Carpenter v. Federal Deposit Insurance (In Re Carpenter)

205 B.R. 600, 97 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 2449, 1997 Bankr. LEXIS 547, 30 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 488, 1997 WL 87383
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit
DecidedFebruary 14, 1997
DocketBAP No. CC-96-1162-OHV, Bankruptcy No. LA-95-24756 BR, Adv. No. 95-03171 BR
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 205 B.R. 600 (Carpenter v. Federal Deposit Insurance (In Re Carpenter)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Carpenter v. Federal Deposit Insurance (In Re Carpenter), 205 B.R. 600, 97 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 2449, 1997 Bankr. LEXIS 547, 30 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 488, 1997 WL 87383 (bap9 1997).

Opinion

OPINION

OLLASON, Bankruptcy Judge:

Shirley Jean Carpenter (“Debtor”) appeals the bankruptcy court’s order dismissing her adversary proceeding with prejudice for fail *602 ure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Debtor asserted state law and federal common law defenses against her guaranty which was enforced by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) in its capacity as receiver for an insolvent bank. The bankruptcy court determined inter alia, that her claims were barred by the D’Oench, Duhme doctrine and FIRREA. 1 We Affirm.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Debtor’s husband, Howard, was president of a business known as Brake Meir Truckload, Inc., and the Carpenters were joint owners of their real property residence located in Glendale, California. On December 4, 1989, Howard, on behalf of Brake Meir, entered into a written contract for a business loan of $500,000 with Mechanic’s Bank (“bank”). The bank was a lender in the Preferred Lender Program (“PLP”) and the authorized agent of the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Under “collateral” the loan agreement listed the residence, the business real property and business assets. Under “covenants,” the loan agreement required Brake Meir to “maintain a life insurance policy on the life of Howard & Shirley Carpenter in the amount of $500,000.00 throughout the course of the loan and assign to [the bank] an absolute collateral assignment of that policy.” On January 18, 1990, Howard and the bank executed the Authorization and Loan Agreement (“authorization agreement”), which listed under “collateral” the life insurance policy assignment.

On January 18, 1990, the Carpenters executed individual guaranties, which stated that they were secured by a second lien on the property; the Carpenters also executed a deed of trust on the property. Debtor’s guaranty recited that the indebtedness was unconditionally guaranteed. It also stated that the bank could, without the guarantor’s consent, deal in any manner, including a forbearance, with respect to property pledged, mortgaged or assigned to secure the note. The loan and authorization agreements did not require Debtor to sign a guaranty. The guaranty and deed of trust were the only documents signed by Debtor.

On January 19, 1990, Howard, on behalf of Brake Meir, wrote a letter to the bank asking that it waive the life insurance policy assignment requirement because he was unable to obtain insurance. The bank wrote to the SBA on February 6, 1990, requesting a waiver of the provision. On February 13, 1990, the SBA stamped the letter stating that “SBA concurrence not required. Credit decision PLP loan.” 2 Without further notice to or obtaining Debtor’s consent, the bank waived the assignment and disbursed the loan in February, 1990, to Brake Meir.

It was undisputed that the agreement to waive the life insurance policy assignment was not; (1) in writing; (2) approved by the board of directors of the bank or its loan committee; (3) reflected in the minutes of the bank’s board of directors or loan committee; or (4) maintained as an official record of the bank. 3

Brake Meir failed to pay on the note. The bank recorded a Notice of Default and Election to Sell Under Deed of Trust on January 22, 1991. A Notice of Trustee’s Sale was recorded on July 10,1991.

Howard died on June 14, 1991. The bank filed a claim for loans to Brake Meir against Howard’s probate estate. The claim was allowed for $499,957, but was not paid.

On January 13, 1994, a foreclosure sale of the residence was conducted under the sale provisions of the trust deed. The bank purchased the property by a credit bid of approximately $220,000. The trustee’s deed was recorded on January 24,1994.

On April 1, 1994, the bank was declared insolvent. The FDIC was appointed receiver of the bank and succeeded to all its rights, titles, powers and privileges. See 12 U.S.C. *603 § 1821(d)(2)(A)©. On April 11, 1994, the FDIC, as receiver, transferred legal title to the property to the SBA by quitclaim deed, but retained a 15% ownership interest. 4 The SBA did not record the deed until March 31, 1995.

On July 15, 1994, Debtor filed a claim with the FDIC for cancellation of the trustee’s deed and the foreclosure sale. The FDIC did not formally deny her claim until August 28,1995. 5

Facing liability under the note pursuant to her guaranty, and evicted from her former residence, 6 Debtor filed a chapter 13 7 bankruptcy petition on June 12,1995. The FDIC and SBA are creditors of Debtor’s bankruptcy estate, holding liens on other estate property in connection with the same loan debt. 8 The SBA also filed a proof of claim for monies owed by Debtor for her occupancy of the property. 9

Debtor filed her original complaint on August 2, 1995. In her first amended complaint, filed on September 14, 1995, she sought, inter alia, a declaration from the court that the guaranty, the trust deed, the trustee’s deed and quitclaim deed were void, and to quiet title against the SBA. Debtor asserted surety defenses, claiming that she was exonerated under the guaranty. Since the proceeds from the life insurance policy would have satisfied the loan debt, the waiver of the life insurance collateral impaired the security for the loan, she alleged. Debtor contended that her consent was necessary to waive the provision, but that she neither received notice of the waiver nor consented to it.

In September of 1995, the FDIC moved to dismiss the complaint as raising claims barred by 12 U.S.C. § 1823(e) and the D’Oench, Duhme doctrine, among other arguments. The SBA joined. Following a hearing, the bankruptcy court entered an order granting the motion to dismiss on December 14,1995, as well as its findings of fact and conclusions of law. The bankruptcy court concluded, inter alia, that the claims against the FDIC were barred by the D’Oench, Duhme doctrine and 12 U.S.C. § 1823(e). Debtor’s motion for reconsideration was denied and she timely appealed the underlying judgment only.

ISSUES

1. Whether the bankruptcy court lacked subject matter jurisdiction.

2. Whether Debtor’s claims are barred by FIRREA. 10

STANDARD OF REVIEW

An objection to subject matter jurisdiction may be raised at any time by any party or the court. Intercontinental Travel

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205 B.R. 600, 97 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 2449, 1997 Bankr. LEXIS 547, 30 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 488, 1997 WL 87383, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/carpenter-v-federal-deposit-insurance-in-re-carpenter-bap9-1997.