursue opportunities to acquire single-family rental assets and sub-performing and non-performing loans throughout the United States as long as such assets meet our desired property characteristics and provide acceptable long term returns. Consequently, neither the allocation of the assets within our portfolio nor the geographic allocation of the assets will be predetermined.  In addition, we intend to make a preferred investment in NewSource. We will engage AAMC, recently formed by Altisource and being spun off on or about the same date as us, to provide us with the Services under the AAMC Asset Management Agreement.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

Our business strategy is to provide a growing stream of dividends to our shareholders by:

 

·                   Acquiring single-family rental assets at an attractive cost relative to the REO market through the purchase of non-performing loan portfolios.  Our goal will be to capture what we view as the positive arbitrage in today’s market between the price of non-performing loans, adjusted for carrying costs, and the value of the underlying real estate assets when sold as REO and

·                   Managing single-family rental assets nationwide at a lower cost than that of our competitors.

 

To help us achieve this strategy, we will leverage AAMC’s strategic relationships with Altisource and Ocwen.  These relationships provide us with what we believe are two significant competitive advantages.

 

First, we expect that the Ocwen Servicing Agreement will enable us to obtain single-family rental assets at a discount to the typical REO acquisition price by acquiring sub-performing or non-performing loans.  This arbitrage exists because there are extended timelines, complexities and uncertainties in managing non-performing and sub-performing loans resulting from the loan modification, foreclosure and REO sale processes.  We believe that Ocwen’s extensive mortgage servicing experience will enable us to shorten non-performing loan resolution timelines by effectively and efficiently (1) converting a portion of the non-performing loan portfolio to performing status and (2) managing the foreclosure process and timelines with respect to the remainder of the portfolio.  We also believe that Ocwen’s mortgage servicing expertise will provide us with access to a large and low cost supply of single-family rental assets.

 

Based on the industry experience of AAMC’s management team, we believe non-performing loans often sell at discount to the market value of the underlying property securing the loan.  We expect that a portion of the non-performing loans will be returned to performing status primarily through loan modifications.  After the loans are modified, and following a short seasoning period, we expect the borrowers to refinance these loans near the estimated value of the underlying property — generating very attractive returns for us.

 

Despite efforts to modify or return the mortgage loans to a performing status, we expect that a portion of these mortgage loans will enter into foreclosure, ultimately becoming REO that can be converted into single-family rental assets.  Even after considering the foreclosure expenses and the time value of money, we should be able to acquire REO through the mortgage loan default process at a discount to the typical REO acquisition price.  Additionally, as we intend to retain the majority of the underlying real estate assets, we will avoid some of the typical REO costs (such as real estate brokerage commissions).

 

We expect that our second competitive advantage will be our relationship with Altisource through our Altisource Master Services Agreement.  We believe that Altisource’s real property management experience and centralized vendor management model will allow us to operate single-family rental assets at a lower cost than our competitors.  Our goal is to minimize our property management expenses for a single-family rental asset so that those expenses will be similar to that for an apartment unit managed by a multi-family REIT.  Further, because of Altisource’s distributed vendor model, we can acquire assets without regard to their location or density.  This allows

 

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us to competitively bid on large sub-performing or non-performing mortgage portfolios with assets dispersed throughout the United States.  Altisource has extensive property management operational experience, managing and maintaining over 90,000 REO Properties for others over the last three years, which represents approximately $9 billion of estimated value in such properties.

 

While the Ocwen Servicing Agreement and Altisource Master Services Agreements are not exclusive arrangements, we believe that these relationships will provide us with significant competitive advantages with respect to acquiring and maintaining single-family rental assets.  We expect to acquire single-family rental assets with the intention to hold these assets over the long-term with a focus on developing brand and franchise value.  We also believe that the forecasted growth for the single-family rental marketplace, in combination with our projected asset management and acquisition costs and our ability to acquire assets without regard to their location or density provide us with a significant opportunity to establish the Company as a leading, externally-managed residential REIT.

 

Distribution Policy

 

All decisions regarding the declaration and payment of distributions will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be evaluated from time to time in light of , among other things, our actual results of operations, financial conditions, economic conditions, debt covenants, funding or margin requirements under credit facilities, repurchase agreements or other secured and unsecured borrowing agreements, applicable provisions of the MGCL and such other factors as our Board of Directors deems relevant.

 

Key Investment Strategies

 

Single-Family Rental Assets.   Studies estimate the single-family residential rental market in the U.S. is a $3 trillion industry, accounting for approximately 52% of all residential rental units. With the continued displacement of homeowners related to foreclosures and other adverse economic circumstances, we believe the demand for single-family homes for rent will significantly increase.  In addition, studies estimate that over four million distressed loans and REO Properties will be converted to rental homes by 2015.  Despite the size of the single-family residential rental market, in our experience, the industry is generally fragmented, localized and decentralized. We believe, on the other hand, that there are significant opportunities to consolidate the market by leveraging purchasing, technology and centralized operations and management.

 

Our primary sourcing strategy to obtain single-family rental assets includes acquiring sub-performing and non-performing loans as well as REO Properties.

 

AAMC, on our behalf, has developed certain acquisition strategies for sub-performing and non-performing loans and structured the necessary supplier relationships to execute them.  One such strategy is to acquire the sub-performing and non-performing mortgage loans and use an aggressive loan modification strategy, which we expect will result in re-performing loans that will be primarily refinanced by the borrowers as well as loans that will ultimately become REO Properties incorporated into our portfolio of single-family rental assets through the foreclosure process.  This strategy requires expertise to value mortgage loans, REO Properties and residential mortgage backed securities, as well as an understanding of statistically significant collateral characteristics that are key drivers behind residential loan modifications.

 

To execute this strategy, AAMC has facilitated, on our behalf, the Ocwen Servicing Agreement to provide for the servicing of the mortgage loans we acquire and the maximization of the value of those mortgage loans through Ocwen’s loan modification, assisted deed-in-lieu, assisted deed-for-lease and other loss mitigation programs.  As a subprime and Alt-A mortgage loan servicer, Ocwen has a significant amount of experience with special servicing.  Ocwen’s collection strategies seek to identify payment problems at the early stage of delinquency and, if necessary, to address the delinquency in order to preserve the equity in a pre-foreclosure mortgage property.  Based on its in-depth experience as a leading mortgage servicer, Ocwen has developed a number of strategies to improve the collection process, including, a proactive consulting approach, defined call strategies, a variety of loan modification strategies and enhanced payment methods.

 

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Ocwen is licensed to service mortgage loans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories.  Ocwen is a leading provider of residential and commercial mortgage loan servicing, special servicing and asset management services.  As of September 30, 2012, Ocwen serviced 805,427 residential loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $127.1 billion.  Ocwen and its predecessors have been servicing mortgage loans since 1988.  Ocwen has been a leader in developing and implementing mortgage servicing industry best practices and utilizes advanced modeling of loan and consumer-specific resolution alternatives to reduce losses.

 

As the mortgage loans are modified and refinanced or become REO Properties, we expect that the value of these residential assets will increase.  For re-performing mortgage loans, we expect to monetize those loans as the borrowers refinance these loans near the estimated value of the underlying property.  This should result in attractive returns to us, given that we believe the same mortgage loans will often sell, in our management’s experience, for as low as 55% of the estimated value of the underlying property securing the loan.  For those loans which remain non-performing, we have a low cost of capital and can effectively and efficiently transition the loans through the default process.  As a result, we believe that we can acquire mortgage loans that become REO Properties at a lower cost than the cost to directly acquire REO Properties.

 

We also intend to make targeted investments in the single-family residential market. We will acquire REO Properties, renovate them, lease them and earn rental income. Based on our experience, we believe that the entry point for investment in single-family residential real estate is at a generational low, offering the potential for attractive returns.

 

To address the operational challenges of managing single family residential real estate on a nationwide basis, we will enter into the Altisource Master Services Agreement whereby Altisource will provide us with property management, leasing and construction management services.  Altisource is one of the few nationwide single-family REO management and property inspection and preservation companies.  Altisource has existing nationwide single-family asset management, property inspection and preservation, real estate brokerage and settlement services operations, primarily performed from centralized lower cost locations.  We believe that Altisource’s real property management experience and centralized vendor management model will allow us to operate single-family rental assets at a lower cost than our competitors.  Our goal is to minimize our property management expenses for a single-family rental asset so that those expenses will be similar to that for an apartment unit managed by a multi-family REIT.

 

While investing in REO Properties and mortgage loans offers a variety of opportunities, it is also a socially responsible initiative. Our long-term hold strategy will assist in stabilizing the housing market by reducing for-sale inventory levels.  It will also provide affordable access to housing for families that cannot otherwise buy a home and create jobs to refurbish and maintain housing.  Our loan modification strategy keeps more homeowners in their homes and avoids the economically inefficient costs of foreclosure.

 

Title Insurance and Reinsurance.   The acquisition of REO Properties and mortgage loans requires a detailed analysis of the chain of title and typically involves the purchase of title insurance to ensure clear and marketable title to each property.  We intend to invest in the non-voting preferred stock of NewSource for $18 million.  AAMC intends to simultaneously invest in the voting common stock of NewSource for $2 million.  Residential and AAMC will be the only owners of NewSource, and we do not anticipate that NewSource will require any additional equity capital beyond the initial capitalization.  NewSource will retain Altisource under a long-term Title Insurance Services Agreement to provide a wide range of technical underwriting services that will allow NewSource to evaluate title risk in a timely and cost effective manner.  Altisource will receive the Performance Fee after NewSource pays us a 12% preferred dividend.  Additionally, NewSource intends to enter into a Management Agreement with Marsh IAS Management Services (Bermuda) Ltd., which will allow it to avoid the cost of having any permanent employees in Bermuda or otherwise.

 

We believe NewSource will provide us with a stable dividend stream through insuring and reinsuring title insurance on our mortgage loans and single-family rental assets as well as the mortgage loans and real estate sourced by Altisource through its relationships with Ocwen and Lenders One, a national alliance of leading community mortgage bankers, correspondent lenders and suppliers of mortgage products and services.  By directly writing policies for us and Altisource, we expect that NewSource will retain 100% of the premium for the title insurance or reinsurance it provides.  This materially reduces NewSource’s exposure from title insurance claim-related losses

 

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since it retains a significant portion of the revenue normally paid as commissions to unaffiliated title agents to absorb any such claims.

 

Customers

 

We currently do not have any customers.

 

Competition

 

We will face competition from various companies for investment opportunities in REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loans, including REITs, pension funds, insurance companies, hedge funds, other investment funds and companies, partnerships and developers.  For additional information, please refer to the discussion in this section and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Ownership of Real Estate and Real Estate Related Assets.”

 

Government Approval

 

Outside of routine business filings, we do not believe that it is necessary to obtain any government approval in order to operate our business.

 

Governmental Regulations

 

Our business is subject to numerous governmental regulations, including regulations relating to the ownership of REO Properties and sub-performing and non-performing loans and regulations governing REITs.  For additional information, please refer to the discussion in this section, “Risk Factors” and “The Separation—Certain Ongoing U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters Subsequent to the Separation.”

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

 

As an owner of real estate and, in some cases of mortgage loans, we will be subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and ordinances and also could be liable to third parties resulting from environmental contamination or noncompliance with respect to our properties. See the detailed discussion of these and other risks related to environmental matters are described in more detail in “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Ownership of Real Estate and Real Estate Related Assets.”

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we are eligible to avail ourselves of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements of public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to an exemption from complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We have not made a decision whether to avail ourselves of certain of these exemptions.

 

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can utilize an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, allowing it to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we are choosing to “opt out” of such extended transition period, and as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for all public companies which are not emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

 

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We could remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.

 

Employees

 

We will not have any employees.  Our business will be managed and operated under the direction of our Board of Directors.

 

Properties and Facilities

 

Our principal executive offices will be Altisource Residential Corporation, c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation, 402 Strand St., Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands 00840-3531 .

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are not subject to any pending legal proceedings.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Directors and Officers

 

Set forth below is information concerning those persons that will serve as directors and officers of Residential:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position(s) with the Company

William C. Erbey

 

63

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Michael A. Eruzione

 

57

 

Director

Robert J. Fitzpatrick

 

52

 

Director

James H. Mullen, Jr.

 

54

 

Director

David B. Reiner

 

56

 

Director

Ashish Pandey

 

37

 

Chief Executive Officer

Rachel M. Ridley

 

34

 

Chief Financial Officer

Stephen H. Gray

 

42

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 

We have no employees. Our day-to-day management functions will be performed by AAMC. All of our executive officers will be employed by and receive compensation from AAMC, for the Services provided to Residential, including their service as our executive officers. The compensation received by executive officers is not paid or determined by us, but rather by AAMC. As a result, we do not have a compensation policy or program for executive officers and have not included a “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” or “Compensation Committee Report” in this information statement.

 

William C. Erbey. Mr. Erbey serves as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ocwen since September 1996, Chairman of the Board of Altisource since July 2009 and Chairman of the Board of HLSS since December, 2010. Additionally, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Ocwen from January 1988 to October 2010 and as the President of Ocwen from January 1988 to May 1998. From 1983 to 1995, Mr. Erbey served as a Managing General Partner of The Oxford Financial Group, a private investment partnership that was the predecessor of Ocwen. From 1975 to 1983, Mr. Erbey served at General Electric Capital Corporation in various capacities including the President and Chief Operating Officer of General Electric Mortgage Insurance Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Allegheny College and a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard University.

 

Mr. Erbey’s experience in the financial services and mortgage services industries provides the Board of Directors with a perspective and insight into strategic and operational opportunities as well as economic and industry trends of relevance to the competitive positioning of the Company. In addition, his experience as the Chairman of the boards of directors of Ocwen, HLSS and Altisource demonstrates his leadership capability and business acumen.

 

Michael A. Eruzione. Mr. Eruzione was appointed to the Board of Directors of Residential in December 2012.  Mr. Eruzione represents major corporations as a spokesperson and as a motivational speaker and has served as the Director of Development for Athletics at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts since 1995.  He previously served as the Director of Special Programs for Alumni Relations and Development.  From 1984 to 1994, Mr. Eruzione worked as a sports commentator for Madison Square Garden, ABC, NBC and CBS.  Mr. Eruzione was captain of the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team that won the gold medal in Lake Placid, NY.  Mr. Eruzione holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Boston University School of Education in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

Mr. Eruzione’s diverse background and experience representing major corporations provides insight to the Board of Directors, particularly with respect to the development of strategic relationships.

 

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Robert J. Fitzpatrick. Mr. Fitzpatrick was appointed to the Board of Directors of Residential in December 2012.  Mr. Fitzpatrick has over 25 years of experience in real estate banking and structured finance and is one of the founding members of Institutional Mortgage Capital Canada, Inc. (“IMCCI”), established in 2009 as an investment platform for investors in Canadian commercial real estate debt and securities. Mr. Fitzpatrick has served as Chief Financial Officer of IMCCI since 2011. Prior to joining IMCCI, Mr. Fitzpatrick served from 1983 to 2009 in various senior managerial and executive appointments for Merrill Lynch, a financial management and advisory firm, including Head of Residential and Commercial Securitization, Managing Director of Commercial Real Estate Lending and Managing Director of Global Principal Investments. Mr. Fitzpatrick holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University in New York, New York.

 

Mr. Fitzpatrick’s experience in the real estate financing sector as well as knowledge regarding accounting and finance provides financial, operational and strategic expertise and guidance to the Board of Directors.

 

James H. Mullen, Jr. Dr. Mullen was appointed to the Board of Directors of Residential in December 2012.  Dr. Mullen has over 20 years of experience in leadership roles in higher education and has served as President of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania since 2008. Dr. Mullen also serves on the Board of Directors and Councils of several universities including the American Council on Education, the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Council of Independent Colleges and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Tax Policy Committee. Prior to joining Allegheny College, he served as President of Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, as Chancellor of the University of North Carolina in Asheville, North Carolina and as Senior Vice President of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Mullen holds a Master of International Affairs and Security from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts.

 

Dr. Mullen’s tax policy knowledge and prior board of directors experience provides insights to our Board of Directors, particularly in the areas of strategic planning, finance and tax matters.

 

David B. Reiner. Mr. Reiner was appointed to the Board of Directors of Residential in December 2012.  Mr. Reiner is currently a Director with Regional Real Estate Investment Corporation (“RREIC”), a registered investment advisor that manages private investment funds that make opportunistic real estate investments. Prior to joining RREIC, Mr. Reiner served as a Managing Director of Grosvenor Investment Management US Inc. (“GIM”), a real estate investment fund, from 2003 to 2011. At GIM, Mr. Reiner was responsible for the development and implementation of business strategy, capital markets activities, fund and investment development, fund-raising, fund operations and investor relations. He also was a member of the Management and Investment Committees for GIM’s Investment Funds business and served on the Capital Markets Committee of Grosvenor Fund Management Ltd.  Prior to that, Mr. Reiner was a Co-founder and Managing Director of Legg Mason Real Estate Investors, Inc., from 2000 until 2003, a specialty real estate lender that provided mezzanine and bridge loans to the commercial real estate industry.  Mr. Reiner currently serves on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Audit Committee of HLSS.  Prior to joining the HLSS Board, he served three years on the Board of Directors of Ocwen.  He was a member of both the Audit Committee and the Nomination/Governance Committee. Mr. Reiner holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina and a Juris Doctorate from George Mason University School of Law in Fairfax, Virginia. He also completed graduate work in international affairs and economics at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC.

 

Mr. Reiner’s real estate investment expertise, particularly with respect to capital market activities, investment strategies and funding operations, provides insights to the Board of Directors. In addition, his background in economics and public company audit committee experience enable him to provide guidance to the Board of Directors in overseeing financial and accounting aspects of our operations.

 

Ashish Pandey Mr. Pandey will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Residential.  He will also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of AAMC.   Mr. Pandey currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Correspondent One, an affiliate of Altisource engaged in the acquisition and secondary marketing of government loans, and he will resign from that position on the Separation Date. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Ocwen from July 2008 to August 2011 and was responsible for the oversight of asset management vehicles and capital deployment for mortgage servicing portfolio acquisitions for Ocwen. He served as

 

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Treasurer and Director of Corporate Strategy from February 2005 to July 2008 for Ocwen. From May 2002 to October 2003, Mr. Pandey served as an Associate Consultant with Tata Strategic Management Group. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering from the S.G.S. Institute of Technology and Science and a Masters of Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management.

 

Rachel M. Ridley .  Ms. Ridley serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Residential .  She will also serve as the Chief Financial Officer for AAMC.  Prior to joining AAMC, she served as Senior Manager in Assurance Services, Asset Management for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC, an accounting firm, since 2008 and various positions within PwC from 2000 to 2008.  Ms. Ridley is a Certified Public Accountant (Maryland).  She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Emory University and a Master in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.

 

Stephen H. Gray .  Mr. Gray serves as the General Counsel and Secretary of Residential. He also serves as the General Counsel and Secretary of AAMC. Prior to joining AAMC, Mr. Gray was General Counsel and Secretary of LaBranche & Co Inc., a publicly traded financial services company in New York, New York, from May 2004 to December 2011, and was a consulting attorney for The Nielsen Company, a global information and measurement company, during 2012. From June 1998 to May 2004, Mr. Gray was a corporate and securities attorney at the law firm Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. in New York, New York, specializing in, among other things, securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate reporting for public and private companies. From January 1996 to June 1998, he was a corporate and securities attorney at the law firm Brock, Silverstein & McAuliffe, LLC, in New York, New York. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Hobart College and a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Board of Directors

 

We initially intend to have a Board of Directors that consists of five directors. William C. Erbey is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Residential. Mr. Erbey is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AAMC, and he will continue to serve in his role as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Altisource, Ocwen and HLSS. Other than Mr. Erbey, no directors of Altisource will become directors of Residential. In addition to Mr. Erbey, directors of Residential will include Michael A. Eruzione, Robert J. Fitzpatrick, James H. Mullen, Jr. and David B. Reiner.

 

We expect our Board of Directors to adopt Corporate Governance Guidelines that, along with the Charters of our Board committees and our Code of Conduct for employees and directors, will provide the framework for the governance of our company.

 

Meetings of the Board of Directors

 

We anticipate that the Board of Directors will play an active role in overseeing the management of the Company and representing the interests of the shareholders.

 

Director Independence

 

We plan for our Corporate Governance Guidelines to provide that our Board of Directors must be comprised of a majority of directors who qualify as independent directors under the listing standards and timing of the NYSE and applicable law.

 

We anticipate that our Board of Directors will review annually the direct and indirect relationships that we have with each Director. Only those directors who will be determined by our Board of Directors to have no material relationship with Residential will be considered independent directors. This determination will be based in part on analysis of categorical questionnaire responses that follow the independence standards established by the NYSE and will be subject to additional qualifications prescribed under its listing standards and applicable law.

 

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Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our Board of Directors will establish an Audit Committee and a Nomination/Governance Committee. We provide a brief description of our expectations for these Committees below.

 

Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors will oversee the relationship with our independent registered certified public accounting firm, review and advise our Board of Directors with respect to reports by our independent registered certified public accounting firm, monitor our compliance with laws and regulations applicable to our operations including the evaluation of significant matters relating to the financial reporting process and our system of internal accounting controls and the review of the scope and results of the annual audit conducted by the independent registered certified public accounting firm. Each member of our Audit Committee will be independent as defined in regulations adopted by the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE.. Our Board of Directors also will appoint only financially literate members to our Audit Committee, will require that at least one of its members possess accounting or related financial management expertise within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE and will ensure that at least one of its members qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as that term is defined in SEC rules implementing requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Our Audit Committee will operate under a written charter to be approved by our Board of Directors, a copy of which will be available on our website at www.altisourceresi.com and will be available in print to any shareholder who requests it.

 

Compensation Committee . The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors will oversee our compensation in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations. Our Compensation Committee will be responsible for evaluating annually the appropriate form and amount of compensation for Board of Directors and Committee service by members of the Board of Directors. Pursuant to the AAMC Asset Management Agreement, AAMC provides us with a management team, including a Chief Executive Officer, and is responsible for the selection, compensation and performance review of such Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. As such, our Compensation Committee will not be responsible for the selection, compensation and performance review of a Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. In addition, we will not have any incentive compensation, equity-based or employee benefit plans that are subject to Board or Committee approval.

 

Each member of our Compensation Committee will be independent. Our Compensation Committee will operate under a written charter approved by our Board of Directors, a copy of which will be available on our website at www.altisourceresi.com and will be available in print to any shareholder who requests it. Our Compensation Committee will have the authority, at our expense, to retain independent counsel or other advisers as it deems necessary in connection with its responsibilities.

 

Nomination/Governance Committee.   The Nomination/Governance Committee of our Board of Directors will make recommendations to our Board of Directors of individuals qualified to serve as directors and committee members for our Board of Directors; advise our Board of Directors with respect to Board of Directors’ composition, procedures and committees; develop and present our Board of Directors with a set of corporate governance principles and oversee the evaluation of our Board of Directors. Each member of our Nomination/Governance Committee will be independent as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE. Our Nomination/Governance Committee will operate under a written charter approved by our Board of Directors, a copy of which will be available on our website at www.altisourceresi.com and will be available in print to any shareholder who requests it.

 

It will be the policy of our Nomination/Governance Committee to consider candidates for director recommended by our shareholders. In evaluating all nominees for director, our Nomination/Governance Committee will take into account the applicable requirements for directors under the Exchange Act, as amended, and the listing standards of the NYSE. In addition, our Nomination/Governance Committee will take into account our best interests as well as such factors as knowledge, experience, skills, expertise, diversity and the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the background of other members of our Board of Directors. The Nomination/Governance Committee regularly will assess the appropriate size of the Board of Directors and whether any vacancies on the Board of Directors are anticipated. Various potential candidates for director will then be identified. We anticipate that candidates may come to the attention of the Nomination/Governance Committee through current members of our Board of Directors, professional search firms, shareholders or industry sources. In evaluating the candidate, we anticipate that the Nomination/Governance Committee will consider factors other than the candidate’s qualifications including the current composition of the Board of Directors, the number of independent directors, the need for Audit Committee expertise and the evaluations of other prospective nominees. In connection with this evaluation, we anticipate that the Nomination/Governance Committee will determine whether to interview the prospective nominee, and if warranted, one or more members of the Nomination/Governance Committee, and others as appropriate, will interview prospective nominees. After completing this evaluation and interview, the Nomination/Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the full Board of Directors as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will determine the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the Nomination/Governance Committee. Should a shareholder recommend a candidate for director, our Nomination/Governance Committee would evaluate such candidate in the same manner that it evaluates any other nominee.

 

If a shareholder wants to recommend persons for consideration by our Nomination/Governance Committee as nominees for election to our Board of Directors, the shareholder will be able to do so by writing to Residential c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 402 Strand St., Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands 00840-3531. The shareholder should provide each proposed nominee’s name, biographical data and qualifications. Such

 

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recommendation also should include a written statement from the proposed nominee consenting to be named as a nominee and, if nominated and elected, to serve as a director.

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

 

The Corporate Governance Guidelines to be adopted by our Board of Directors will provide guidelines for us and our Board of Directors to ensure effective corporate governance. The Corporate Governance Guidelines will cover topics including director qualification standards, Board and committee composition, director responsibilities, director access to independent advisors, director compensation and director orientation and continuing education.

 

Our Nomination/Governance Committee will review our Corporate Governance Guidelines at least once a year and, if necessary, recommend changes to the Guidelines to our Board of Directors. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines will be available on our website at www.altisourceresi.com and will be available in print to any shareholder who requests them .

 

Communications with Directors

 

If a shareholder desires to contact our Board of Directors or any individual director regarding Residential, the shareholder may do so by mail addressed to Altisource Residential Corporation, c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation, Attention:  Corporate Secretary, 402 Strand St., Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands 00840-3531. Communications received in writing will be distributed to our Board of Directors or to individual directors, as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication received.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We will adopt a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our directors and officers. Any waivers from the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will need to be approved by our Board of Directors or a Board committee and will need to be promptly disclosed to our shareholders.  The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be available on our website at www.altisourceresi.com and will be available in print to any shareholder who requests a copy by writing to Residential c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 402 Strand St., Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands 00840-3531.  Any amendments to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC, will be posted on our website.

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION

 

Compensation

 

We will provide compensation to our directors as determined by resolution of the Altisource Board of Directors prior to the Separation.  We anticipate that any director compensation may be prorated for a director serving less than a full term as in the case of a director joining the Board of Directors after an Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Directors will be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees. Directors’ compensation will be subject to review and may be adjusted from time to time. As of the date of this information statement, we have not provided any compensation or reimbursements to our directors.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

 

Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of November 30, 2012 giving effect to the Separation Ratio for each share of Altisource common stock held by:

 

 

·

each director of Residential;

 

·

all directors of Residential as a group and

 

·

all persons known by Residential to beneficially own 5% or more of our outstanding common stock.

 

The table is based upon information supplied to us by directors, executive officers and principal shareholders of Altisource and filings under the Exchange Act, as amended.

 

Shares Beneficially Owned as of November 30, 2012(1)

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner:

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Principal Shareholders (other than directors):

 

 

 

 

 

Leon G. Cooperman(2)

 

581,900

 

7.47

%

Barry N. Wish(3)

 

422,795

 

5.43

%

Wellington Management Company, LLP(4)

 

487,198

 

6.26

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

William C. Erbey(5)

 

2,226,857

 

27.71

%

Michael A. Eruzione

 

 

%

Robert J. Fitzpatrick

 

 

%

James H. Mullen, Jr.

 

 

%

David B. Reiner

 

 

%

All Directors as a Group

 

2,226,857

 

27.71

%

 


 

(1)

For purposes of this table, an individual is considered the beneficial owner of shares of common stock if he or she directly or indirectly has, or shares, voting power or investment power as defined in the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended. Unless otherwise indicated, an individual has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to the indicated shares. No shares have been pledged as security by our directors.

 

(2)

Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 1, 2012 by Leon G. Cooperman. Includes 346,300 shares (giving effect to the Separation) as to which sole voting power is claimed and 346,300 shares (giving effect to the Separation) as to which sole dispositive power is claimed. Mr. Cooperman’s address is 2700 North Military Trail, Suite 230, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

 

(3)

Based on information contained in a Schedule 13D/A filed jointly by Barry N. Wish, Wishco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Wishco”), and Barry Wish Family Foundation, Inc., a Florida non-profit corporation (“Foundation”), with the SEC on September 14, 2012. Includes (i) 16,822 shares (giving effect to the Separation) owned by Barry N. Wish directly, (ii) 0 shares (giving effect to the Separation) owned by Foundation, which is controlled by Mr. Wish, and (iii) 405,973 shares (giving effect to the Separation) owned by Wishco, which is controlled by Mr. Wish pursuant to his ownership of 93.0% of the common stock thereto. Mr. Wish’s address is 1661 Worthington Road, Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL 33409.

 

(4)

Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012 by Wellington Management Company, LLP (“Wellington Management”). Includes 487,198 shares (giving effect to the Separation) which are held of record by clients of Wellington Management and of which Wellington Management, in its capacity as an investment adviser, may be deemed to beneficially own. Wellington Management’s address is 280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210.

 

(5)

Includes 1,376,763 shares (giving effect to the Separation) held by FF Plaza Partners, a Delaware partnership, of which the partners are William C. Erbey, his spouse, E. Elaine Erbey, and Delaware Permanent Corporation, a corporation wholly owned by William C. Erbey. Mr. and Mrs. William C. Erbey share voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares owned by FF Plaza Partners and to 606 shares (giving effect to the Separation) held jointly. Also includes 601,078 shares (giving effect to the Separation) held by Erbey Holding Corporation, a corporation wholly owned by William C. Erbey and includes options to acquire 248,242 shares (giving effect to the Separation) which are exercisable on or within 60 days after November 30, 2012 and 125 unvested restricted stock units (giving effect to the Separation). Mr. Erbey’s address is 402 Strand St., Frederiksted, VI 00840-3531.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

William C. Erbey, who is our Chairman of the Board of Directors, is currently, and is expected to remain, the Chairman of the Board of Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS and AAMC. As a result, he will have obligations to us as well as to Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS and AAMC and may have conflicts of interest with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us and Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS and AAMC. Mr. Erbey will own substantial amounts of AAMC and our common stock and options and owns substantial amounts of Altisource, Ocwen and HLSS common stock and Altisource and Ocwen stock options because of his relationships with Altisource, Ocwen and HLSS.  As of September 30, 2012, Mr. Erbey is the beneficial owner of the following:

 

Entity

 

Common
shares

 

% of
common
shares
outstanding

 

Vested
stock
options

 

Unvested
stock
options

 

Altisource

 

5,936,655

 

25.4

%

772,958

 

150,000

 

Ocwen

 

17,775,005

 

13.2

%

2,318,865

 

2,450,000

 

HLSS

 

862,388

 

2.8

%

 

 

 

As the distribution of Residential and AAMC will be on a pro rata basis, Mr. Erbey’s ownership percentage in Residential and AAMC will be the same as his ownership percentage in Altisource at the time of the Separation.  In the event that the Board of Directors determines that Mr. Erbey’s ownership percentage in Residential should be reduced in order to preserve our status as a REIT, we may seek to exchange a portion of the shares of our common stock held by Mr. Erbey for limited partnership interests in the Partnership.

 

David B. Reiner, who will serve as a director on our Board of Directors, currently serves on the Board of Directors for HLSS.  As of September 30, 2012, Mr. Reiner is the beneficial owner of the following:

 

Entity

 

Common
shares

 

% of
common
shares
outstanding

 

Vested
stock
options

 

Unvested
stock
options

 

HLSS

 

4275

 

.01

%

 

 

 

None of our other directors or officers at the time of the Separation will have any role with or relationship to Altisource, Ocwen, HLSS or AAMC.

 

In addition, see “Relationship Between Altisource and Us Following the Separation,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Other Matters,” “Business—Our Business Strategy” and “Business—Title Insurance and Reinsurance” for a description of the intercompany agreements that will exist between Altisource, AAMC, Ocwen, NewSource and us following the Separation.  We have no direct relationship with HLSS.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following summary of certain terms of the capital stock of Residential describes the material provisions of our Charter, the form of which is or will be included as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form 10. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, our Charter, Bylaws and by applicable provisions of law.

 

Authorized Capital Stock

 

Under our Charter, we are authorized to issue 300,000,000 shares of common stock, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 100,000,000 shares are classified as Class A common stock and 100,000,000 shares are classified as Class B common stock, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Based on the number of shares of Altisource common stock outstanding on [   ], 2012, approximately 7,787,700 shares of Residential common stock will be issued to shareholders of Altisource on the Separation Date although the actual number of shares of Residential common stock to be issued will be determined as of the Record Date. All of the shares of Residential common stock to be distributed to Altisource shareholders in the Separation will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Common Stock

 

Each holder of common stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters voted on by shareholders.  The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class.

 

Class A Common Stock

 

The Dividend Priority

 

In the event we decide to grow our business, we will evaluate a number of potential capital raising alternatives, including the issuance and sale of shares of Class A common stock.  Because our decision to issue equity through accessing the capital markets will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate our future capital structure.  Beginning on the date Class A common stock is first issued and ending on the third anniversary of such issuance (the “Priority Period”), holders of Class A common stock shall be entitled to receive, prior to any distribution to the holders of Class B common stock, cumulative dividends in an amount equal to $0.644 per year (the “Priority Distribution”).

 

Class B Common Stock

 

Dividends

 

Prior to the commencement of the Priority Period, holders of Class B common stock shall be entitled to receive unsubordinated dividends. During the Priority Period, after the holders of Class A common stock have received an amount equal to the Priority Distribution, the holders of Class B common stock shall be entitled to receive, prior to any further distributions to the holders of Class A common stock, cumulative dividends in an amount equal to the Priority Distribution. After the holders of Class B common stock have received an amount equal to the Priority Distribution, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock shall receive distributions on a pro rata basis.

 

Conversion

 

Upon termination of the Priority Period, the shares of Class B common stock will be converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.

 

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Preferred Stock

 

Our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may set the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of any preferred stock that we issue.  Currently, no shares of preferred stock are outstanding.

 

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer of Our Capital Stock

 

To assist us in complying with the limitations on the concentration of ownership of a REIT imposed by the Code, among other purposes, our Charter prohibits, with certain exceptions, any shareholder from beneficially or constructively owning, applying certain attribution rules under the Code, more than 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our capital stock, or 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Our Board of Directors may, at its sole discretion, subject to such conditions as it may determine and the receipt of certain representations and undertakings, waive the 9.8% ownership limit with respect to a particular shareholder, as we anticipate it will for William C. Erbey, if such ownership will not then or in the future jeopardize our qualification as a REIT, or decrease the 9.8% ownership limit if needed in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT. Our Charter also prohibits any person from, among other things, beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.

 

Our Charter provides that any ownership or purported transfer of our capital stock in violation of the foregoing restrictions will result in the shares so owned or transferred being automatically transferred to a charitable trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary, and the purported owner or transferee acquiring no rights in such shares. If a transfer of shares of our capital stock would result in our capital stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons or the transfer to a charitable trust would be ineffective for any reason to prevent a violation of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our capital stock, the transfer resulting in such violation will be void.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock immediately following the Separation will be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

Listing

 

We have been approved to list our common stock that you will receive in the Separation on the NYSE under the symbol “RESI.”

 

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

 

Set forth below is a summary of certain provisions of our Charter and Bylaws and applicable provisions of the MGCL. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, our Charter, Bylaws and applicable provisions of the MGCL.

 

Our Board of Directors

 

Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the number of directors we have may be established only by our Board of Directors but may not be fewer than the minimum required under the MGCL, which is one. Subject to the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, vacancies on our Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will hold office for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

 

At each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders will elect each of our directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. A plurality of the votes cast in the election of directors is sufficient to elect a director and holders of shares of common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote will be able to elect all of our directors at any annual meeting.

 

Removal of Directors

 

Our Charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed with or without cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the election of directors. This provision, when coupled with the exclusive power of our Board of Directors to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors, precludes shareholders from (1) removing incumbent directors except upon a substantial affirmative vote and (2) filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees.

 

Business Combinations

 

Under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of such an interested shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must generally be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting stock of the corporation and (b) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder, unless, among other conditions, the corporation’s common shareholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares. A person is not an interested shareholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a board of directors prior to the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder.

 

The business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

 

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Control Share Acquisitions

 

The MGCL provides that a holder of “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” has no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by shareholders on the matter, excluding the holders of shares of stock in a corporation in respect of which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of such shares in the election of directors: (1) a person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition, (2) an officer of the corporation or (3) an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. “Control shares” are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock owned by the acquirer, or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (A) one-tenth or more but less than one-third; (B) one-third or more but less than a majority or (C) a majority of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares that the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

 

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses and delivering an “acquiring person statement” as described in the MGCL), may compel our Board of Directors to call a Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.

 

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an “acquiring person statement” as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of shareholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

 

The control share acquisition statute does not apply to, among other things, (a) shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) acquisitions approved or exempted by the Charter or Bylaws of the corporation.

 

Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There is no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

 

Meetings of Shareholders

 

Pursuant to our Bylaws, a meeting of our shareholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business will be held annually on a date and at the time and place set by our Board of Directors. The Chairman of our Board of Directors or our Board of Directors may call a Special Meeting of our Shareholders. Subject to the provisions of our Bylaws, a Special Meeting of our Shareholders to act on any matter that may properly be brought before a meeting of our shareholders will also be called by our secretary upon the written request of the shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting on such matter and containing the information required by our Bylaws. Our secretary will inform the requesting shareholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of meeting (including our proxy materials), and the requesting shareholder must pay such estimated cost before our secretary is required to prepare and deliver the notice of the special meeting.

 

Shareholder Action by Written Consent

 

Our Charter allows for shareholder action by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting.

 

75



 

Amendment to Our Charter and Bylaws

 

Except for amendments to the provisions of our Charter relating to the removal of directors and the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares of stock, and the vote required to amend these provisions (each of which must be advised by our Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter), our Charter generally may be amended only if advised by our Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

Our Board of Directors has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

 

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

 

Our Bylaws provide that nominations of individuals for election to our Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by shareholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders  (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of our Board of Directors or (3) by any shareholder who was a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the shareholder required by our Bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business, and who has provided notice to us within the time period, and containing the information, specified by the advance notice provisions set forth in our Bylaws.

 

With respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to our Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected only (1) by or at the direction of our Board of Directors or (2) provided that the meeting has been called for the purpose of electing directors, by any shareholder who was a shareholder of record both at the time of giving the notice required by our Bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has provided notice to us within the time period, and containing the information, specified by the advance notice provisions set forth in our Bylaws.

 

Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

 

Our Charter and Bylaws and Maryland law contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders, including business combination provisions, stock ownership limitations, supermajority vote requirements and advance notice requirements for director nominations and shareholder proposals. Likewise, if the provision in the Bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were rescinded these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.

 

REIT Qualification

 

Our Charter provides that our Board of Directors may authorize us to revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our shareholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

 

76



 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

 

The following summary of material terms is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of our Charter and Bylaws.

 

Under our Charter and Bylaws, we will indemnify our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law unless it is ultimately determined by a final adjudication that such indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification.

 

We may enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors to provide for indemnification and expense advancement (except in cases where we are party to a proceeding against a director) and include related provisions meant to facilitate the indemnitee’s receipt of such benefits. We expect any such agreement to provide that we will indemnify each director against claims arising out of such director’s service to Residential except for any claim as to which the director is adjudged in a final and non-appealable judgment to have committed willful misconduct or in the case of fraud or dishonesty by the director. We also expect any such agreement to provide that expense advancement is provided subject to an undertaking by the indemnitee to repay amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

 

The Board of Directors of Residential (if a majority of directors are disinterested in the claim under which the director is seeking indemnification) or an independent counsel will determine whether an indemnification payment or expense advance should be made in any particular instance and the director seeking indemnification may challenge such determination. Indemnification and advancement of expenses generally will not be made in connection with proceedings brought by an indemnitee against Residential .

 

Residential may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or agent of Residential or is or was serving at the request of Residential as a director, officer, employee or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against or incurred by that person in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not Residential would have the power to indemnify that person against such liability under the provisions set forth in the Bylaws.

 

77



 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the common stock being distributed as contemplated by this information statement. This information statement is a part of, and does not contain all of the information set forth in, the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to Residential and our common stock, please refer to the registration statement including its exhibits and schedules. Statements made in this information statement relating to any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, at the SEC’s public reference room, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549, as well as on the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Information contained on any website referenced in this information statement is not incorporated by reference into this information statement or the registration statement of which this information statement is a part. Our website address is included in this information statement as an inactive textual reference only.

 

After the Separation, we will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, we will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our future filings will be available from the SEC as described above.

 

After the Separation, we will make available free of charge most of our future SEC filings through our website www.altisourceresi.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we file these materials with the SEC. You may also request a copy of our future SEC filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:

 

Altisource Residential Corporation

c/o Altisource Asset Management Corporation

402 Strand St.

Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands 00840-3531

Telephone: (340) 692-1055

Attention: Corporate Secretary

 

We will furnish our shareholders with annual reports containing financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited and reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent registered certified public accounting firm.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.

 

78



 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Altisource Residential, L.P.

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012

F-3

Statement of Changes in Equity for the period from June 7, 2012 (date of inception) to September 30, 2012

F-4

Statement of Cash Flows for the period from June 7, 2012 (date of inception) to September 30, 2012

F-5

Notes to Financial Statements

F-6

 

F-1



 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the General Partner of Altisource Residential, L.P.

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Altisource Residential, L.P. (a development stage partnership) (the “Partnership”) as of September 30, 2012, and the related statements of changes in equity and cash flows for the period from June 7, 2012 (date of inception) to September 30, 2012.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s general partner.   Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such financial statements referred to the above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Altisource Residential, L.P. as of September 30, 2012 and its cash flows for the period from June 7, 2012 (date of inception) to September 30, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The Partnership is in the developmental stage at September 30, 2012.  As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, successful completion of the Partnership’s development program and, ultimately, the attainment of profitable operations are dependent upon future events, including obtaining adequate capital to execute its acquisition strategy and achieving a level of revenues adequate to support the Partnership’s cost structure.

 

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

 

 

 

Atlanta, Georgia

 

November 21, 2012

 

 

F-2



 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

(A Development Stage Partnership)

BALANCE SHEET

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

 500,000

 

Total assets

 

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital contribution

 

$

 500,000

 

Total equity

 

$

 500,000

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-3



 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

(A Development Stage Partnership)

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the Period from June 7, 2012 (date of inception) to September 30, 2012  

 

 

 

Total
Equity

 

Balance, June 7, 2012

 

$

 

Capital contribution

 

500,000

 

Balance, September 30, 2012

 

$

500,000

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-4



 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

(A Development Stage Partnership)

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the Period from June 7, 2012 (date of inception) to September 30, 2012

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

Proceeds from capital contribution

 

$

500,000

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

$

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash

 

500,000

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at the beginning of the period

 

 

Cash at the end of the period

 

$

500,000

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F-5



 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

(A Development Stage Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.                     ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Organization and Separation from Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A.

On April 26, 2012, the Board of Directors of Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A. (“Altisource”) authorized management to pursue a separation of its development stage single-family rental assets business. In contemplation thereof, Altisource formed Altisource Residential, L.P. (the “Partnership”) on June 7, 2012 which will serve as the operating partnership that will acquire and hold the assets on behalf of Residential (defined below). The Partnership is in the development stage and has not commenced operations. Altisource Portfolio Solutions, Inc. (“APSI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Altisource, is the Partnership’s sole limited partner. Altisource Residential GP, LLC (“GP”), a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of the Partnership.  GP and APSI have a 1% and 99% partnership interest, respectively, in the Partnership. On October 1, 2012, Altisource Residential GP Member, LLC assigned the ownership of Altisource Residential GP, LLC, the general partner of Altisource Residential, L.P., to Residential.  Altisource Residential GP, LLC has assets of $1, no liabilities and no operations.

 

Altisource intends to distribute their shares of Altisource Residential Corporation (“Residential”) to Altisource’s shareholders in the form of a dividend, and create a separate public company (the “Separation”).  Residential, formed on July 19, 2012, has no assets or liabilities, has not commenced operations, and will conduct its operations through the Partnership beginning immediately after the Separation.  In conjunction with the Separation, Altisource will also contribute the limited partner interest in the Partnership to Residential. The Separation is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, necessary regulatory approvals and final approval by Altisource’s Board of Directors.

 

The Partnership’s activities will be externally managed by Altisource Asset Management Corporation (“AAMC” or “the Manager”), a newly-formed development stage company incorporated in the United States Virgin Islands, established to provide asset management and corporate governance services (the “Services”) to the us and the Partnership, pursuant to a 15-year a sset management agreement (the “AAMC Asset Management Agreement”) .

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in these notes to the audited Financial Statements to “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” refer to Altisource Residential, L.P. References in these notes to the audited financial statements to “Altisource” or “parent” refers to Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A., a Luxembourg société anonyme, and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than the Partnership), unless the context otherwise requires.

 

Our Business

We are organized as a Maryland corporation and intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We were formed on July 19, 2012 by Altisource to acquire and own single-family rental assets.  Our sourcing strategy to obtain rental assets includes acquiring sub-performing and non-performing loans as well as single-family homes acquired at or following the foreclosure sale.

 

The Company has not commenced operations and does not intend to do so until immediately after the Separation. When it does commence operations, it will primarily operate in the property acquisition and management services industry and has no other reportable segments.

 

Basis of presentation

Subsequent to the Separation, we will immediately commence operations and begin to incur costs as a result of becoming a subsidiary of an independent publicly traded company. Accordingly, these financial statements are not indicative of our future performance and do not reflect what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had we commenced our business and operated as an independent, publicly traded company during the period from June 7, 2012 (date of inception) to September 30, 2012.

 

2.                     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our significant accounting policies are summarized below.

 

Basis of accounting

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

 

F-6



 

ALTISOURCE RESIDENTIAL, L.P.

(A Development Stage Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash

Cash includes demand deposits with financial institutions.

 

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of financial instruments, which primarily include cash, are carried at amounts that approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these amounts.

 

Commitments and contingencies

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. We are not aware of any litigation or other contingencies that would have an adverse impact on our financial statements.

 

3.                     SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

There have been no subsequent events requiring disclosure through November 21, 2012; the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

 

F-7