An aqueous composition that includes a) aqueous hydroxy functional, carboxy functional polymer including the reaction product of at least 5% by weight .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated hydroxy monomer, at least 30% by weight ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, from 0% by weight to less than 50% by weight .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated nonhydroxy functional, noncarboxy functional monomer, and chain transfer agent, and b) condensation accelerator, and articles that include a nonwoven web including glass fibers, and cured aqueous binder composition.