Robert And Doris Cummings v. Nw Trustee Services Of Wa

• Court: Court of Appeals of Washington
• Decided: November 28, 2016
• Docket: 74264-7
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

ROBERT and DORIS CUMMINGS, No. 74264-7-I c:5 husband and wife, DIVISION ONE CO Appellants, 2»

up ro —j NORTHWEST TRUSTEE SERVICES UNPUBLISHED OF WASHINGTON, a Washington corporation; MORTGAGE FILED: November 28, 2016 ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation; and DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE IN TRUST FOR THE REGISTERED CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, ASSET- BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FF8,

Respondents,

and

JOHN DOES 1-10,

Defendants.

Cox, J. — Robert and Doris Cummings (collectively, Cummings) appeal

the trial court's order granting summary judgment to Mortgage Electronic

Registration Systems Inc. (MERS) and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company.

They fail to show that there are any genuine issues of material fact for their No. 74264-7-1/2

claims of violations of the Deeds of Trust Act or the Consumer Protection Act

(CPA). MERS and Deutsche Bank are entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

We affirm.

In April 2006, Cummings borrowed $240,000 from First Franklin. They

executed a promissory note dated April 12, 2006 in the principal amount of

$240,000 to memorialize this obligation.

In order to secure payment of the note, Cummings also executed a deed

of trust dated April 24, 2006 encumbering their home. The deed of trust was

recorded in the Auditor's Records of Snohomish County. It named First Franklin

as the lender, First American Title as the trustee, and MERS as the beneficiary

nominee for First Franklin.

Thereafter, First Franklin specially endorsed this note to First Franklin

Financial Corporation.1 First Franklin Financial Corporation then endorsed this

note in blank.2 Deutsche Bank has had possession of both this note and the

deed of trust securing it at all times material to enforcement of the obligations

evidenced by these documents.

Cummings defaulted on the loan by missing payments due under the

terms of the note.

MERS purported to assign "all beneficial interest" in the note and deed of

trust to Deutsche Bank by an Assignment of Deed of Trust dated October 6,

1 Clerk's Papers at 62.

2 Id. No. 74264-7-1/3

2011. That assignment was recorded in the Auditor's Records of Snohomish

County on October 18, 2011.

Deutsche Bank recorded an agreement dated June 5, 2014 granting

Select Portfolio Serving Inc. (SPS) limited power of attorney to service the loan

and, if necessary, appoint a successor trustee to foreclose the deed of trust.

Deutsche Bank, through SPS, gave Northwest Trustee Services (NWTS) two

beneficiary declarations stating that Deutsche Bank, as trustee for the First

Franklin Mortgage loan trust, was the actual holder of the note.

On September 23, 2014, Deutsche Bank, through SPS, appointed NWTS

as successor trustee. NWTS sent a notice of default to Cummings the next day.

NWTS recorded a notice of trustee's sale on November 11, 2014, setting

a sale date for March 13, 2015. The home was sold at the trustee's sale on

March 13,2015.

On March 20, 2015, Cummings commenced this suit against MERS,

Deutsche Bank, and NWTS. They claimed violations of the Deeds of Trust Act

and the CPA. They sought declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, and

attorney fees.

NWTS moved to dismiss all claims against it. The trial court granted that

motion. Cummings sought to appeal, but a commissioner of this court directed No. 74264-7-1/4

them to file a motion for discretionary review.3 They did not do so, and this court

dismissed that appeal.4 That dismissal is now final.

The trial court then granted summary judgment to MERS and Deutsche

Bank. Cummings's notice of appeal that is now before us designates only this

order.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

NWTS argues that the summary judgment order dismissing it from this

action is not properly before this court because Cummings did not designate that

order in their notice of appeal. We agree.

The notice of appeal dated November 11, 2015 designates only the order

granting summary judgment to MERS and Deutsche Bank. It neither designates

nor refers to the prior order dismissing NWTS. Thus, under RAP 2.4(a), the

NWTS order is not before this court.

We note that Cummings attempted to appeal the order dismissing claims

against NWTS in a prior notice of appeal. But a commissioner of this court

decided that the order was interlocutory and not yet subject to appeal.5 At that

time, all claims of all parties had not yet been resolved. The commissioner

directed Cummings to file a petition for discretionary review.6 They did not do so.

3 Cummings v. Truiillo v. Nw. Tr. Servs., Inc., No. 74264-7-I (Wash. Ct. App. May 16, 2016) (notation ruling).

4ld,

5id,

6 Id. No. 74264-7-1/5

At oral argument, Cummings contended that they rely upon their earlier

notice of appeal to somehow preserve for our review the earlier order of

dismissal. They are mistaken.

An interlocutory notice of appeal has no effect upon consideration of a

later appeal from a final judgment unless designated in that later appeal.7 Thus,

the prior notice of appeal does not change our conclusion that the prior order is

not properly before us.

Under RAP 2.4(b), the appellate court reviews orders not designated in

the notice of appeal when the undesignated order satisfies two elements. The

order must "prejudicially affectf] the decision designated in the notice," and the

order must have been entered before the appellate court accepted review of the

case.8

As for the first element, "prejudicial effect" means that the "order appealed

from would not have happened but for the" undesignated order.9 This requires

that the two orders "be so entwined that to resolve the order appealed, the court

must consider the order not appealed."10 This element is not satisfied because

the dismissal of NWTS had no bearing on the subsequent order granting

summary judgment in favor of MERS and Deutsche Bank.

7 State v. Thome, 39 Wn.2d 63, 65, 234 P.2d 528 (1951).

8 RAP 2.4(b).

9 Right-Price Recreation, LLC v. Connells Prairie Cmty. Council, 146 Wn.2d 370, 380, 46 P.3d 789 (2002).

10 Id. at 379 (internal citation omitted). No. 74264-7-1/6

Because of failure to meet the first element, we need not address the

second.

In sum, the claims directed against NWTS are not properly before this

court. Likewise, there is no need to address the remaining arguments of NWTS.

We shall not address either any further.

DEEDS OF TRUST ACT

Cummings first argues that the foreclosure of the deed of trust securing

their delinquent note was wrongful. There is no merit to this claim.

Summary judgment is proper "only when there is no genuine issue as to

any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of

law."11 "A genuine issue of material fact exists if 'reasonable minds could differ

on the facts controlling the outcome of the litigation.'"12

Summary judgment is subject to a burden-shifting scheme.13 The movant

is entitled to summary judgment by submitting affidavits establishing its

entitlement to judgment as a matter of law.14 The nonmoving party avoids

summary judgment by setting forth "'specific facts which sufficiently rebut the

moving party's contentions'" and disclosing the existence of a genuine issue of

11 Scrivener v.Clark Coll., 181 Wn.2d 439, 444, 334 P.3d 541 (2014); see also CR 56(c).

12 Knight v. Dep't of Labor & Indus., 181 Wn. App. 788, 795, 321 P.3d 1275 (quoting Ranger Ins. Co. v. Pierce County, 164 Wn.2d 545, 552, 192 P.3d 886 (2008)), review denied, 339 P.3d 635 (2014).

13 Ranger Ins. Co., 164 Wn.2d at 552.

14 Id. No. 74264-7-1/7

material fact.15 To accomplish this, the nonmoving party may not rely either on

argumentative assertions that unresolved factual issues remain or on

speculation.16

We review de novo a trial court's grant of summary judgment.17

We may affirm on any basis supported by the record whether or not the

argument was made below.18

We start with basic principles applicable to this case. They arise from the

note and deed of trust on which this foreclosure was based.

First, this court and the supreme court have both held that the holder of a

promissory note is the person entitled to enforce that obligation.19 Ownership of

a note is irrelevant to the power to enforce that note.20

Second, the holder of the note has the power to enforce the deed of trust

because the deed of trust follows the note by operation of law. In Bain v.

Metropolitan Mortgage Group, Inc., the supreme court explained that the Deeds

15 |d (quoting Meyer v. Univ. of Wash., 105 Wn.2d 847, 852, 719 P.2d 98 (1986)).

16 Id,

17 Id.

18 First Bank of Lincoln v. Tuschoff, 193 Wn. App. 413, 422, 375 P.3d 687 (2016).

19 Brown v. Dep't of Commerce, 184 Wn.2d 509, 514, 359 P.3d 771 (2015); Bain v. Metro. Mortg. Grp., Inc.. 175 Wn.2d 83, 104, 285 P.3d 34 (2012); Truiillov. Nw. Tr. Servs., Inc., 181 Wn. App. 484, 502, 326 P.3d 768 (2014), rev'd on other grounds, 183 Wn.2d 820, 355 P.3d 1100 (2015).

20 Id. No. 74264-7-1/8

of Trust Act "contemplates that the security instrument will follow the note, not the

other way around."21 This statement is consistent with well-settled law.

Commentators have explained that "transfer of the [note] alone will carry

the [deed of trust] along with it."22 Other commentators have elaborated:

[B]etween the parties to a transfer the assignment or negotiation of the note itself is all that must be done. It is unnecessary to have any separate document purporting to transfer or assign the mortgage on the real estate, for it will follow the obligation automatically.'2^ These two principles demonstrate that the holder of the note is entitled to

enforce both it and the deed of trust securing it. Here, it is undisputed that

Deutsche Bank has had possession of the note, which was indorsed in blank, at

all times material to this matter. Accordingly, it is the holder of the note, which

gives it the power to enforce it.

The deed of trust follows the note. Accordingly, Deutsche Bank also has

the power to enforce the deed of trust, by operation of law.

Because Deutsche Bank has possession of both the note and deed of

trust, with the power to enforce both, it has established a prima facie case that it

is entitled to summary judgment. The burden shifts to Cummings to show the

existence of a genuine issue of material fact.

21 175 Wn.2d 83, 104, 285 P.3d 34 (2012).

2218 William B. Stoebuck & John W. Weaver, Washington Practice: Real Estate § 18.18 at 334 (2d ed. 2004 & updated 2016).

231 Grant S. Nelson & Dale A. Whitman, Practitioner Treatise Series: Real Estate Finance Law § 5.28 at 429 (4th ed. 2002).

8 No. 74264-7-1/9

Cummings first argues that RCW 62A.9A-203, part of Article 9 of the

Uniform Commercial Code, determines who is entitled to enforce the deed of

trust. This argument is without merit.

RCW 61.24.030(7)(a), the controlling portion of the Deeds of Trust Act,

states who is entitled to enforce a deed of trust that secures a delinquent note.

Case authority makes clear that Article 3 controls the right to enforce a note and

deed of trust under this statute.24 Article 9 has no bearing on enforcement of a

note and deed of trust.

Cummings next claims that "[t]here has never been a subsequent

assignment" of the note and deed of trust to Deutsche Bank. This contention is

irrelevant to the resolution of this case.

First, the note was indorsed in blank and Deutsche Bank has had

possession of this note at all times material to the foreclosure. The negotiation

by this indorsement is sufficient to make Deutsche Bank the holder of that

instrument, entitled to enforce it. A separate assignment is not required. Thus,

the purported assignment of an interest in the note by MERS is irrelevant.

Second, they argue that MERS's purported assignment of "a beneficial

interest" under the deed of trust was improper. This, too, is irrelevant.

In Bain, the supreme court recognized that MERS could not appoint a

successor trustee because it never held the promissory note and was thus an

24 Brown, 184 Wn.2d at 528; Bain, 175 Wn.2d at 103-04. No. 74264-7-1/10

"ineligible beneficiary" under the Deeds of Trust Act.25 MERS thus lacked any

rights to confer on a successor trustee.26

But the lack of a valid assignment by MERS does not preclude Deutsche

Bank's ability to enforce the deed of trust in this case. That is because it has

possessed the note at all times material to the foreclosure.

As we previously discussed in this opinion, the deed of trust follows the

note. So when the bank obtained possession of the note, the deed of trust

followed it, by operation of law. Deutsche Bank possessed both the note and

deed of trust at all times that are material to the foreclosure. MERS's lack of a

"beneficial interest" under the deed of trust to assign to the bank is irrelevant.

Cummings also argues that MERS's assignment of its purported interest

under the deed of trust to Deutsche Bank was improper because it was made

over five years after the loan trust closed. As such, they contend this loan did not

become a "qualified mortgage" under 26 U.S.C. § 860 of the federal tax code.

This too is irrelevant to Deutsche Bank's right to foreclose. There is no

persuasive explanation why a MERS assignment, whether or not it complies with

the federal tax code, affects enforceability of the note and deed of trust in this

case. Accordingly, we reject this argument.

Cummings further contends that the assignment was untimely, given the

terms of the loan trust's Pooling and Servicing Agreement. But this record does

not contain a copy of this agreement. It is appellant's burden to provide an

25 175 Wn.2d 83, 105, 285 P.3d 34 (2012).

26 Id,

10 No. 74264-7-1/11

adequate record for review, and they have failed in this burden. Thus, we need

not address this argument any further.27

Cummings next argues that the MERS assignment was invalid because

MERS did not exchange value for the note. They base this contention on the

mistaken notion that Article 9 of the UCC governs. It does not. Moreover, the

MERS assignment, as we already explained in this opinion, is irrelevant to the

authority of the bank to enforce the note and deed of trust.

For these reasons, we conclude that Cummings has failed to show there

are any genuine issues of material fact for their claim that either Deutsche Bank

or MERS violated the provisions of the Deeds of Trust Act. MERS and Deutsche

Bank are entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

Cummings brings several claims under the CPA. To succeed on these

claims, Cummings must show "(1) an unfair or deceptive act, (2) in trade or

commerce, (3) that affects the public interest, (4) injury to the plaintiff in his or her

business or property, and (5) a causal link between the unfair or deceptive act

complained of and the injury suffered."28 A claimant must establish all five

elements to prevail.29

27 See Darkenwald v. Emp't Sec. Dep't, 183 Wn.2d 237, 248, 350 P.3d 647 (2015); RAP 10.3(a)(6).

28 Truiillo v. Nw. Tr. Servs., Inc., 183 Wn.2d 820, 834-35, 355 P.3d 1100 (2015).

29 Indoor Billboard/Wash., Inc. v. Integra Telecom of Wash., Inc., 162 Wn.2d 59, 74, 170 P.3d 10 (2007).

11 No. 74264-7-1/12

Whether a particular action constitutes a CPA violation is reviewable as a

question of law.30

The only CPA claims that we consider are those made against MERS and

Deutsche Bank.

MERS

Cummings claims that the purported assignment by MERS of its

"beneficial interest" under the deed of trust is presumptively deceptive. We must

agree.

Here, MERS purported to assign its "beneficial interest" in the note and

deed of trust to Deutsche Bank by an instrument dated October 6, 2011. But

MERS never held the note in which it claims an interest. Deutsche Bank held the

note at all times material to the foreclosure. And MERS never had a beneficial

interest in the deed of trust.

As our supreme court explained in Bain, "characterizing MERS as the

beneficiary has the capacity to deceive."31 Thus, that court held that listing

MERS in the deed of trust as a beneficiary is presumptively deceptive.

Deutsche Bank and MERS respond to this argument by pointing to Bain's

holding that "the mere fact MERS is listed on the deed of trust as a beneficiary is

not itself an actionable injury."32 While this is true inasmuch as a claimant must

30 Leingang v. Pierce County Med. Bureau, Inc., 131 Wn.2d 133, 150, 930 P.2d 288 (1997).

31 175Wn.2dat117.

32 Id. at 120.

12 No. 74264-7-1/13

also show a separate injury, it does not alter the presumption that MERS acts

deceptively when it improperly lists itself as having a "beneficial interest" under a

deed of trust where it has no such interest.

Bain controls this issue. We are constrained to conclude that MERS

representing that it has a "beneficial interest" under a deed of trust in a recorded

assignment of that deed of trust that gives notice of its contents is presumptively

deceptive.

But that conclusion does not end our inquiry. Cummings must also show

a genuine issue of material fact as to causation. They have not.

Deutsche Bank is the holder of the note. As we previously discussed, the

deed of trust and the power to enforce it follow the note.33 Here, Deutsche

Bank's possession of the note, and not any purported assignment by MERS,

gave Deutsche Bank the power to foreclose. Thus, there is no injury causally

connected to the purported assignment by MERS.

The absence of a genuine issue of material fact as to this necessary

element makes all other factual issues for the other elements of the CPA claim

immaterial for summary judgment purposes. The trial court properly granted

summary judgment in favor of MERS on this claim.

Deutsche Bank

Cummings also challenges Deutsche Bank's actions in appointing NWTS

as successor trustee, arguing that the appointment violated the CPA as an unfair

33 jd, at 104. See also Stoebuck &Weaver, supra, §18.18; Nelson & Whitman, supra. 5.28.

13 No. 74264-7-1/14

and deceptive act. They mount two arguments to support this contention. First,

Cummings argues that such conduct was impermissible because Deutsche Bank

only held the note. As discussed throughout this opinion, the power to enforce a

note and deed of trust derives from possession of the note. This first challenge

fails.

Second, Cummings argues that Deutsche Bank could not appoint the

successor trustee through use of an agent, SPS. Even if Deutsche Bank could

use an agent, Cummings alleges that SPS was not an agent but instead an

independent contractor. Cummings argues a beneficiary cannot act through an

independent contractor.

The supreme court has explicitly permitted the use of agents in appointing

a successor trustee.34 Thus, Cummings's argument on this point lacks merit.

A beneficiary cannot employ an independent contractor to appoint a

successor trustee so that such beneficiary remains accountable for its conduct.35

In Ruckerv. NovaStar Mortgage, Inc., we concluded that a beneficiary does not

make another party its agent by an agreement explicitly "intended by the parties

to be that of an independent contractor and not that of a joint venture, partner or

agent."36

34 Id at 106.

35 Ruckerv. NovaStar Mortg., Inc., 177 Wn. App. 1, 16,311 P.3d 31 (2013).

36 Id, at 15-16 (emphasis omitted).

14 No. 74264-7-1/15

Here, SPS was not an independent contractor. On June 5, 2014,

Deutsche Bank executed an agreement granting limited power of attorney to

SPS to make certain carefully specified transactions. The agreement authorizes

SPS to take such actions "in the name" of Deutsche Bank, the principal. It

specifies that SPS's authority is limited to its enumerated transactions and does

not extend to a general power of attorney. It does not authorize SPS to conduct

litigation in Deutsche Bank's name.

As such, this agreement is unlike that in Rucker. That case has no

bearing here.

Cummings has failed to show a genuine issue of material fact that

Deutsche Bank violated the CPA. The bank is entitled to judgment as a matter of

law.

We affirm the order granting summary judgment to Deutsche Bank and

MERS.

C&KfT*

WE CONCUR: