<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE> </TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#ffffff" style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>

<div style='width:600;'>



<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><b><font size=2>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 29, 2006</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:right;'><b><font size=2>Registration No. 333-</font></b><u><b><font size=2>_________</font></b></u></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
<HR size=3 width="100%" noshade color=black align=left>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=5>UNITED STATES</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=5>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Washington, D.C. 20549 </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
<HR size=1 width="17%" noshade color=black align=center>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=5>FORM S-8 </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=5>REGISTRATION STATEMENT </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><i><b><font size=2>Under </font></b></i></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=5>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=5>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
<HR size=1 width="17%" noshade color=black align=center>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=6>NovaStar Financial, Inc. </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=1>(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter) </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=center>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" >
    <tr >
        <td width="282" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="17" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="282" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>MARYLAND</font></B></p> </td>
        <td width="17" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><b><font size=2>74-2830661</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="282" valign=top >
            <p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>(State or other jurisdiction of</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>incorporation or organization)</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="17" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top >
            <p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>(I.R.S. Employer</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>I.D. Number)</font></b></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>8140 Ward Parkway, Suite 300 </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Kansas City, MO 64114 </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>(816) 237-7000 </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=1>(Address of Principal Executive, offices, including zip code) </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
<HR size=1 width="17%" noshade color=black align=center>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>NovaStar Financial, Inc.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>401(k) Plan</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=1>(Full title of the Plan) </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
<HR size=1 width="17%" noshade color=black align=center>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Scott F. Hartman </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>NovaStar Financial, Inc. </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>8140 Ward Parkway, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114, (816) 237-7000 </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=1>(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Agent for Service) </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'>
<HR size=1 width="17%" noshade color=black align=center>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><I><B><font SIZE=2>PLEASE SEND COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO: </font></B></I></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Kirstin Pace Salzman, Esq.</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>4801 Main Street Suit 1000</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>Kansas City, Missouri 64112</font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><b><font size=2>(983) 983-8000 </font></b></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<HR noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE </font></B></p>


<div align=center>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" >
    <tr >
        <td width="228" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="12" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="60" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="46" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="56" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="75" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="66" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td  colspan="10" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'>
<HR size=3 width="100%" noshade color=black align=center>  </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt'>
            <p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Title of securities to be registered</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="12" valign=bottom style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; '>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="60" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt'>
            <p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Amount</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>to be</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Registered</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="46" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="56" nowrap valign=bottom style=' border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; '>
            <p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Proposed</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center;text-indent:2.25pt'><b><font size=1>Maximum</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Offering</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Price</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Per Share</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="75" nowrap valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt'>
            <p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Proposed</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Maximum</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Aggregate</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Offering Price</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="12" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=bottom style=' border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; '>
            <p align=center style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Amount of</font></b></p>
<p align=center style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.75pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:center'><b><font size=1>Registration Fee</font></b></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;margin-left: 12.25pt;text-indent:-12.25pt'><font size=1>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</font></p> </td>
        <td width="12" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="60" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:6.0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:3.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>275,000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;shares</font></p> </td>
        <td width="46" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>(1)&nbsp;(2)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="56" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:10.5pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>$29.95</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>(3)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="75" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:10.5pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>$8,236,250</font></p> </td>
        <td width="12" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:10.5pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>$882</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom: solid black 2.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="12" valign=bottom style='border-bottom:solid black 2.25pt; '>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="60" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 2.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="46" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 2.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="56" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 2.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="18" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 2.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="75" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 2.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="12" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 2.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" valign=bottom style=' border-bottom:solid black 2.25pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr>
        <td width="228" ></td>

        <td width="12" ></td>

        <td width="60" ></td>

        <td width="46" ></td>

        <td width="56" ></td>

        <td width="18" ></td>

        <td width="75" ></td>

        <td width="12" ></td>

        <td width="5" ></td>

        <td width="66" ></td> </tr> </table>
            </div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="23" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="553" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:18.7pt;text-indent:-18.7pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional securities that may be offered as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:18.7pt;text-indent:-18.7pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:18.7pt;text-indent:-18.7pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan described herein.</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:18.7pt;text-indent:-18.7pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font
size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:18.7pt;text-indent:-18.7pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In accordance with Rule 457, calculated based on the average of the high and low prices for the Common Stock reported in the consolidated reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange on November 27, 2006. </font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="23" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="553" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:18.7pt;text-indent:-18.7pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font>
<HR size=3 width="100%" noshade color=black align=left>


<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<HR noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>PART I</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The information required by Part I is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;) and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.  The document(s) containing the information about the NovaStar Financial, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) required by Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to each participant as specified by Rule 428(b) (1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;).  These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>PART II </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="52" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>ITEM</font></B><font size=2>&nbsp;</font><b><font size=2>3.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="524" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE </font></B></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The following documents filed with the SEC by NovaStar Financial, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) are incorporated in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 by reference:</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:5pt; margin-top:5pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&#149;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (except for Items 6, 7, and 8, which have been updated in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September&nbsp;1,&nbsp;2006);</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:5pt; margin-top:5pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&#149;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Company&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2006, June&nbsp;30,&nbsp;2006 and September 30, 2006;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:5pt; margin-top:5pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&#149;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;all other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2005</font><b><font size=2>,</font></b><font size=2> except for information furnished under Current Reports on Form 8-K, which is not deemed filed and not incorporated herein by reference; </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:5pt; margin-top:5pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&#149;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the description of the Company&#146;s common stock included in our registration statements on Form 8-A, and any further amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:5pt; margin-top:5pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&#149;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Annual Report on Form 11-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005</font><b><font size=2> </font></b><font size=2>for the NovaStar Financial, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;).</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or which deregisters all of the securities offered then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="52" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>ITEM</font></B><font size=2>&nbsp;</font><b><font size=2>4.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="524" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES </font></B></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Not applicable.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="52" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>ITEM</font></B><font size=2>&nbsp;</font><b><font size=2>5.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="524" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL </font></B></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>None. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>i</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<HR noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="52" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>ITEM</font></B><font size=2>&nbsp;</font><b><font size=2>6.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="524" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS </font></B></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The Maryland General Corporation Law (&#147;MGCL&#148;) permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a)&nbsp;actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b)&nbsp;active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The charter of the registrant contains such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The charter of the registrant requires it, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to our present and former directors and officers, whether serving us or any other entity at our request, from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity. The bylaws of the registrant establish certain procedures for indemnification and advancement of expenses pursuant to Maryland law and the registrant&#146;s charter. The charter and bylaws also permit the registrant to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the registrant in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of the registrant or a predecessor of the registrant. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The MGCL requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the registrant&#146;s charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a)&nbsp;the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i)&nbsp;was committed in bad faith or
(ii)&nbsp;was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b)&nbsp;the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (c)&nbsp;in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation&#146;s receipt of (x)&nbsp;a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (y)&nbsp;a written undertaking by him
or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and officers. Under the indemnification agreements, the registrant will indemnify each indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law for liabilities and expenses arising out of the indemnitee&#146;s service to the registrant or other entity for which such indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the registrant. The indemnification agreements also provide (a)&nbsp;for the advancement of expenses by the registrant, subject to certain conditions, (b)&nbsp;a procedure for determining an indemnitee&#146;s entitlement to indemnification and (c)&nbsp;for certain remedies for the indemnitee. In addition, the indemnification agreements require the registrant to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain directors and officers liability insurance on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the
registrant&#146;s board of directors. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The registrant maintains insurance for its directors and officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, under insurance policies, the premiums of which are paid by the registrant. The effect of these insurance policies is to indemnify any directors or officers of the registrant against expenses, judgments, attorneys&#146; fees and other amounts paid in settlements incurred by a director or officer upon a determination that such person acted in accordance with the requirements of such insurance policy. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>ii</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<HR noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="52" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>ITEM</font></B><font size=2>&nbsp;</font><b><font size=2>7.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="524" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED </font></B></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Not applicable. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="52" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>ITEM</font></B><font size=2>&nbsp;</font><b><font size=2>8.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="524" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>EXHIBITS </font></B></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>A list of exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is set forth on the Exhibit Index appearing at the end of Part II.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>The Company hereby undertakes that, to the extent required, it has submitted or will submit the Plan and any amendment thereto to the Internal Revenue Services (&#147;IRS&#148;) in a timely manner and has made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify the Plan.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="52" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>ITEM</font></B><font size=2>&nbsp;</font><b><font size=2>9.</font></b></p> </td>
        <td width="524" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>UNDERTAKINGS </font></B></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement; and </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Statement;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><i><font size=2>provided, however</font></i><font size=2>, that clauses (a) (1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(2) That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="36" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(b)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. </font></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.38in; text-indent:-0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="36" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>(c)</font></p> </td>
        <td  valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the </font></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>iii</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<HR noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-left:0.38in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>iv</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<HR noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>SIGNATURES </font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.34in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Kansas City, County of Jackson, State of Missouri, on November 29, 2006.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=center>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="282" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="40" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td colspan="2" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC.</font></B></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="282" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="40" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td colspan="2" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="282" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'>  </p> </td>
        <td width="40" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="23" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>By:&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="230" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; '>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><br> <font size=2>&nbsp; /s/ Scott F. Hartman</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="282" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="40" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="23" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="230" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><i><font size=2>Scott F. Hartman</font></i></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><i><font size=2>Chairman of the Board and</font></i></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><i><font size=2>Chief Executive Officer</font></i></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><B><font SIZE=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></B></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.5in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Each of the undersigned directors and/or officers of NovaStar Financial, Inc., do hereby constitute and appoint Scott F. Hartman, W. Lance Anderson, Gregory S. Metz, Jeffrey D. Ayers and Todd M. Phillips, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution to act for him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a director and/or officer of NovaStar Financial, Inc., to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments) and other documents in connection with this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.57in;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="638" style='margin-left:0in;border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Signature</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Position</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Date</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>/s/ Scott F. Hartman</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>November 29, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Scott F. Hartman</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>/s/ W. Lance Anderson</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>President, Chief Operating Officer and Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>November 29, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>W. Lance Anderson</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>/s/ Gregory S. Metz</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>November 29, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Gregory S. Metz</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>/s/ Todd M. Phillips</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Vice President, Controller and Treasurer (Principal Accounting Officer)</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>November 29, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Todd M. Phillips</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>v</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<HR noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=left>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="638" style='margin-left:0in;border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>/s/ Gregory T. Barmore</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>November 29, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt;  padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Gregory T. Barmore</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>/s/ Edward W. Mehrer</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>November 29, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Edward W. Mehrer</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>/s/ Art N. Burtscher</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:1.0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>November 29, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Art N. Burtscher</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>/s/ Donald M. Berman</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Director</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>November 29, 2006</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="228" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Donald M. Berman</font></p> </td>
        <td width="276" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="134" valign=top style='padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt; text-indent:0.56in;text-align:left;'><font size=2>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Kansas City, County of Jackson, State of Missouri, on November 29, 2006.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=center>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" style='border-collapse:collapse'>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="282" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="40" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td colspan="2" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><B><font SIZE=2>NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC. 401(K) PLAN</font></B></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="282" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="40" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td colspan="2" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="282" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'>  </p> </td>
        <td width="40" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="23" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>By:&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="230" valign=bottom style='border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; '>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><br> <font size=2>&nbsp; /s/ Gregory S. Metz</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='page-break-inside:avoid'>
        <td width="282" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="40" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="23" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="230" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Gregory S. Metz, on behalf of the</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Retirement Benefits Committee of the</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Board of Directors of NovaStar Financial, Inc.</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font size=2>vi</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<HR noshade align="center" width="100%" size="2">
<p style='page-break-before:always'></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->


<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:center;'><font SIZE=2>EXHIBIT INDEX </font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align=center>

<table border="0" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="576" >
    <tr >
        <td width="37" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="22" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="517" >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="37" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Exhibit</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td>
        <td width="22" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="517" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><u><b><font size=2>Description</font></b></u><u></u></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:6.0pt'>
        <td width="37" style='height:6.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" style=' height:6.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="37" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>4.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="22" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="517" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by the Registrant on July 19, 2005 (File No. 333-126699))</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="37" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>4.2</font></p> </td>
        <td width="22" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="517" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on July 6, 1998 (File No. 001-13533))</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="37" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>4.3</font></p> </td>
        <td width="22" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="517" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, adopted July 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 3.3.1 to Form 10-Q filed by the Registrant on August 5, 2005 (File No. 001-13533))</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="37" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>4.4</font></p> </td>
        <td width="22" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="517" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-Q filed by the Registrant on August 5, 2005 (File No. 001-13533))</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="37" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>23.2</font></p> </td>
        <td width="22" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="517" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Consent of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr style='height:6.0pt'>
        <td width="37" style='height:6.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td  colspan="2" style=' height:6.0pt'>
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr>
    <tr >
        <td width="37" valign=top >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>24.1</font></p> </td>
        <td width="22" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:0pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></p> </td>
        <td width="517" valign=bottom >
            <p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=2>Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)</font></p>
<p style='margin-left:6.15pt;text-indent:0pt;text-align:left;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt'><font size=1>&nbsp;</font></p> </td> </tr></table>
</div>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;* Filed herewith.</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>
<!-- EEDocs PBStart-->
<!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->

<p style=' margin-bottom:0pt; margin-top:0pt;text-align:left;'><font size=2>&nbsp;</font></p>


</div>
</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "forms8401k_112906.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 83785}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NOVASTAR FINANCIAL INC", "cik": "0001025953", "assigned-sic": "6798", "irs-number": "742830661", "state-of-incorporation": "MD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-138998", "film-number": "061245711"}, "business-address": {"street1": "8140 WARD PARKWAY", "street2": "STE 300", "city": "KANSAS CITY", "state": "MO", "zip": "64114", "phone": "8162377000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "8140 WARD PARKWAY", "street2": "STE 300", "city": "KANSAS CITY", "state": "MO", "zip": "64114"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 29, 2006
Registration No. 333-
_________
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MARYLAND
74-2830661
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
I.D. Number)
8140 Ward Parkway, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 237-7000
(Address of Principal Executive, offices, including zip code)
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
401(k) Plan
(Full title of the Plan)
Scott F. Hartman
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
NovaStar Financial, Inc.
8140 Ward Parkway, Suite 300, Kansas City, MO 64114, (816) 237-7000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Agent for Service)
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:
Kirstin Pace Salzman, Esq.
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin
4801 Main Street Suit 1000
Kansas City, Missouri 64112
(983) 983-8000
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities to be registered
Amount
to be
Registered
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
Per Share
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
275,000     shares
(1) (2)
$29.95
(3)
$8,236,250
$882
(1)   Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate number of additional securities that may be offered as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)   Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan described herein.
(3)   In accordance with Rule 457, calculated based on the average of the high and low prices for the Common Stock reported in the consolidated reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange on November 27, 2006.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
The information required by Part I is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.  The document(s) containing the information about the NovaStar Financial, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the "Plan") required by Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to each participant as specified by Rule 428(b) (1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM
3.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed with the SEC by NovaStar Financial, Inc. (the "Company") are incorporated in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 by reference:
•    the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 (except for Items 6, 7, and 8, which have been updated in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 1, 2006);
•    the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006;
•    all other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2005
,
except for information furnished under Current Reports on Form 8-K, which is not deemed filed and not incorporated herein by reference;
•    the description of the Company's common stock included in our registration statements on Form 8-A, and any further amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and
•    Annual Report on Form 11-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
for the NovaStar Financial, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the "Plan").
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold or which deregisters all of the securities offered then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
ITEM
4.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM
5.
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
None.
i
ITEM
6.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Maryland General Corporation Law ("MGCL") permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The charter of the registrant contains such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The charter of the registrant requires it, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to our present and former directors and officers, whether serving us or any other entity at our request, from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity. The bylaws of the registrant establish certain procedures for indemnification and advancement of expenses pursuant to Maryland law and the registrant's charter. The charter and bylaws also permit the registrant to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of the registrant in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of the registrant or a predecessor of the registrant.
The MGCL requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the registrant's charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or
(ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of (x) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (y) a written undertaking by him
or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
The registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and officers. Under the indemnification agreements, the registrant will indemnify each indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law for liabilities and expenses arising out of the indemnitee's service to the registrant or other entity for which such indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the registrant. The indemnification agreements also provide (a) for the advancement of expenses by the registrant, subject to certain conditions, (b) a procedure for determining an indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification and (c) for certain remedies for the indemnitee. In addition, the indemnification agreements require the registrant to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain directors and officers liability insurance on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the
registrant's board of directors.
The registrant maintains insurance for its directors and officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, under insurance policies, the premiums of which are paid by the registrant. The effect of these insurance policies is to indemnify any directors or officers of the registrant against expenses, judgments, attorneys' fees and other amounts paid in settlements incurred by a director or officer upon a determination that such person acted in accordance with the requirements of such insurance policy.
ii
ITEM
7.
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED
Not applicable.
ITEM
8.
EXHIBITS
A list of exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is set forth on the Exhibit Index appearing at the end of Part II.
The Company hereby undertakes that, to the extent required, it has submitted or will submit the Plan and any amendment thereto to the Internal Revenue Services ("IRS") in a timely manner and has made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify the Plan.
ITEM
9.
UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration
Statement;
provided, however
, that clauses (a) (1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.
(2) That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the
iii
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
iv
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Kansas City, County of Jackson, State of Missouri, on November 29, 2006.
NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC.
By:
/s/ Scott F. Hartman
Scott F. Hartman
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned directors and/or officers of NovaStar Financial, Inc., do hereby constitute and appoint Scott F. Hartman, W. Lance Anderson, Gregory S. Metz, Jeffrey D. Ayers and Todd M. Phillips, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution to act for him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a director and/or officer of NovaStar Financial, Inc., to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments) and other documents in connection with this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Position
Date
/s/ Scott F. Hartman
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
November 29, 2006
Scott F. Hartman
/s/ W. Lance Anderson
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
November 29, 2006
W. Lance Anderson
/s/ Gregory S. Metz
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
November 29, 2006
Gregory S. Metz
/s/ Todd M. Phillips
Vice President, Controller and Treasurer (Principal Accounting Officer)
November 29, 2006
Todd M. Phillips
v
/s/ Gregory T. Barmore
Director
November 29, 2006
Gregory T. Barmore
/s/ Edward W. Mehrer
Director
November 29, 2006
Edward W. Mehrer
/s/ Art N. Burtscher
Director
November 29, 2006
Art N. Burtscher
/s/ Donald M. Berman
Director
November 29, 2006
Donald M. Berman
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Kansas City, County of Jackson, State of Missouri, on November 29, 2006.
NOVASTAR FINANCIAL, INC. 401(K) PLAN
By:
/s/ Gregory S. Metz
Gregory S. Metz, on behalf of the
Retirement Benefits Committee of the
Board of Directors of NovaStar Financial, Inc.
vi
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Description
4.1
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by the Registrant on July 19, 2005 (File No. 333-126699))
4.2
Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on July 6, 1998 (File No. 001-13533))
4.3
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, adopted July 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 3.3.1 to Form 10-Q filed by the Registrant on August 5, 2005 (File No. 001-13533))
4.4
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-Q filed by the Registrant on August 5, 2005 (File No. 001-13533))
23.2
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*
24.1
Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)
* Filed herewith.