Bankrupt Debtor may only redeem collateral in one payment. Redemption installment payments prohibited if debtor elects to retain vehicle.     Here, debtor sought to redeem Ford Motor Credit collateral by paying installment payments for the value of the vehicle, instead of one lump-sum redemption payment. Section 722 of the Bankruptcy Code provides, in pertinent part: An individual debtor may, whether or not the […]

In this case, a jury awarded the debtor $46,225 plus punitive damages of $100,000. Here, Pioneer Savings loaned $39,000 to Lannigan secured by the debtor’s real estate. The initial interest rate was “8 1/2%”. The loan documentation provided that Pioneer: … may hereafter decrease said interest rate and may also increase the rate upon giving […]

Defective Notice of Right to Cancel results in Truth in Lending Violation and extends borrowers right to rescind. Here, New Maine National Bank granted a loan to the debtors secured by debtors’ residence. At the closing of the loan, the loan officer supplied the debtors with a “Notice of Right to Cancel” (hereinafter “Notice”). Pursuant to the […]

Federal Regulation B entitles borrower to copy of real estate appraisal. Regulation B Amendments define the coverage of the appraisal requirements to be loans secured by a lien on a residential structure containing one-to-four units.  The regulation provides alternative methods of compliance with the law. Creditors may choose to automatically provide a copy of appraisal […]

Credit Union Home Equity Mortgages and deeds-of-trust of any nature are generally junior in position to a first mortgage/lien holder. As such, the credit union can and should protect its Home Equity portfolio as securely as possible from collateral damage if a first mortgage proceeds into foreclosure. Question: Will the credit union receive a notice if the […]

In this case, Wachovia Bank of North Carolina held a mortgage on environmentally contaminated property. The mortgage went into default and the bank foreclosed on the property, purchasing the property at the sheriff’s sale. The bank then sold the property to purchasers who later sued the bank since the property was contaminated. The Comprehensive Environmental […]

Here, DeKaalb County Farm Bureau Cooperative Association Credit Union had three mortgages on two different pieces of the members’ real estate. The Credit Union instituted foreclosure on one of its mortgages secured by real estate that the debtors were leasing to another party. In the foreclosure action, the Credit Union requested the trial court to […]

Here, the Court considered whether a debtor may keep property secured by a mortgage to the credit union even if the debtor does not either reaffirm, surrender or redeem the obligation.   In this case, GNC Credit Union held a mortgage issued by the debtors and secured by their home. The balance on the loan was […]

Here, Dutch Point Credit Union’s perfected security interest was extinquished upon the sale its collateral by a automobile repair facility.    The credit union granted a loan secured by debtor’s Datsun automobile. The credit union properly placed its lien on the vehicle. After the loan was granted, the vehicle was in an accident during the same year.   […]

Here, Progressive Credit Union was held liable for more than $158,000.00 when the credit union granted a secured loan to a member and did not pay off a prior lienholder.  The appellate court found the credit union liable to the former lienholder. When Progressive Credit Union granted this loan, it searched the county and state lien records and […]