BIC Financial Services, Inc. v. Green (In re Green)

33 B.R. 236, 1983 Bankr. LEXIS 5460
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, D. Oregon
DecidedSeptember 9, 1983
DocketBankruptcy No. 382-04053; Adv. Nos. 83-0581, 83-0608
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 33 B.R. 236 (BIC Financial Services, Inc. v. Green (In re Green)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, D. Oregon primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
BIC Financial Services, Inc. v. Green (In re Green), 33 B.R. 236, 1983 Bankr. LEXIS 5460 (Or. 1983).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

HENRY L. HESS, Jr., Bankruptcy Judge.

This matter came before the court upon the complaint of BIC Financial Services, Inc. (“BIC”) requesting relief from the automatic stay and the complaint of the debtors objecting to BIC’s secured claim. Pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, both adversary proceedings were consolidated for trial on June 17, 1983.

The facts of the proceedings are as follows: On February 12, 1981, the debtors executed and delivered a promissory note to BIC in the amount of $19,231.69 plus interest of 19% per annum. On the same date, the debtors granted BIC a security interest in real property located at 10555 SE Sweet-gum Way, Portland, Oregon, to secure the note. As a part of the transaction, BIC gave the debtors notice of their right to rescind the transaction and the debtors acknowledged receipt of the notice.

On December 16,1982, the debtors filed a voluntary petition under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. On April 5, 1983, the debtors sent to BIC a notice of rescission of the February 12,1981 loan transaction. On April 13,1983, BIC responded by sending a letter which stated that the release of the debtors’ security agreement would be conditioned upon return of the proceeds of the loan.

The debtors’ first amended plan was filed on April 12, 1983. It does not treat BIC as a secured creditor and it provides for a 20% composition to unsecured creditors. On May 17, 1983, BIC filed an objection to the debtors’ proposed plan on the grounds that it should be treated as a secured creditor rather than as an unsecured creditor. Subsequently, the two complaints which brought this dispute before the court, the relief from stay action filed by BIC and the objection to claim filed by the debtors, were filed. A hearing on confirmation of the debtors’ plan was adjourned until after the court rules on the present matter.

The debtors contend that BIC failed to provide them with a notice of rescission in accordance with the requirements of the Truth-in-Lending Act, (“Act”) 15 U.S.C. § 1635, and the regulations implementing the Act, Federal Reserve Board Regulation Z, 12 CFR 226.9(b). Thus, they argue that they were entitled under the provisions of the Act to exercise their right to rescind the February 12, 1981 loan transaction. The debtors contend that upon exercise of their rescission rights, BIC lost its security interest in the subject property. They further assert a right to civil penalties under 15 U.S.C. § 1640 based on: (1) the allegedly improper form of the notice of rescission; and (2) BIC’s subsequent unwillingness to void their security interest.

It is BIC’s position that the notice of rescission it provided to the debtors does comply with the requirements of the Act and the regulations implementing the Act. BIC contends that even if the court holds that the notice of rescission is inadequate, the debtors’ rescission of the loan transaction was properly conditioned upon their repayment of the amount of the loan to BIC. BIC further contends that the debtors have no right to civil penalties both because the claim is barred by the statute of limitations and because BIC was entitled to condition rescission on repayment.

The issues before the court are: (1) whether the notice of rescission given by BIC to the debtors complies with the requirements of the Act and its implementing regulations; and (2) if the notice of rescission does not so comply, (a) whether the debtors’ rescission of the transaction may be conditioned upon return of the consideration received; and (b) whether the debtors are entitled to civil penalties.

At the trial the parties agreed that the burden is on the debtors to establish that the notice of rescission did not comply with the Act and implementing regulations. See Fort v. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co., 526 [238]*238F.Supp. 22 (DCNC 1981), aff’d, 673 F.2d 1309 (4th Cir.1981).

It is clear that on the date of the transaction, February 12, 1981, BIC was required under the Act and Federal Reserve Board Regulation Z to furnish the debtors with a notice of rescission as set forth in 12 CFR 226.9(b):

“Notice to customer required by Federal law: You have entered into a transaction on (date) which may result in a lien, mortgage, or other security interest on your home. You have a legal right under Federal law to cancel this transaction, if you desire to do so, without any penalty or obligation within three business days from the above date or any later date on which all material disclosures required under the Truth-in-Lending Act have been given to you. If you so cancel the transaction, any lien, mortgage, or other security interest on your home arising from this transaction is automatically void. You are also entitled to receive a refund of any down-payment or other consideration if you cancel. If you decide to cancel this transaction, you may do so by notifying (Name of creditor) at (Address of creditor’s place of business) by mail or telegram sent not later than midnight of (date). You may also use any other form of written notice identifying the transaction if it is delivered to the above address not later than that time. This notice may be used for that purpose by dating and signing below.
I hereby cancel this transaction.
(date! (customer’s signature!”

Section 226.9(b) further requires that the creditor furnish the Consumer with two copies of this notice.

The notice provided by BIC to the debtors was as follows:

“Notice To Customer Required By Federal Law: You have entered into a transaction on the date of loan shown above which may result in a lien, mortgage, or other security interest on your home. You have a legal right under federal law to cancel this transaction, if you desire to do so, without any penalty or obligation within three business days from the above date or any later date on which all material disclosures required under the Truth in Lending Act have been given to you. If you so cancel the transaction, any lien, mortgage, or other security interest on your home arising from this transaction is automatically void. You are also entitled to receive a refund of any down-payment or other consideration if you cancel. If you decide to cancel this transaction, you may do so by notifying the Lender whose name and address appears above by mail or by telegram sent not later than midnight of the above stated rescission date. You may also use any other form of written notice identifying the transaction if it is delivered to the above address not later than that time. This notice may be used for that purpose by dating and signing below.
I hereby cancel this transaction.
(date) (customer’s sismatureV’

The text of the notice given by BIC did not contain its name and address, the date of the transaction or the date when the rescission period ended.

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Bluebook (online)
33 B.R. 236, 1983 Bankr. LEXIS 5460, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bic-financial-services-inc-v-green-in-re-green-orb-1983.