Seattle-First National Bank v. West Coast Rubber, Inc.

705 P.2d 800, 41 Wash. App. 604
CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedAugust 26, 1985
DocketNo. 12624-5-I
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 705 P.2d 800 (Seattle-First National Bank v. West Coast Rubber, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Seattle-First National Bank v. West Coast Rubber, Inc., 705 P.2d 800, 41 Wash. App. 604 (Wash. Ct. App. 1985).

Opinion

Williams, J.

Seattle-First National Bank brought this action to recover on a promissory note executed by West Coast Rubber, Inc., a general guaranty of the corporation's debts executed by John Zamelis, and a $25,000 limited guaranty of the corporation's debts executed by Hugh Townsend. Sea-First also sought attorney fees. Townsend counterclaimed for damages for breach of the limited guaranty and violation of the Consumer Protection Act, RCW 19.86, and for attorney fees. Default judgments were entered against West Coast and Zamelis. After a trial to the court, sitting without a jury, judgment was entered against Townsend in the amount of $30,613.70 ($25,000 principal plus $5,613.70 interest). Sea-First's claim for attorney fees was rejected. Townsend appeals, and Sea-First cross-appeals.

In July 1977, Sea-First issued a $100,000 letter of credit [606]*606to West Coast with an expiration date of April 18, 1978. In return, West Coast pledged a security interest in its accounts receivable and inventory and gave a second deed of trust on real property in Forks, Washington. Shareholders Sam Lincoln, his wife and John Zamelis signed general guaranties of the corporation's debts; shareholder Townsend signed a $25,000 limited guaranty of those debts. See appendix. Townsend also delivered 26 $1,000 bearer bonds to Sea-First as collateral for his guaranty.

On April 10, 1978, West Coast drew on its letter of credit by requesting Sea-First to issue a check for $56,339.19 to Seiberling Tire Company. West Coast gave a promissory note to Sea-First in that amount. On April 18, 1978, West Coast again drew on its letter of credit by requesting Sea-First to issue a check for $31,883.03 to Seiberling. West Coast gave a promissory note to Sea-First in that amount. On May 22, 1978, West Coast consolidated its debts under the letter of credit by executing a promissory note to Sea-First in the amount of $61,190.95. The final payment on this note was due on September 5, 1978.

On June 21, 1978, Townsend sent a letter to Sea-First saying in pertinent part:

As your file and information shows and as was the intention of the parties my $25,000 guaranty to the bank was limited only to the commercial letter of credit and terms expressed in the application was the only basis of the guaranty. I am of the opinion that the obligation established at that time, namely, July 14, 1977 was fully paid, discharged and replaced in complete substitution by the promissory note accepted by the bank from West Coast Rubber Inc. on May 22, 1978 and maturing on September 5, 1978 thereby relieving me and my bonds from any further obligation also.

Defendant's exhibit 12.

In October 1978, the Lincolns, in return for a release from their guaranty, borrowed $20,000 from Sea-First on a note and second deed of trust on their house. This money was used to reduce West Coast's indebtedness. At the same time, Sea-First released its security interest in West [607]*607Coast's accounts receivable and inventory. On October 6, 1978, West Coast executed a promissory note in the amount of $44,137.04, with the final payment due on January 15, 1984. This note replaced the May 22, 1978 note of $61,190.95, reflecting payments and adjustments made during that period. West Coast defaulted, and Sea-First brought this action on February 15, 1980. By letter (see appendix), Townsend tendered $25,000, and Sea-First returned his bonds.

The first issue is whether Townsend's liability is based on West Coast's promissory note dated October 6, 1978, and his limited guaranty. Townsend contends that the note was never introduced into evidence, the trial court made no findings regarding the validity of the obligations represented by the note, it was executed after Townsend "rescinded" his limited guaranty, and it was executed after the letter of credit expired.

Where a guaranty does not refer to any particular note, the language of the guaranty alone determines the obligation guaranteed. North Am. Bond & Mortgage Co. v. Twohy, 159 Wash. 442, 447, 293 P. 717 (1930). The limited guaranty does not refer to any note, but states that Townsend "guaranteefs] payment to the Bank of all liabilities and indebtedness which the Customer [West Coast] has incurred or is under or may incur or be under to the Bank." Thus, Sea-First was required to prove only the validity of the limited guaranty and the indebtedness of West Coast to it. The evidence clearly established both of these propositions.

The second issue is whether Townsend rescinded the limited guaranty by his letter of June 21, 1978. The letter does not purport to rescind the limited guaranty. Moreover, even if it could be so construed, Townsend had no grounds for rescission. See A. Stearns, Suretyship § 7.8, at 207 (5th ed. 1951). Under the terms of the limited guaranty, the letter was notice to the bank to make no further advances on the security of Townsend's limited guaranty, and the bank so understood it.

[608]*608The third issue is whether the limited guaranty was abrogated by the bank's taking the October 6, 1978, note as evidence of the amount due, and releasing the other guarantors, the Lincolns and Zamelis, and the collateral without Townsend's consent. In the limited guaranty, Townsend agreed that "[t]he Bank shall not be bound to exhaust its recourse nor to take any action against the Customer or other parties or on the collateral it may hold before being entitled to payment by the undersigned ..." He also agreed "to remain bound notwithstanding any extensions or renewals of any indebtedness or the liabilities hereby guaranteed or any part thereof," and consented "to the Bank to make such renewals and extensions as the Bank at its option may choose to grant or accept; and . . . release any collateral which it may now or hereafter hold ..." Thus, all of the actions Sea-First took after receiving Townsend's letter were authorized by the limited guaranty and were directly related to the indebtedness arising from the letter of credit before the receipt of it.

The fourth issue is whether Townsend is liable for interest in excess of the $25,000 principal sum guaranteed. The limited guaranty provides, "[t]he liability of the undersigned at any one time hereunder is limited to the principal sum of Twenty-five Thousand ($25,000) Dollars, together with all interest due or to become due thereon to the Bank." Townsend was liable for interest on the principal amount upon West Coast's default, notice of which had been waived in the limited guaranty. Rainier Nat'l Bank v. Clausing, 34 Wn. App. 441, 447, 661 P.2d 1015 (1983); see also National Bank v. Equity Investors, 81 Wn.2d 886, 918, 506 P.2d 20 (1973).

As to the time of the default, the evidence established that West Coast made three monthly payments on the October 6, 1978 note, the first payment being due on January 15, 1979. Thus, West Coast became in default on April 16, 1979.

Because the limited guaranty does not specify a rate of interest, either directly or by reference, Townsend is liable [609]*609for interest at the legal rate. 38 C.J.S. Guaranty

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705 P.2d 800, 41 Wash. App. 604, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/seattle-first-national-bank-v-west-coast-rubber-inc-washctapp-1985.