Dantzler, Inc. v. PNC Bank, National Ass'n

946 F. Supp. 2d 1344, 2013 WL 2182234, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71053
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Florida
DecidedMay 20, 2013
DocketCase No. 11-24653-CIV
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 946 F. Supp. 2d 1344 (Dantzler, Inc. v. PNC Bank, National Ass'n) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Dantzler, Inc. v. PNC Bank, National Ass'n, 946 F. Supp. 2d 1344, 2013 WL 2182234, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71053 (S.D. Fla. 2013).

Opinion

ORDER

CECILIA M. ALTONAGA, District Judge.

THIS CAUSE came before the Court on Defendant, PNC Bank, National Association’s (“PNC[’s]”) Motion for Summary Final Judgment ... (“Motion”) [ECF No. 104], together with a Statement of Material Facts (“Defendant’s SMF”) [ECF No. 103], both filed on February 19, 2013. Plaintiffs, Dantzler, Inc. and Dantzler Trade, Inc. (collectively, “Plaintiffs” or “Dantzler”), filed a Response and Incorporated Memorandum of Law ... (“Response”) [ECF No. 119] on March 26, 2013, and an Opposing Statement of Material Facts (“Plaintiffs’ SMF”) [ECF No. 116] on March 22, 2013. Defendant submitted a Reply in Support of its Motion ... (“Reply”) [ECF No. 122] on March 29, 2013. On April 10, 2013, the Court heard oral arguments on the Motion at a hearing (“April 10 hearing”) [ECF No. 130] and permitted the parties to submit supplemental memoranda on a particular issue. Dantzler filed its Memorandum ... (“Supplemental Memorandum”) [ECF No. 132] on April 16, 2013, and PNC filed its Reply to Plaintiffs’ Memorandum ... (“Response to Supplemental Memorandum”) [ECF No. 134] on April 18, 2013. The Court has carefully considered the parties’ written submissions, the record, oral arguments presented at the April 10 hearing, and applicable law.

I. BACKGROUND

This case involves certain claims in connection with the closing of a $27.5 million loan agreement. Plaintiffs’ Complaint states claims of fraudulent inducement (Count I), negligent misrepresentation (Count II), and mutual mistake (Count III) in connection with the parties’ loan agreement. {See generally Compl. [ECF No. 1-2]). Dantzler seeks rescission of the loan agreement entered into by the par[1348]*1348ties, damages for the costs incurred by Dantzler in connection with the agreement including subsequent attempts to obtain new funding sources, related damages, and all other appropriate relief. (See id. 19, 21-22, 24). PNC removed the action on December 30, 2011 under the Court’s diversity jurisdiction. (See generally Notice of Removal [ECF No. 1]). In the present Motion, PNC contends the undisputed facts demonstrate all of Plaintiffs’ claims are without merit and summary judgment should be entered in its favor. (See Mot. 3).

A. The Parties’ Preliminary Discussions (Before April 2011)

Plaintiffs are affiliated companies involved in the manufacture and distribution of lumber and construction materials in the United States and abroad. (See• Def.’s SMF ¶ 1; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 1). In 2009, Plaintiffs decided to explore potential refinancing options, including the opening of a line of credit with a new lender. (See Def.’s SMF ¶ 2; Pis.’ SMF ¶2). At the time, Plaintiffs maintained a line of credit through GE Capital. (See id.). In the summer of 2010, while Plaintiffs’ exploration of potential refinancing options was ongoing, PNC solicited Plaintiffs’ business. (See Def s SMF ¶ 3; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 3).

At the beginning of the parties’ negotiations, on October 15, 2010, PNC’s Business Development Officer who was handling the Dantzler loan (the “Loan”), Rocío de Ojeda (“Ms. de Ojeda”), sent an e-mail to Plaintiffs’ President, Antonio Godinez (“Mr. Godinez”), advising him, “On the borrowing base, you only need to submit the borrowing base [certificate] once a month but we do need the sales and collections updated once a week (this is done on-line and it[’]s very easy).” (Feb. 12, 2013 Notice of Fil-. ing, Ex. 11 at 1 [ECF No. 97-1]; see also Def.’s SMF ¶ 4; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 4).

On October 18, 2010, Plaintiffs and PNC executed a preliminary term sheet (the “October 2010 Term Sheet”) in which PNC “present[ed] for preliminary discussion purposes only, a proposal to underwrite the senior secured financing of up to $30,-000,000[.00],...” (Feb. 12, 2013 Notice of Filing, Ex. 2 at 3; see also Def.’s SMF ¶ 5; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 5). The October 2010 Term Sheet expressly advised Plaintiffs that PNC’s proposed revolving credit' facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) was up to thirty million dollars subject to a borrowing base (the “Borrowing Base”), which limited the amount of credit available to Plaintiffs. (See Feb. 12, 2013 Notice of Filing Ex. 2, at 3, 7; see also Def.’s SMF ¶ 6; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 6). The October 2010 Term Sheet expressly advised Plaintiffs that the amount of the Borrowing Base would be calculated using two primary data points, Plaintiffs’ accounts receivable (“AR”) and inventory. (See Feb. 12, 2013 Notice of Filing Ex. 2, at 3, 7; see also Def.’s SMF ¶ 6; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 6). It also advised Plaintiffs they would be subject to certain financial reporting requirements, including but not limited to, “monthly Borrowing Base certificates [ (“BBC[s]”) ] with sales and collections reported weekly.” (Feb. 12, 2013 Notice of Filing, Ex. 2 at 12; see also Def.’s SMF ¶ 6; Pls.’ SMF ¶ 6).2

[1349]*1349The October 2010 Term Sheet set forth specific conditions precedent Dantzler was required to meet in order for PNC to close the Revolving Credit Facility, including: “The Borrower will have minimum excess revolving credit availability [ (“Excess Loan Availability”) ] of $3,500,000[.00], at closing after Fees, expenses, and subtraction of trade payables 60 days or more past due. Such availability [is] to be evidenced by a [BBC] for the Revolving Credit Facility, satisfactory to ... the Lender.” (Feb. 12, 2013 Notice of Filing, Ex. 2 at 10-11; see also Def.’s SMF ¶ 8; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 8). Finally, the October 2010 Term Sheet expressly advised Plaintiffs that it was not a binding agreement on PNC. (See Feb. 12, 2013 Notice of Filing, Ex. 2 at 4 (“It is understood that this letter and Preliminary Term Sheet merely constitute a statement of suggested terms for discussion with respect to the transactions contemplated herein ... and, therefore, do not constitute a binding commitment with respect to these transactions. A binding commitment with respect to the Credit Facility will result only from execution and delivery by all of the parties of a definitive agreement relating to the Credit Facility, subject to the conditions contained herein.”)).

On March 1, 2011, following several months of due diligence and negotiations, Plaintiffs and PNC executed a loan commitment letter (the “March 2011 Loan Commitment”) in which PNC “presented] a commitment to provide the senior secured financing of up to $27,500,000.00” (Compl. Ex. D at 1 [ECF No. 1-2]; see also Defi’s SMF ¶ 10; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 10). The March 2011 Loan Commitment expressly reminded Plaintiffs that PNC’s proposed $27.5 million Revolving Credit Facility was subject to a Borrowing Base that would limit the amount of credit available to Plaintiffs, and that the amount of this Borrowing Base was calculated using two primary data points, Plaintiffs’ AR and inventory. (See Compl. Ex. D at 4-5; see also Defi’s SMF ¶ 11; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 11).

Additionally, the March 2011 Loan Commitment advised Plaintiffs they would be subject to certain financial reporting requirements, including “monthly [BBC]s with sales and collections reported weekly.” (Compl. Ex. D at 9). The March 2011 Loan Commitment also reduced the minimum Excess Loan Availability requirement from $3.5 million to $2.75 million as a condition precedent for PNC to close the Loan. (See id. at 8; see also Def.’s SMF ¶ 12; Pis.’ SMF ¶ 12).

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946 F. Supp. 2d 1344, 2013 WL 2182234, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71053, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/dantzler-inc-v-pnc-bank-national-assn-flsd-2013.