Idaho First National Bank v. David Steed & Associates, Inc.

825 P.2d 79, 121 Idaho 356, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 673, 1992 Ida. LEXIS 11
CourtIdaho Supreme Court
DecidedJanuary 16, 1992
Docket18582
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 825 P.2d 79 (Idaho First National Bank v. David Steed & Associates, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Idaho Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Idaho First National Bank v. David Steed & Associates, Inc., 825 P.2d 79, 121 Idaho 356, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 673, 1992 Ida. LEXIS 11 (Idaho 1992).

Opinion

JOHNSON, Justice.

This is a lender liability case. The primary issue presented is whether the trial court was correct in granting summary judgment dismissing the counterclaim of the borrowers alleging that the lender breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. We agree with the trial court that there were no genuine issues of material fact concerning this counterclaim and that summary judgment was appropriate. We also rule: (1) the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in denying disqualification motions of the borrowers, (2) the borrowers were not entitled to a jury trial to determine the amount of the deficiency judgment, and (3) the deficiency and attorney fees awarded by the trial court were reasonable.

*358 I.

THE BACKGROUND AND PRIOR PROCEEDINGS.

In 1982, David Steed and Associates, Inc. (DSA) purchased an equipment dealership. Idaho First National Bank (now West One Bank, Idaho) (the Bank), provided financing to DSA for this business. Claren P. Holm, Del Ray Holm, and David C. Steed (the guarantors) guaranteed the payment of the loans from the Bank to DSA. (For ease of reference the guarantors will usually not be referred to separately, but will be included in the designation DSA.)

DSA expanded its business in 1984 and applied to the Bank for additional financing. In January 1985 the Bank and DSA entered into a new loan agreement (the loan agreement). The loan agreement restructured the terms of payment for the previous loans and extended further credit. DSA provided security for the loans in the form of (1) a security interest in vehicles, equipment, and accounts receivable, (2) a deed of trust on real property, and (3) trust receipts on inventory.

One of the provisions of the loan agreement stated:

Maturity: All of [the loans provided in the loan agreement] are understood to mature and be due and payable on July 1, 1985. It is contemplated that at that time BANK will consider, but not be obligated to agree to, renewals and extensions consistent with the following terms.
Loan # 1: $450,000.00 —If renewed at its maturity date, this loan will again mature on July 1, 1986. A principal reduction of $90,000.00 will be required on December 15, 1985 and interest only will be due each calendar quarter during the life of the loan. This loan is to be secured by the following:
1. Continuing security agreements covering all inventories, receivables, and equipment currently owned by BORROWER or later acquired by BORROWER.
2. Deed of Trust on real property owned by BORROWER.
3.Continuing full guaranty of all stockholders as individuals.
Loan # 2: $150,000.00—Security agreement covering accounts receivables. Advances made under this line will be made on the basis of individual notes of not more than 90 days maturity. In no case shall the maturity of any individual note go beyond July 1, 1985. Advances will be limited in the aggregate to not more than 75% of accounts receivables aged less than 90 days as reported monthly. It is understood by the BORROWER that this line must be paid in full, with no amounts outstanding for a period of 30 consecutive days each 12 month period.
Loan #3: $500,000.00—Such security instruments as the BANK normally requires for the “flooring” of new Ford Heavy Duty Trucks. Terms and conditions of this loan are more completely described in separate agreements and security instruments pertaining specifically to advances made under this loan.
Loan #4: $350,000.00—Such security agreements as the BANK normally requires for the “flooring” of used farm equipment, terms and conditions of which are more completely described in separate agreements and security instruments pertaining specifically to advances under this line.
In particular, it is to be noted that in the future, flooring used equipment under this line will be limited to a single 180 day term with no renewals allowed. Items, once paid in full, may be refloored at the BANK’S discretion.
In addition to the four separate lines discussed above, the BANK will continue, through July 1, 1985, the purchase of full-recourse type contracts from BORROWER to an aggregate of $300,000.00 under the terms of the Dealer Reserve Agreement dated May 17, 1982.

By July 1, 1985, DSA had not paid all of the loans referred to in the loan agreement. In January 1986 the Bank renewed the loan agreement and extended the maturity date to February 1, 1986. The Bank stated that further extensions would depend on the *359 outcome of negotiations between DSA and a third party to whom DSA was attempting to sell part of its business. DSA sold part of its business to the third party and applied $751,900 of the proceeds to its loans from the Bank.

The Bank extended the maturity date for the loans three more times in 1986, with December 1, 1986, as the final extended maturity date. DSA did not pay the loans, and the Bank sued DSA to foreclose on the security given for the loans and to collect any deficiency. Shortly thereafter, the trial court granted the Bank a writ of possession allowing the Bank to seize the personal property that was security for the payment of the loans referred to in the loan agreement.

Within a few days after the Bank sued DSA, DSA sued the Bank, its directors, and some officers of the Bank. DSA’s complaint contained claims for: (1) fraud and deceit by fiduciaries, (2) constructive fraud and conspiracy to breach duties owed as a result of confidential and fiduciary relationship, (3) negligence, (4) intentional infliction of emotional distress, (5) constructive trust and order for reconveyance, (6) injunctive relief, and (7) unfair competition, damages, and injunction.

The trial court consolidated the action brought by the Bank and the action brought by DSA. DSA’s claims were treated as compulsory counterclaims in the Bank’s foreclosure action.

Because of disputes about DSA’s right to a jury trial on its counterclaims, DSA brought an original proceeding in this Court. In David Steed and Assoc., Inc. v. Young, 115 Idaho 247, 766 P.2d 717 (1988) (Steed I), the Court held that DSA was entitled to a jury trial on its legal counterclaims.

DSA then moved to amend its counterclaims to allege that the Bank had breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The trial court granted this motion, but also granted the Bank’s motion for summary judgment dismissing DSA’s claims for fraud and deceit by fiduciaries and for constructive fraud to breach duties owed as a result of confidential and fiduciary relationship. The trial court then dismissed DSA’s counterclaims alleging torts committed by the Bank, but allowed DSA’s contract counterclaims to continue.

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Bluebook (online)
825 P.2d 79, 121 Idaho 356, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 673, 1992 Ida. LEXIS 11, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/idaho-first-national-bank-v-david-steed-associates-inc-idaho-1992.