In an earlier precedent setting ruling, the bankruptcy court held that a bank’s temporary freeze on its depositor’s accounts did not violate the bankruptcy court’s automatic stay in a Chapter 7 proceeding. Here, the Bank of Newport had a standing policy that upon notice of a checking account customer filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, the funds on […]

Court denies reinstatement of lien denied in this case when CoreStates Bank inadvertently released a secured lien it held on debtor’s Mercedes automobile. The release took place after the debtor filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. CoreStates attempted to reinstate the lien and requested the bankruptcy court to enforce imposition of the mistakenly released lien. The bankruptcy court […]

In this case, the debtor executed a promissory note and security agreement granting Continental Bank a security interest in certain collateral which would also secure future advances. The agreement provides, in pertinent part: To secure payment of all loans made and to be made by the bank to borrower and to secure all other indebtedness […]

Here, the court held that the insurance company could not recover funds it paid to the Credit Union as an insured party on stolen collateral, even though the debtor’s insurance claim was fraudulent. The Credit Union was not aware the claim was fraudulent when it received the funds and was, therefore, entitled to those funds. […]

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 […]

Debtors’ residence was in a mortgage foreclosure when, after the foreclosure judgment but prior to the sheriff’s sale, the debtors filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The debtors’ Chapter 13 Plan provided for curing the prepetition arrearage over the term of the Chapter 13 plan and also provided for regular monthly payments on the mortgage after […]

In the case of David Scoggin vs. Listerhill Employees Credit Union, the Alabama Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling in favor of the credit union. Here, the credit union repossessed a member’s Dodge Dynasty and sold the vehicle at auction for the highest bid of $5,000. The vehicle’s odometer displayed mileage of 18,334 miles, however, […]

In this case, an Ohio Bankruptcy Court held that a creditor’s lien noted on an automobile’s certificate of title had priority over a subsequent artisan’s lien obtained by a repair shop. Here, the debtors pledged their automobile as security for a loan. The lien was properly placed on the vehicle’s title. Thereafter, the vehicle was repaired […]

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 […]

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.   […]