Fidelity National Bank v. Lobo Hijo Corp.

594 P.2d 1193, 92 N.M. 737
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedApril 3, 1979
Docket3335
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 594 P.2d 1193 (Fidelity National Bank v. Lobo Hijo Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Fidelity National Bank v. Lobo Hijo Corp., 594 P.2d 1193, 92 N.M. 737 (N.M. Ct. App. 1979).

Opinion

OPINION

WOOD, Chief Judge.

The trial court’s judgment determined the amount due the Bank pursuant to a promissory note, determined that the amount due was a prior lien on certain real estate which had been mortgaged to the Bank, foreclosed this lien and ordered the real estate sold, directed how the proceeds of the sale were to be applied, and ruled that the Bank was entitled to judgment for any deficiency that remained after application of the sale proceeds. The numerous defendants included Lobo (Lobo Hijo Corporation), Freeway (Freeway Old Town Limited), and Limited Partners (Rust, McNary, Anella and Foley). A deficiency judgment was entered against Lobo. A judgment was entered in favor of Lobo and against Limited Partners on the basis of an indemnity agreement. Lobo’s appeal, which involves the dismissal of its counterclaim against the Bank (1) raises the issue of the propriety of a setoff. The appeal of Limited Partners raises (2) procedural claims involving the indemnity agreement and issues as to (3) whether the indemnity agreement was joint and several, and (4) whether there was a deficiency to which the indemnity agreement applied.

The trial court approved the special master’s sale of the property. After application of the proceeds of the sale, the Bank was granted a deficiency judgment against Lobo for $75,577.25. Lobo was granted a judgment against Limited Partners in the same amount.

Setoff

The bank’s complaint was filed September 28, 1976. On October 21, 1976 Lobo filed a motion which asserted: (a) it deposited $80,000 into its checking account with the Bank on October 15, 1976 and had written checks on the basis of this deposit; (b) the checks had been returned because the Bank had “placed a hold” on the deposited funds; (c) the Bank had placed the “hold” with the intention of applying the deposited funds against the amount due pursuant to the promissory note; and (d) the Bank’s action was contrary to law. Responding to the motion, the Bank admitted it held Lobo’s deposit for the purpose of applying a setoff and that it had the right to do so “by reason of the agreement between the parties . . ..”

An evidentiary hearing was held on the motion on October 22, 1976. At the conclusion of the hearing, then District Judge Payne stated from the bench:

I am going to rule that the bank may not apply the money as against the indebtedness at this point in time. However, I am going to rule that they may claim a setoff and hold the funds without distribution, pending a determination as to whether the setoff would be- proper to apply to the debt, or not.

No written decision was entered in accordance with this oral ruling of Judge Payne.

More than four months after the oral ruling (March 4,1977), Lobo filed its answer to the Bank’s complaint, a counterclaim against the Bank, and a cross claim against Limited Partners. The counterclaim alleged the Bank converted the funds represented by the $80,000 deposit “by failing and refusing to honor any checks written on the checking account.” This claim of conversion is the basis for the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals. Section 34-5-8(A), N.M.S.A. 1978; Measday v. Sweazea, 78 N.M. 781, 438 P.2d 525, 26 A.L.R.3d 1386 (Ct.App.1968).

On April 7, 1977 the Bank moved to strike the counterclaim “for the reason that this matter has previously been determined. . ” Thereafter, pursuant to stipulation of the parties, the trial court denied the motion to strike, and ruled that the counterclaim would be tried separately, but after the Bank’s suit had been tried.

In May, 1977 the Bank moved (1) either to dismiss the counterclaim on the basis that it had been disposed of, or (2) in the alternative for summary judgment on the basis that there were no genuine issues of fact as to the counterclaim. After a June, 1977 hearing, of which there is no record, the trial court reserved judgment on the motion until after the trial of the Bank’s claim, but prior to trial of the counterclaim.

After trial of the Bank’s claim in September, 1977, the trial court’s decree of foreclosure, in October, 1977, granted the Bank’s motion to dismiss the counterclaim with prejudice.

Lobo’s appellate claim is presented in the alternative either that the trial court erred in dismissing the counterclaim or in granting summary judgment in favor of the Bank.

The issue as to the propriety of dismissing the counterclaim centers on the oral ruling of Judge Payne which was not incorporated in a written decision, the evidentiary hearing in October, 1976 and the June, 1977 hearing of which there is no record. We do not consider these matters further because the counterclaim was properly disposed of by summary judgment.

The Bank’s alternative motion of May, 1977 included a request for summary judgment. The trial court’s ruling granted the motion without specifying the basis for dismissal. Although we do not know the basis for the trial court’s ruling, the order of dismissal was proper if the Bank was entitled to summary judgment on Lobo’s counterclaim. In re Will of Skarda, 88 N.M. 130, 537 P.2d 1392 (1975).

Lobo asserts there was a factual question concerning the Bank’s right to set-off Lobo’s deposit of $80,000 against Lobo’s indebtedness to the Bank. We disagree.

Lobo’s promissory note to the Bank states:

To secure payment of this note . we, hereby assign as security for the payment of said indebtedness property of any kind or nature, held by, or under possession or control of said bank . and a first and prior lien and right of offset is hereby given for the payment of all indebtedness upon all property or evidence of indebtedness held by said bank.

In addition, a signature card, signed by the president of Lobo, states:

RIGHT OF SET OFF. All funds to which the depositor is entitled may at all times be held and treated as collateral security for the payment of any and all liabilities of depositor to bank, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or heretofore existing or hereafter arising.

The undisputed facts show the Bank had a right of setoff.

Lobo also asserts that the Bank had no legal right to utilize its deposit as a setoff. Lobo relies on Melson v. Bank of New Mexico, 65 N.M. 70, 332 P.2d 472 (1958) which stated the “better rule” to be:

“There was no unsecured liquidated debt at the time the bank debited the checking account to apply [the deposit] on the chattel mortgage note. Except where the mortgagee has contracted with the mortgagor to apply funds subject to withdrawal on the order of the mortgagor to the secured indebtedness of the mortgagor, there is no right to apply the account nor to hold such account until the security has first been exhausted so that the unpaid balance of the indebtedness is an unsecured debt.”

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Related

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
594 P.2d 1193, 92 N.M. 737, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/fidelity-national-bank-v-lobo-hijo-corp-nmctapp-1979.