JZ Smoke Shop, Inc. v. American Commercial Capital Corp.

709 F. Supp. 422, 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2789, 1989 WL 32111
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedMarch 21, 1989
DocketNo. 88 Civ. 0465 (TPG)
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 709 F. Supp. 422 (JZ Smoke Shop, Inc. v. American Commercial Capital Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
JZ Smoke Shop, Inc. v. American Commercial Capital Corp., 709 F. Supp. 422, 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2789, 1989 WL 32111 (S.D.N.Y. 1989).

Opinion

OPINION

GRIESA, District Judge.

Plaintiff JZ Smoke Shop, a tobacco shop in Nassau County, is a small business owned primarily by Joseph Zimmer. In March 1986, JZ borrowed $200,000 from defendant American Commercial Capital Corporation in a complex loan transaction. American is licensed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC). As an SBIC, American makes loans to qualifying small businesses pursuant to regulations promulgated by the SBA.

Zimmer sold his interest in JZ in May 1987, along with the real property on which the shop stood. Shortly thereafter, JZ paid American the outstanding balance on the loan, together with all interest and a prepayment penalty. However, JZ did not redeem a warrant which American had taken as part of the original loan package.

JZ has brought this suit to recover double the interest and fees paid to American, alleging that American made excessive financial charges in violation of the SBA regulations and New York usury law. JZ also seeks to obtain satisfaction of the mortgage held by American.

American has answered denying liability on these claims. Also, American has counterclaimed to compel JZ to redeem the warrant in accord with the loan agreement.

JZ now moves for summary judgment on its claims and the counterclaim. American has responded by cross-moving for summary judgment.

For reasons set forth hereafter, the court rules that JZ’s claim of excessive finance charges is invalid, and American is entitled to summary judgment dismissing this claim. JZ is not entitled to satisfaction of the mortgage at this time, so that summary judgment is denied on this issue. With regard to American’s counterclaim for the redemption of the warrant, there are certain factual issues requiring determination, and summary judgment is denied.

FACTS

In 1985, a mortgage broker named Lee Warzur approached American about making a loan to JZ. Both JZ and Zimmer owed money to several creditors. A tax lien had been imposed on the real property on which JZ was located.

The title to the real property in question was held not by JZ but by a separate entity, Weinlitz Realty, a corporation jointly owned by Zimmer and his wife. JZ Smoke Shop was the sole occupant of the property. JZ paid no rent.

Gerald Grossman, the president of American, entered into negotiations with Zimmer concerning a potential loan to JZ with the real property serving as security. Zimmer [424]*424told Grossman that JZ did not own the property, but that it was owned by another Zimmer entity.

On December 10,1985 Grossman wrote a letter on behalf of American outlining the terms on which American was willing to make a $175,000 loan to JZ. Zimmer signed a copy of this letter and returned it along with $2,000, as requested by American, to cover the cost of appraising the real property. The letter stated, “This is not intended as a commitment, but is a proposal for us to proceed to evaluate the business legal and collateral valuations necessary to determine how and if we may conclude a transaction.” On January 8, 1986, an appraiser hired by American valued the real property at no more than $400,000.

On March 4, 1986 a loan agreement was executed between American and JZ. The agreement provided for a loan of $200,000 to be repaid over five years at an interest rate of 16.375% per annum. It also provided for a pre-payment penalty equal to three months’ interest. In his capacity as JZ’s president and on behalf of JZ, Zimmer signed the agreement as well as a promissory note. In his individual capacity, Zimmer also signed a mortgage on the real property and a personal guarantee.

In connection with the loan agreement JZ gave American a warrant, under which American had the right to purchase 40% of the equity of JZ for $125 per share, or a total of $5,000. American had the power to exercise this right at any time prior to three years after the termination of the loan. JZ had the option to call (buy back) the warrant for $40,000 at the time of termination. If American chose not to exercise the warrant, American had the right to “put” the warrant to JZ — i.e., to require JZ to redeem the warrant at a formula price. The redemption price of the put was to be equal to

the greater of the incremental increase in the net worth of the Borrower between the Closing Date and the date of the “put” or the incremental increase in the fair market value of the Zimmer mortgage property between the closing date and the date of the “put.”

Simultaneous with the exercise of the loan agreement, by letter dated March 4, 1986, Zimmer requested and authorized American to pay out the proceeds of the loan to various persons and entities. Pursuant to these instructions, American disbursed over $90,000 to pay off mortgages and taxes associated with the real property. The sum of $78,849 was disbursed directly to JZ as “working capital.” Approximately $20,000 was disbursed to the mortgage broker, the lawyers, and the title company to cover fees associated with the loan transaction.

In May 1987 Zimmer sold his interest in JZ along with the real property on which JZ was located for $1,000,000. Zimmer represented to American at the time that $766,000 was for the real estate, and $234,-000 for the business. Shortly thereafter JZ pre-paid the outstanding balance on the loan, including the penalty of three months interest.

JZ did not exercise its option to call the warrant. American then attempted to put the warrant to JZ. JZ did not redeem the put option. This lawsuit followed.

The Summary Judgment Motions

JZ contends that there is no triable issue on its claim under the SBA regulations, and that therefore the applicable statute permits it to recover double the charges it paid. JZ also contends that there is no triable issue on the claim that it has repaid the loan with interest and is entitled to satisfaction of the mortgage.

American, in its cross-motion for summary judgment, alleges that the finance charges were clearly within the permissible range so that summary judgment should be granted dismissing JZ’s claim. American disputes that JZ is entitled to a satisfaction of the mortgage because the mortgage secures all of Zimmer’s obligations, which included redemption of the warrant. American also contends that it is entitled to summary judgment on its claim that JZ is required to redeem the warrant. American calculates the redemption price under the contract formula as equal to the increase in the fair market value of the real property. [425]*425Since the land was sold for $766,000 in May 1987, and had been appraised at $400,000 in January 1986, American claims the redemption price is equal to the increase of $366,-000.

DISCUSSION

The Excessive Finance Charge Claim

The operation and regulation of SBIC’s are governed by the Small Business Investment Act, 15 U.S.C. § 687, and regulations thereunder. Section 687(i) provides for the issuance of regulations fixing the maximum rate of interest to be charged for an SBA loan.

Pursuant to this authority, the SBA has promulgated regulations in 13 C.F.R. § 107

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Medallion Financial Corp. v. Weingarten
132 A.D.3d 596 (Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 2015)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
709 F. Supp. 422, 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2789, 1989 WL 32111, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/jz-smoke-shop-inc-v-american-commercial-capital-corp-nysd-1989.