Poch v. Taylor

54 S.W.2d 994, 186 Ark. 618, 1932 Ark. LEXIS 400
CourtSupreme Court of Arkansas
DecidedDecember 12, 1932
Docket4-2761
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 54 S.W.2d 994 (Poch v. Taylor) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Poch v. Taylor, 54 S.W.2d 994, 186 Ark. 618, 1932 Ark. LEXIS 400 (Ark. 1932).

Opinion

Smith, J.

Suits were brought by the Bank Commissioner (who alleged that he was liquidating the assets of the Federal Bank & Trust Company) against J. K. Poch, Jr., and E. O. Manees, Sr., to enforce an assessment against them as stockholders in said bank. The cases were consolidated and tried together.

Poch filed an answer, in which he denied all the material allegations of the complaint, and alleged that all of the assets of the insolvent bank had been sold and assigned before the Bank Commissioner had taken charge of said bank, and that the assets of said bank were being liquidated by trustees for said assignees before the plaintiff Bank Commissioner attempted to take charge of the affairs of said bank, and that said trustees have, since that date, continued to manage and liquidate said bank. Manees filed a similar answer, and alleged, in addition, that he had sold his stock in the bank and the same had been transferred upon the books of that corporation before the Bank Commissioner had taken charge thereof. It is undisputed that prior to December 1, 1930, Poch owned stock in the bank of the par value of $2,000, and Manees owned stock of the par value of $8,000.

On November 18, 1930, an agreement was entered into between the directors of the Federal Bank & Trust Company, as parties of the first part, and the other banks in the cities of Little Bock and North Little Bock, comprising the Little Bock Clearing House Association, as parties of the second part, to the following effect: It was recited that the Federal Bank was experiencing a heavy withdrawal of deposits, which endangered its ability to continue in business, and that it had applied to the clearing house for assistance to enable it to remain open.

In consideration of the terms recited, it was agreed that:

‘ ‘ (1) First parties will cause Federal Bank & Trust Company to pledge to second parties all of its assets for the security of second parties’ undertakings herein.

“(2) Second parties hereby severally guarantee and promise each in the proportion hereinafter set out, to advance to Federal Bank & Trust Company sufficient funds as a loan, if necessary, so that each depositor of said company, as of the close of business on November 18, 1930, (except depositors of public funds or other deposits now secured as provided by law) may be paid upon demand.”

The third paragraph names the proportionate parts of the advances which each of the member banks of the clearing house agreed to make.

“ (4) The loans herein provided for to be made to Federal Bank & Trust Company by second parties will be evidenced by notes of Federal Bank & Trust Company executed to T. W. Kirkwood, as trustee, payable upon demand, at six per cent. (6%) interest, and specially secured by collateral from the general assets, acceptable to second parties. The collection of the proceeds of such collateral will be held in a separate account to the credit of T. W. Kirkwood, trustee, and applied as payment to second parties or loaned as approved by second parties for their account. Second parties will nominate an agent to serve with the executive committee of Federal Bank & Trust Company for that purpose.

“ (5) This guarantee and promise shall continue in force as to such deposits, as of the close of business on November 18,1930, for a period of ninety days (90) from this date. Each of first parties hereby guarantees second parties, up to the amount set opposite his signature, against any loss on account of such loans. It is expressly agreed, however, that the amount of the respective guarantees of the parties of the first part hereto is for the use and benefit of all of said parties of the second part collectively, to be prorated among them in proportion to the amount that each of said second parties shall loan to Federal Bank & Trust Company, as provided for herein.

“ (6) It is further agreed that, if said Federal Bank & Trust Company shall be forced to suspend business and liquidate its affairs, such liquidation shall taire place according to the laws of Arkansas, and that the parties of the second part shall be paid, first, out of the assets so pledged; second, out of the general assets of said bank; third, out of the statutory liability of all of its stockholders, including the first parties; and fourth, by recourse upon this guaranty of the signers hereto and according to its terms.

“(7) First parties agree that all due proceedings will be taken at all times by the board of directors of the Federal Bank & Trust Company for the due authority for such loans and for securing second parties according to the terms hereof.

“(8) It is agreed that this document is prepared in an emergency, and the first parties hereto agree to execute such supplements, additions and redrafts hereof as may be required by second parties as necessary to more fully express and carry out the intentions of the parties hereto, and execute such instruments in such number as may be necessary to supply each of second parties with a signed copy hereof. ’ ’

This eighth paragraph contains the names of the directors and stockholders contracting as parties of the first part, and opposite each name was written: “Amount of the respective guaranties of the parties of the first part hereto.” Opposite the name of Manees was written $2,500, while $2,000 was written opposite that of Poch. Both were directors of the Federal Bank & Trust Company.

Upon the execution of this agreement the lending-banks made the advances contemplated therein. The “run” on the Federal Bank & Trust Company continued in increasing volume until finally its officers decided to close its doors and to pay all depositors in full. This was done on or about January 15, 1931, and all depositors were invited to withdraw their deposits, and the lending banks furnished the money required for that purpose. Practically all of the deposits were withdrawn.

In order to secure the advances made by the lending banks, the assets of the Federal Bank & Trust Company were pledged to five trustees, two being named by the parties of the first part, two by the parties of the second part, and these fonr trustees selected the fifth.

Although the Federal Bank & Trust Company ceased to function as a bank- after January 15, 1931, it proceeded to liquidate its affairs through the five trustees. This method of liquidation continued until August 10, 1931, at which time the State Bank Commissioner took over its'assets for the purpose of liquidation, and levied the assessment against the stockholders which culminated in this lawsuit.

Judgment was rendered against both Poch and Manees for the amounts sued for. For the reversal of this judgment, it is first insisted that the suit is, in effect, one by the assignees of the assigned liability of the stockholders, and that such suits cannot be maintained, as such suits can be maintained- only by the State Bank Commissioner/and cases are cited to that effect.

We think, however, that the undisputed testimony shows that there was no sale of any of the assets of the insolvent bank.

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Related

Donaghey v. Wasson
82 S.W.2d 856 (Supreme Court of Arkansas, 1935)
Anderson v. Stone
77 S.W.2d 638 (Supreme Court of Arkansas, 1935)
Fee v. Taylor
58 S.W.2d 944 (Supreme Court of Arkansas, 1933)
White v. Taylor
58 S.W.2d 210 (Supreme Court of Arkansas, 1933)
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246 N.W. 874 (North Dakota Supreme Court, 1933)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
54 S.W.2d 994, 186 Ark. 618, 1932 Ark. LEXIS 400, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/poch-v-taylor-ark-1932.