First Department Affirms Dismissal of Ambac’s Contract Claims Against EMC

On October 16, the Appellate Division, First Department of the Supreme Court of New York affirmed the dismissal of Ambac Assurance Corporation’s breach of contract claims against EMC Mortgage arising out of an RMBS transaction that Ambac insured.  The court held that Ambac, as a third-party beneficiary to the pooling and servicing agreement for the transaction, lacked standing to enforce the repurchase protocol set forth in the PSA, which is the sole available remedy for alleged breaches of representations and warranties related to mortgage loans in the transaction.  Instead, the PSA provides the trustee the exclusive right to enforce the repurchase protocol.  Opinion.