KENNETH L. BUETTNER, Judge.
T1 Plaintiff/Appellant RCB Bank and Plaintiff/Appeliee Bank of Commerce (BOC) each filed foreclosure actions involving the same property, which were consolidated in the trial court.
Although the District Court action involved several lienholders, the issue
on appeal is only the priority between mortgages held by the two banks. The trial court found BOC's mortgage had priority; RCB appeals that decision. BOC's mortgage, which was executed and recorded four years before RCB's, has priority over RCB's mortgages. BOC's mortgage included a future advances clause and it secured both the note given by BOC's mortgagor and one for which BOC's mortgagor was guarantor; these notes were both made before RCB's mortgages. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's finding that BOC's mortgage was superior to RCB's.
BOC's Mortgage
T2 BOC's Petition alleged that Defendant Breakers, LLC. executed a $4,000,000 promissory note ("Breakers Note 1") to BOC October 8, 2004. Breakers' Note 1 was secured by a mortgage, recorded October 27, 2004, on Lots 12-18 of the Villas at Shangri-La
BOC claimed that Breakers was in default on Breakers Note 1 and owed $469,166.72 in principal and $76,931.92 in interest, plus $84.71 per day accruing interest and $1,344.46 in acerued late fees, and it sought judgment for that amount. BOC sought an order foreclosing the mortgage and declaring it superior to other liens on the property. BOC further asserted that Defendant Harold Tompkins executed Guaranty Agreements in 2004 in which he guaranteed payment of Breakers' Note 1 and that Tompkins had defaulted
BOC sought judgment against Tompkins on the Guaranty Agreements. BOC asserted that in June 2007, Defendant Pointe Marin executed a promissory note ("Breakers' Note 2") to BOC for $801,850 and, as a condition precedent to BOC making that loan, Breakers executed a Guaranty Agreement in which it guaranteed payment of Breakers' Note 2. BOC alleged Pointe Marin and Breakers had defaulted on payment of Breakers' Note 2 and it sought judgment against Pointe Marin and Breakers for $801,350 in principal, $193,076.95 in interest, plus accruing interest from May 15, 2009. BOC contended that its mortgage also secured Breakers Note 2, and it sought foreclosure of the mortgage based on the default on Breakers' Note 2.
BOC's remaining allegations are not relevant to the issues on appeal.
RCB's Mortgages
T3 In its Petition for Foreclosure, RCB alleged that on May 22, 2008, Villas
borrowed $1,825,000 ("Villas Note 1") and $2,000,000 ("Villas' Note 2") under two promissory notes secured by two mortgages, recorded the same day, on Lots 12-18 of the Villas at Shangri-La and five units in Pointe Marin Town Homes, Phase II ("Property").' RCB alleged Villas was in default and then owed $1,292,267.70, plus $14,447.02 interest, on Villas Note 1, and $2,000,000, plus $22,458.33 interest, on Villas'
Note 2. RCB sought judgment for those amounts, as well as foreclosure on the real property securing
the notes and foreclosure on the deposit account securing the notes, judgments against Tompkins and Cox on the Commercial Guaranties, and an order appointing a receiver.
Summary Judgment Proceedings
14 BOC filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment December 10, 2009, in which it sought judgment that its mortgage was superior, and judgment foreclosing its mortgage and loans. BOC listed thirteen paragraphs of undisputed facts.
BOC contended
that the undisputed facts showed that its mortgage had been recorded and effective since 2004 and that it was therefore superior to the other liens against the property. BOC claimed there was no dispute that Breakers was in default on Breakers' Note 1 and was liable as guarantor on Breakers' Note 2, and that both debts were secured by its mortgage on Lots 12-18 of the Villas.
T5 RCB filed its Response to the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and its Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and Motion for Default Judgment December 28, 2009.
RCB specifically disputed BOC's facts 7, 8, 10, and 11.
RCB further disputed all of BOC's statements of fact which conflicted with RCB's 25 statements of undisputed material facts.
RCB argued that
Breakers' Note 1 was paid off in 2005 and therefore BOC's mortgage expired before Breakers' Note 2 was executed. RCB contended that the Second Modification of BOC's mortgage was executed over two years after BOC's mortgage expired and that the modification was therefore ineffective to renew or extend the note or the mortgage. RCB further asserted BOC was not entitled to priority under the "dragnet clause" in BOC's mortgage, also called a "future advances clause," which provides that the mortgage secured all future debts Breakers owed to BOG.
6 BOC filed a Response to RCB's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment January 20, 2010.
BOC disputed RCB's statement 16 "to the extent it implies a legal necessity to include Note 2 or Pointe Marin in the Mortgage and Note Modifications" to allow BOC's mortgage to secure payment of Breakers Note 2. BOC asserted its security interest for payment of Breakers Note 2 attached pursuant to Breakers' Guaranty and the future advance clause in its mortgage. BOC also disputed RCB's fact 17, contending that there was no reason for it to list every note subject to Breakers' Guaranty because it was a continuing guaranty not limited to specifically named notes. BOC disputed RCB's 18th statement of fact, asserting it implied "a legal conclusion that an LLC cannot properly execute a Resolution ratifying its prior conduct." BOC disputed statement of fact 21 to the extent it implied it was legally necessary for Breakers' Note 2 and Breakers' Guaranty to be executed simultaneously. BOC disputed fact 22, claiming it implied a legal conclusion that a modification of mortgage was required for BOC's mortgage to secure Breakers' Note 2. BOC disputed fact 25 to the extent it implied "Breakers could not contract to guaranty Pointe Marin's debt pri- or to Pointe Marin's registration as an LLC with the Secretary of State." Finally, BOC disputed RCB's 26th statement of fact that Breakers' Note 1 was paid off May 5, 2006. BOC asserted $1,500,000 of the debt was sold to Canadian State Bank and that amount was paid in full; BOC asserted that the full $4,000,000 was not paid in full and that more than $500,000 in principal and interest were currently owing on Breakers' Note 1.
17 Following a hearing, the trial court issued its Journal Entry of Judgment May 4, 2010. The trial court granted BOC's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment in its entirety.
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KENNETH L. BUETTNER, Judge.
T1 Plaintiff/Appellant RCB Bank and Plaintiff/Appeliee Bank of Commerce (BOC) each filed foreclosure actions involving the same property, which were consolidated in the trial court.
Although the District Court action involved several lienholders, the issue
on appeal is only the priority between mortgages held by the two banks. The trial court found BOC's mortgage had priority; RCB appeals that decision. BOC's mortgage, which was executed and recorded four years before RCB's, has priority over RCB's mortgages. BOC's mortgage included a future advances clause and it secured both the note given by BOC's mortgagor and one for which BOC's mortgagor was guarantor; these notes were both made before RCB's mortgages. Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's finding that BOC's mortgage was superior to RCB's.
BOC's Mortgage
T2 BOC's Petition alleged that Defendant Breakers, LLC. executed a $4,000,000 promissory note ("Breakers Note 1") to BOC October 8, 2004. Breakers' Note 1 was secured by a mortgage, recorded October 27, 2004, on Lots 12-18 of the Villas at Shangri-La
BOC claimed that Breakers was in default on Breakers Note 1 and owed $469,166.72 in principal and $76,931.92 in interest, plus $84.71 per day accruing interest and $1,344.46 in acerued late fees, and it sought judgment for that amount. BOC sought an order foreclosing the mortgage and declaring it superior to other liens on the property. BOC further asserted that Defendant Harold Tompkins executed Guaranty Agreements in 2004 in which he guaranteed payment of Breakers' Note 1 and that Tompkins had defaulted
BOC sought judgment against Tompkins on the Guaranty Agreements. BOC asserted that in June 2007, Defendant Pointe Marin executed a promissory note ("Breakers' Note 2") to BOC for $801,850 and, as a condition precedent to BOC making that loan, Breakers executed a Guaranty Agreement in which it guaranteed payment of Breakers' Note 2. BOC alleged Pointe Marin and Breakers had defaulted on payment of Breakers' Note 2 and it sought judgment against Pointe Marin and Breakers for $801,350 in principal, $193,076.95 in interest, plus accruing interest from May 15, 2009. BOC contended that its mortgage also secured Breakers Note 2, and it sought foreclosure of the mortgage based on the default on Breakers' Note 2.
BOC's remaining allegations are not relevant to the issues on appeal.
RCB's Mortgages
T3 In its Petition for Foreclosure, RCB alleged that on May 22, 2008, Villas
borrowed $1,825,000 ("Villas Note 1") and $2,000,000 ("Villas' Note 2") under two promissory notes secured by two mortgages, recorded the same day, on Lots 12-18 of the Villas at Shangri-La and five units in Pointe Marin Town Homes, Phase II ("Property").' RCB alleged Villas was in default and then owed $1,292,267.70, plus $14,447.02 interest, on Villas Note 1, and $2,000,000, plus $22,458.33 interest, on Villas'
Note 2. RCB sought judgment for those amounts, as well as foreclosure on the real property securing
the notes and foreclosure on the deposit account securing the notes, judgments against Tompkins and Cox on the Commercial Guaranties, and an order appointing a receiver.
Summary Judgment Proceedings
14 BOC filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment December 10, 2009, in which it sought judgment that its mortgage was superior, and judgment foreclosing its mortgage and loans. BOC listed thirteen paragraphs of undisputed facts.
BOC contended
that the undisputed facts showed that its mortgage had been recorded and effective since 2004 and that it was therefore superior to the other liens against the property. BOC claimed there was no dispute that Breakers was in default on Breakers' Note 1 and was liable as guarantor on Breakers' Note 2, and that both debts were secured by its mortgage on Lots 12-18 of the Villas.
T5 RCB filed its Response to the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and its Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and Motion for Default Judgment December 28, 2009.
RCB specifically disputed BOC's facts 7, 8, 10, and 11.
RCB further disputed all of BOC's statements of fact which conflicted with RCB's 25 statements of undisputed material facts.
RCB argued that
Breakers' Note 1 was paid off in 2005 and therefore BOC's mortgage expired before Breakers' Note 2 was executed. RCB contended that the Second Modification of BOC's mortgage was executed over two years after BOC's mortgage expired and that the modification was therefore ineffective to renew or extend the note or the mortgage. RCB further asserted BOC was not entitled to priority under the "dragnet clause" in BOC's mortgage, also called a "future advances clause," which provides that the mortgage secured all future debts Breakers owed to BOG.
6 BOC filed a Response to RCB's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment January 20, 2010.
BOC disputed RCB's statement 16 "to the extent it implies a legal necessity to include Note 2 or Pointe Marin in the Mortgage and Note Modifications" to allow BOC's mortgage to secure payment of Breakers Note 2. BOC asserted its security interest for payment of Breakers Note 2 attached pursuant to Breakers' Guaranty and the future advance clause in its mortgage. BOC also disputed RCB's fact 17, contending that there was no reason for it to list every note subject to Breakers' Guaranty because it was a continuing guaranty not limited to specifically named notes. BOC disputed RCB's 18th statement of fact, asserting it implied "a legal conclusion that an LLC cannot properly execute a Resolution ratifying its prior conduct." BOC disputed statement of fact 21 to the extent it implied it was legally necessary for Breakers' Note 2 and Breakers' Guaranty to be executed simultaneously. BOC disputed fact 22, claiming it implied a legal conclusion that a modification of mortgage was required for BOC's mortgage to secure Breakers' Note 2. BOC disputed fact 25 to the extent it implied "Breakers could not contract to guaranty Pointe Marin's debt pri- or to Pointe Marin's registration as an LLC with the Secretary of State." Finally, BOC disputed RCB's 26th statement of fact that Breakers' Note 1 was paid off May 5, 2006. BOC asserted $1,500,000 of the debt was sold to Canadian State Bank and that amount was paid in full; BOC asserted that the full $4,000,000 was not paid in full and that more than $500,000 in principal and interest were currently owing on Breakers' Note 1.
17 Following a hearing, the trial court issued its Journal Entry of Judgment May 4, 2010. The trial court granted BOC's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment in its entirety. The court granted in part and denied in part RCB's Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment and Motion for Default Judgment. As to the dispute between the banks, the trial court found that BOC's mortgage from Breakers secured both Breakers' Note 1 and Breakers' Note 2. The court further found that BOC's 2004 mortgage had priority over RCB's 2008 mortgages and over all other liens on the property except for an ad valo-rem tax lien. The court granted judgment to BOC against Breakers for $469,166.72 in principal, $76,931.92 in accrued interest, $1,344.46 in late fees, $1,586.44 in costs, accruing interest of $84.71 per day, and attorney fees to be decided. The court granted judgment to BOC against Pointe Marin and Breakers for $801,350 in - principal, $193,076.95 in accrued interest and fees, $1,344.46 in late fees, $1,586.44 in costs, accruing interest of $194.77 per day, and attorney fees allowed by law.
T8 Summary judgment proceedings are governed by Rule 13, Rules for District Courts, 12 0.8.2001, Ch. 2, App.1. Summary judgment is appropriate where the record establishes no substantial controversy of material fact and the prevailing party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Brown v. Alliance Real Estate Group, 1999 OK 7, 976 P.2d 1043, 1045. Summary judgment is not proper where reasonable minds could draw different inferences or conclusions from the undisputed facts. Id. Further, we must review the evidence in the light most favorable to the party opposing summary judgment. Vance v. Fed. Natl. Mortg. Assn., 1999 OK 73, 988 P.2d 1275.
{9 In its Petition In Error, RCB contends the trial court erred in finding that Breakers' Note 1 was not fully paid and in finding that BOC's mortgage was not released or extinguished by Note 1 being paid. RCB also contends that the trial court erred in finding that BOC's mortgage secured Breakers Note 2 pursuant to the future advances clause in the mortgage.
We first address RCB's claim that Breakers' Note 1 was paid off, causing BOC's mortgage to expire. RCB argued that Breakers' Note 1 was fully paid May 5, 2006, and that BOC was required by law to release the mortgage at that time, citing 46 0.S.2001 § 15. That section provides for a penalty against a mortgagee who refuses to release a mortgage upon the mortgagor's request within 50 days of the debt secured by the mortgage being fully paid. Any claim for such a penalty would be Breakers' to make, not RCB's. Nothing in the record here suggests that Breakers asked to have the mort gage released, likely because the mortgage, by its express terms, was a continuing mort gage.
A mortgage which provides that it secures future advances or debts of any kind is considered legal and valid in Oklahoma. First Natl. Bank in Dallas v. Rozelle, 493 F.2d 1196, 1201 (10th Cir.1974); Johnston v. Amer. Fin. Corp., 1938 OK 195, 79 P.2d 242, 246, 182 Okla. 567. A mortgage securing future advances is considered "open-ended" and as such, until a release is recorded, it continues even after the original debt has been paid. Central Production Credit Assoc. v. Page, 268 S.C. 1, 281 S.E.2d 210, 214 (1977). RCB's contention that "the mort
gage follows the note" rule means that when the note was paid the mortgage ended, is not relevant here because the mortgage expressed the parties' intent that the mortgage continue to secure future advances. See In re Mancle, 314 B.R. 897 (E.D.Ark.2004).
T11 In Rozelle, supra, after the bank sought foreclosure, the mortgagor counter-sued for release of the mortgage, citing 46 O.8. § 15. The bank responded that it was not obligated to release the mortgage because of a future advances clause. The Tenth Cireuit Court of Appeals held that the future advances clause in the mortgage showed the parties' intent for the mortgage to secure later loans in addition to the note given at the time of the mortgage. 493 F.2d at 1202. Accordingly, whether Breakers Note 1 was fully paid at some previous point is not a question of fact material to the issues in this case. The record shows that BOC and Breakers amended the note and modified the mortgage after the date that RCB claims it was paid and should have been released. BOC's mortgage did not expire and served as security for later advances or loans BOC made to Breakers.
112 RCB also claims the trial court erred in finding Breakers was in default on its Note 1 and in awarding judgment therefor to BOC. The record includes BOC's President, Jan Miller's December 9, 2009 affidavit, in which she averred that Breakers was in default on Note 1 and then owed $469,166.72 in principal, plus $76,931.92 in interest and fees accrued through May 15, 2009, plus accruing interest. RCB's exhibit purporting to show that Breakers) Note 1 was paid off is a computer sereenshot dated May 5, 2006, and states "participation sold to Canadian State Bank." - BOC asserted RCB's exhibit was not authenticated, and that the exhibit at most shows that a portion of Note 1 was paid off by being sold to another bank. RCB has not presented evidence creating a question of fact on the amount in default on Breakers' Note 1 at the time of the foreclosure proceedings.
$183 We next consider RCB's arguments related to Breakers' Note 2. As explained above, Breakers' Note 2 is a note given by Pointe Marin to BOC. When Pointe Marin defaulted, BOC sought to foreclose on the mortgage based on Breakers guaranty of Pointe Marin's debts. RCB contends that the future advances clause should not include Breakers' Note 2 because Breakers was not the borrower but the guarantor. RCB contends that Breakers' Note 2 is not of the same class as the other note secured by BOC's mortgage and was not intended by the parties to be secured by BOC's mortgage. However, even the out of state authority on which RCB relies for this claim notes that the parties may express intent for a mortgage to secure debts of a different kind or character than the original debt secured. See Decorah State Bank v. Zidlicky, 426 N.W.2d 388, 390 (Iowa 1988), which quoted the rule in Iowa that:
[I)n the absence of clear, supportive evidence of a contrary intention a mortgage containing a dragnet type clause will not be extended to cover future advances unless the advances are of the same kind and quality or relate to the same transaction or series of transactions as the principal obligation secured or unless the document evidencing the subsequent advance refers to the mortgage as providing security therefor.
Id., quoting Freese Leasing v. Union Trust & Sav. Bank, 258 N.W.2d 921, 927 (Iowa 1977) (emphasis added). The future advances clause, quoted above, in BOC's mortgage is almost without limit and expressly provides that the mortgage secures debts of every kind and character.
14 In Rozelle, supra, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals considered the effect of a future advances clause of similar breadth. In that case, the borrower mortgaged his interest in oil and gas leaseholds and personal property to secure a loan of $40,000 and the mortgage included provisions securing "all loans and advances which Mortgagee may hereinafter make to Mortgagor" and "all other and additional debts ... of every kind and character of Mortgagor now or hereinafter existing in favor of Mortgagee." The appellate court held that the clauses were broad enough to secure subsequent loans to the mortgagor to finance the mortgagor's ranching operations on other land secured by a
mortgage thereon. The court declared that the "future advance" and "omnibus" provisions were both clear and broad, and the court recognized that an agreement to secure future advances would necessarily intend to secure sums that were indefinite and uncertain at the time the mortgage was executed. 498 F.2d at 1201-1202. The future advances clause is this case, which states in part that it extends to "all other debts, obligations and liabilities of every kind and character" plainly shows the parties' intent to include different kinds and qualities of debts.
T15 A future advances clause similar to the one in BOC's mortgage has been held to secure debts on which the mortgagor is a guarantor or surety. See Hepburn v. TriCounty Bank, 842 N.E.2d 378, 385 (Ind.App.2006) (where the court held that future advances or dragnet "clause could not have been written more broadly, as it encompasses any future obligation [borrower] may have to the Bank. Accordingly, the dragnet claus, es attach the mortgages to the later executed guaranty."); C & S DeKalb Bank v. Hicks, 282 Ga. 244, 206 S.E.2d 22 (1974).
{ 16 We agree with the trial court that the future advances clause in this case is written broadly enough to include a debt which Breakers was obligated to pay as a guarantor. The parties to the mortgage expressed their intent that the mortgage secure all debts of every kind and character on which Breakers was liable to BOC. Breakers later guaranteed payment of Pointe Marin's note to BOC. The plain language of the future advances clause of the mortgage embraces amounts which Breakers owed BOC under the Guaranty. Accordingly, BOC was entitled to judgment as a matter of law foreclosing its mortgage to satisfy the default of Breakers' Note 2.
{17 The summary judgment record shows no dispute of facts material to the issues presented. AFFIRMED.
MITCHELL, P.J., and JOPLIN, J., concur.