DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftbank, Frankfurt Am Main v. Choice Cash Advance, LLC

918 F. Supp. 2d 1156, 2013 WL 146344, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5432
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Washington
DecidedJanuary 14, 2013
DocketCase No. C11-1312JLR
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 918 F. Supp. 2d 1156 (DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftbank, Frankfurt Am Main v. Choice Cash Advance, LLC) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftbank, Frankfurt Am Main v. Choice Cash Advance, LLC, 918 F. Supp. 2d 1156, 2013 WL 146344, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5432 (W.D. Wash. 2013).

Opinion

ORDER ON CROSS MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE AN AMENDED ANSWER

JAMES L. ROBART, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

Before the court are three motions: (1) Defendant Choice Cash Advance, LLC, f/k/a Choice Insurance Agency, LLC’s (“Choice Insurance”) motion for summary judgment (Dkt. #41); (2) Plaintiff DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftbank, Frankfurt AM Main, New York Branch’s (“DZ Bank”) cross motion for summary judgment (Dkt. #45); and (3) Choice Insurance’s motion for leave to file a second amended answer (Dkt. # 53). The court has considered the motions, all submissions filed in support and opposition thereto, the balance of the record, and the applicable law. Being fully advised, the court GRANTS DZ Bank’s motion for summary judgment and DENIES Choice Insurance’s motions for summary judgment and to file a second amended answer.1

II. BACKGROUND

This matter arises out of the failure and subsequent bankruptcy of an insurance agency franchiser and the cascading effects that failure had upon one of its franchisees and others involved in the franchise’s financing.

A. Creation of Choice Insurance

In 2007, Defendant Louis Meyer created Choice Insurance in preparation for his acquisition of five insurance agencies. (See Meyer Dep. (Dkt. # 48-1) at 14:11-18; Compl. (Dkt. #1) ¶ 5; Am. Ans. (Dkt. #27) ¶ 5 (admitting allegations contained within paragraph 5 of complaint).) Mr. Meyer is the sole member of Choice Insurance. (Id.) On January 28, 2008, Choice Insurance entered into an agreement acquiring substantially all of the assets of five insurance agencies for the purchase price of $1,911,235.20. (Probst Deck (Dkt. # 48-3) ¶ 10, Ex. 1.)

B. Franchising Agreement with BCC

On January 31, 2008, Choice Insurance entered into a Franchise Agreement with Brooke Credit Corporation (“BCC”), which is not a party to this action. (See Franchise Agreement (Dkt. # 50-1).) Under this agreement, BCC promised to provide certain services to Choice Insurance in exchange for various fees and to serve as the “agent of record” for all insurance policies which Choice Insurance sold. (See id. ¶¶ 5.1-5.2, 7.1-7.2, 15.) For example, Choice Insurance agreed to pay BCC $165,000.00 for each franchise location. (Id. ¶ 4.1.) Choice Insurance also agreed to pay BCC other additional fees for the services that BCC promised to provide pursuant to the Franchise Agreement. (Id. ¶¶ 4.2-4.4.) The Franchise Agreement contains an integration clause, which states in pertinent part that the “Agreement ... fully expresses the entire understanding and agreement between the parties ... with respect to the subject matter....” (Id. ¶ 28.1.)

In late 2008, BCC filed for bankruptcy and consequently breached its contractual obligations to Choice Insurance under the Franchise Agreement. (See Meyer Deck (Dkt. # 49-1) ¶¶ 4-5; see also Choice Resp. (Dkt. #49) at 4.) BCC’s breach of the Franchise Agreement had a significantly adverse affect on the ability of [1160]*1160Choice Insurance to operate its business successfully. (See id.)

C. Financing Agreements with BCC

On the same day that they executed their Franchise Agreement, BCC, as lender, and Choice Insurance, as borrower, also entered into a Promissory Note (known as Promissory Note No. 6779) and an Agreement for Advancement of Loan (collectively, “the Loan Agreement”), in which BCC agreed to loan Choice Insurance $1,771,715.20 towards Choice Insurance’s purchase of the assets of the five insurance agencies referenced above.2 (Id. ¶ 11, Ex. 2.) Promissory Note No. 6779 specifically references the “Agreement for Advancement of Loan dated January 31, 2008” under the heading “ADDITIONAL TERMS.” (Id. Ex. 2 at 1.) Likewise, the Agreement for Advancement of Loan specifically references the “Promissory Note ... in the amount of $1,771,715.20,” and is expressly “subject to” its “terms and conditions.” (Id. at 27 (paragraph one of terms and conditions).) As Choice Insurance has recognized (see Choice Mot. at 2-3), Agreement for Advancement of Loan contains an integration clause, which states that it “represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto and shall supersede and take precedence over any and all prior agreements, arrangements or understandings between the parties related to the subject matter thereof.” (Probst Deck Ex. 2 at 36 (paragraph 37).)

D. Terms of the Loan Agreement

Under Promissory Note No. 6779, Choice Insurance’s failure to make a payment on time is an event of default. (Probst Deck Ex. 2 (Note) at 2 (Default Section at # 1) (“I will be in default if ... I fail to make a payment on time or in the amount due.”).) Additionally, Choice Insurance’s failure to remain solvent is an event of default. (Id. at 2 (Default Section at # 5) (I will be in default if ... I ... become insolvent (either because my liabilities exceed my assets or I am unable to pay to pay my debts as they become due)....”).)

Under Promissory Note No. 6779, upon an event of default, the lender, who in this case is DZ Bank as the assignee of BCC, may: (1) accelerate that balance due under Promissory Note No. 6779, (2) exercise set-off rights, (3) demand additional collateral, (4) refuse to make additional advances to Choice Insurance, and/or (5) use any remedy available under state or federal law. (Id. at 2 (Remedies Section).) Under the section entitled “WAIVER,” Choice Insurance expressly waives its rights to require the lender to: (1) demand payment of amounts due (presentment); (2) obtain official certification of nonpayment (protest); and /or (3) give notice that amounts due have not been paid (notice of dishonor). (Id. at 2 (Waiver Section).)

With regard to default, the Agreement for Advancement of Loan provides that DZ Bank “may upon written notice to [Choice Insurance], declare [Choice Insurance] to be in default if ... [Choice Insurance] fails to fulfill or perform any term, condition or obligation set forth in any Loan Document, including without limitations [Choice Insurance’s] failure to make payments when due in accordance with the terms of the Note.” (Id. Ex. 2 (Agreement for Advancement of Loan) ¶ 13.) The Agreement for Advancement of Loan also lists a variety of remedies and effects of default which are expressly “[i]n addition to any remedy or right [DZ Bank] has under any Loan Document, the Uniform Commercial Code or other law, and in addition to any effect of default set forth in [1161]*1161any other Loan Document, the Uniform Commercial Code or other law....” (Id. Ex. 2 ¶ 14.)

With regard to the interpretation of the Note, the Agreement for Advancement of Loan states:

Interpretation. Provisions in the Loan Document are intended to be cumulative. To the extent that the provisions of this Agreement conflict with those of any other Loan Document, the provision of which provides [DZ Bank] most protection and grants [DZ Bank] the greatest rights shall control. Likewise, if the provisions of any Loan Document conflict with those of any other Loan Document, the provision which provides [DZ Bank] most protection and grants [DZ Bank] the greatest rights shall control.

(Id. Ex.

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918 F. Supp. 2d 1156, 2013 WL 146344, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5432, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/dz-bank-ag-deutsche-zentral-genossenschaftbank-frankfurt-am-main-v-choice-wawd-2013.