JPMorgan Chase Bank, Natl. Assn. v. Fallon , 2014 Ohio 525 ( 2014 )

[Cite as JPMorgan Chase Bank, Natl. Assn. v. Fallon, 2014-Ohio-525.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
PICKAWAY COUNTY
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, :
Plaintiff-Appellee, :
Case No. 13CA3
v. :
DECISION AND
SCOTT T. FALLON,1 ET AL., : JUDGMENT ENTRY
Defendants-Appellants. : RELEASED 02/10/2014
APPEARANCES:
John Sherrod, Mills, Mills, Fiely & Lucas, LLC, Columbus, Ohio, for Appellants.
Thomas Wyatt Palmer and David J. Carey, Thompson Hine LLP, Columbus, Ohio, and Stephen
D. Williger, Thompson Hine LLP, Cleveland, Ohio, for Appellee.
Hoover, J.
{¶ 1} Scott and Kimberly Fallon appeal the judgment of the Pickaway County Common
Pleas Court, which awarded summary judgment pursuant to Civ.R. 56 to appellee, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, National Association (“Chase”). For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. Factual & Procedural Background
{¶ 2} On February 25, 2003, Scott and Kimberly Fallon signed a promissory note for
$124,700. The note was secured by a mortgage on the Fallons’ property located at 8896 State
Route 188, Circleville, Ohio. While the lender of the note was Direction Mortgage Company
1
The parties use the caption “Scott J. Fallon, et al.,” in their respective briefs. However, it is this Court’s practice to
use the same case caption as used by the trial court in the entry being appealed.
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 2
(“Direction”), Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”) was listed as the
mortgagee on the mortgage, as nominee for Direction and its successors and assigns. On
February 25, 2003, Direction endorsed the note in favor of Flagstar Bank, FSB (“Flagstar”). A
second, undated endorsement appears below the Flagstar endorsement, as follows:
PAY TO THE ORDER OF
WITHOUT RECOURSE
FLAGSTAR BANK, FSB
The second endorsement is signed by what appears to be two representatives of Flagstar. On
August 18, 2011, MERS assigned the mortgage to Chase.
{¶ 3} On September 30, 2011, Chase filed a complaint in foreclosure against the Fallons,
and others not parties to this appeal, alleging that it was a person entitled to enforce the note and
that the Fallons were in default on the note and mortgage. Attached to the complaint were copies
of the note, the mortgage, the mortgage assignment, and a preliminary judicial report. The
Fallons answered the complaint and denied all of Chase’s allegations. On September 25, 2012,
Chase filed a motion for summary judgment. Attached to its motion, Chase submitted the
affidavit of Lanier M. Jeffrey (“Jeffrey”). In the affidavit, Jeffrey averred that: (1) he was an
employee of Chase in the capacity of “Vice President,” (2) Chase’s records contain “a Note
executed by Scott T. Fallon [and] Kimberly J. Fallon,” (3) he reviewed business records related
to the Fallons’ loan, including “the Note” and “Mortgage,” “[t]rue and exact copies” of which
were attached to the affidavit, (4) Chase “holds the Note,” (5) his affidavit was based on a review
of business records relating to the Fallons’ loan and on his own personal knowledge, and (6) the
Fallons were in default on the note and mortgage, and owed $111,533.74, together with interest
at the rate of 6.25 percent per year from July 1, 2010, plus advances for taxes and insurance.
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 3
Attached to the affidavit were copies of the note and the mortgage. The mortgage assignment
was also attached to Chase’s motion for summary judgment.
{¶ 4} The Fallons filed a memorandum in opposition to summary judgment; and Chase
filed a reply memorandum. On November 15, 2012, the trial court granted summary judgment in
favor of Chase. This appeal followed.
II. Assignment of Error
{¶ 5} The Fallons assert the following sole assignment of error:
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING APPELLEE’S MOTION FOR
SUMMARY JUDGMENT BECAUSE APPELLEE WAS NOT A PARTY
ENTITLED TO ENFORCE THE PROMISSORY NOTE COVERING
APPELLANTS’ PROPERTY AND BECAUSE ITS SUMMARY JUDGMENT
AFFIANT DID NOT PROPERLY AUTHENTICATE THE NOTE OR
SUPPORT THE ATTESTATION IT WAS THE HOLDER OF THE NOTE.
III. Analysis
A. Standard of Review
{¶ 6} We review the trial court’s decision on a motion for summary judgment de novo.
Smith v. McBride, 130 Ohio St.3d 51, 2011-Ohio-4674, 955 N.E.2d 954, ¶ 12. Accordingly, we
afford no deference to the trial court’s decision and independently review the record and the
inferences that can be drawn from it to determine whether summary judgment is appropriate.
Harter v. Chillicothe Long-Term Care, Inc., 4th Dist. Ross No. 11CA3277, 2012-Ohio-2464, ¶
12; Grimes v. Grimes, 4th Dist. Washington No. 08CA35, 2009-Ohio-3126, ¶ 16.
{¶ 7} Summary judgment is appropriate only when the following have been established:
(1) that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact; (2) that the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law; and (3) that reasonable minds can come to only one conclusion, and
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 4
that conclusion is adverse to the nonmoving party. Civ.R. 56(C); DIRECTV, Inc. v. Levin, 128
Ohio St.3d 68, 2010-Ohio-6279, 941 N.E.2d 1187, ¶ 15. In ruling on a motion for summary
judgment, the court must construe the record and all inferences therefrom in the nonmoving
party’s favor. Civ.R. 56(C). The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden to
demonstrate that no genuine issues of material fact exist and that they are entitled to judgment in
their favor as a matter of law. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292-293, 662 N.E.2d 264(1996). To meet its burden, the moving party must specifically refer to “the pleadings,
depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence,
and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action,” that affirmatively demonstrate
that the nonmoving party has no evidence to support the nonmoving party’s claims. Civ.R.
56(C); Dresher at 293, 662 N.E.2d 264. Moreover, the trial court may consider evidence not
expressly mentioned in Civ.R. 56(C) if such evidence is incorporated by reference in a properly
framed affidavit pursuant to Civ.R. 56(E). Discover Bank v. Combs, 4th Dist. Pickaway No.
11CA25, 2012-Ohio-3150, ¶ 17; Wagner v. Young, 4th Dist. Athens No. CA1435, 1990 WL
119247, *4 (Aug. 8, 1990). Once that burden is met, the nonmoving party then has a reciprocal
burden to set forth specific facts to show that there is a genuine issue for trial. Dresher at 293,
662 N.E.2d 264; Civ.R. 56(E).
B. Chase’s Status as Note and Mortgage Holder
{¶ 8} The Fallons argue that the trial court’s award of summary judgment was
inappropriate because Chase failed to demonstrate that it is the real party in interest. Specifically,
the Fallons contend that neither the face of the note, nor the Jeffrey affidavit establish that Chase
is the current holder of the note. We disagree.
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 5
{¶ 9} “Every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest.” Civ.R.
17(A). A real party in interest is one who is directly benefitted or injured by the outcome of the
case. Shealy v. Campbell, 20 Ohio St.3d 23, 24, 485 N.E.2d 701 (1985). The purpose behind the
real party in interest requirement is “ ‘to enable the defendant to avail himself of evidence and
defenses that the defendant has against the real party in interest, and to assure him finality of the
judgment, and that he will be protected against another suit brought by the real party at interest
on the same matter.’ ” Id. at 24-25, quoting In re Highland Holiday Subdivision, 27 Ohio App.2d
237, 240, 273 N.E.2d 903 (4th Dist.1971).
{¶ 10} “In foreclosure actions, the real party in interest is the current holder of the note
and mortgage.” Everhome Mtge. Co. v. Rowland, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 07AP-615, 2008-Ohio-
1282, ¶ 12. “The failure to prove itself as the real party in interest creates a genuine issue of
material fact that precludes summary judgment.” HSBC Mtge. Servs., Inc. v. Edmon, 6th Dist.
Erie No. E-11-046, 2012-Ohio-4990, ¶ 25, citing First Union Natl. Bank v. Hufford, 146 Ohio
App.3d 673, 679-680, 767 N.E.2d 1206 (3rd Dist.2001); see also U.S. Bank Natl. Assn. v.
Marcino, 181 Ohio App.3d 328, 2009-Ohio-1178, 908 N.E.2d 1032, ¶ 32 (7th Dist.) (“Where a
party fails to establish itself as the current holder of the note and mortgage, summary judgment is
inappropriate”).
{¶ 11} “Ohio’s version of the Uniform Commercial Code governs who may enforce a
note. R.C. 1301.01 et seq. Article 3 of the UCC governs the creation, transfer and enforceability
of negotiable instruments, including promissory notes secured by mortgages on real estate.”
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 6
Edmon at ¶ 26, citing Fed. Land Bank of Louisville v. Taggart, 31 Ohio St.3d 8, 10, 508 N.E.2d
152 (1987).2
{¶ 12} Under the code, a “person entitled to enforce” an instrument includes the holder
of the instrument. R.C. § 1303.31. “Holder,” meanwhile, means either of the following:
(a) If the instrument is payable to bearer, a person who is in possession of the
instrument;
(b) If the instrument is payable to an identified person, the identified person when
in possession of the instrument.
R.C. § 1301.01(T)(1). Thus, to be a “holder” a party must be in possession of the instrument that
is either payable to the party in possession (specifically endorsed), or payable to bearer (blank
endorsement3).
{¶ 13} In the case sub judice, we agree with the Fallons that the face of the note does not
establish Chase as the note holder. The most recent endorsement was a blank endorsement4; and
thus, holder status is determined by possession of the note. It follows that possession cannot be
established by simply viewing the face of the note. See Deutsche Bank v. Holloway, 9th Dist.
Lorain No. 12CA010331, 2013-Ohio-5194, ¶ 8 (noting that because the note was endorsed in
2
R.C. 1301.01 was repealed by Am.H.B. No. 9, 2011 Ohio Laws File 9, effective June 29, 2011. That act amended
the provisions of R.C. 1301.01 and renumbered that section so that it now appears at R.C. 1301.201. Because R.C.
1301.201 only applies to transactions entered on or after June 29, 2011, we apply R.C. 1301.01 to this appeal.
3
“ ‘Blank indorsement’ means an instrument that is made by the holder of the instrument and that is not a special
indorsement. When an instrument is indorsed in blank, the instrument becomes payable to bearer and may be
negotiated by transfer of possession alone until specifically indorsed.” R.C. § 1303.25(B). A special endorsement is
an endorsement that identifies a person to whom it makes the instrument payable. R.C. § 1303.25(A).
4
The Fallons argue in their merit brief that the second, undated endorsement is actually a specific endorsement to
Flagstar; as opposed to a blank endorsement. However, a review of the note clearly demonstrates that the second
endorsement does not identify a specific payee, and is thus a blank endorsement. Moreover, the note had already
been specifically endorsed in favor of Flagstar by virtue of the first endorsement, and thus, it does not make sense
that Flagstar would endorse the note to itself via the second endorsement. Finally, the Fallons’ argument is mere
speculation and is not corroborated by any record evidence.
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 7
blank, it was not clear from the face of the note what entity was the holder). Nonetheless, and
contrary to the Fallons’ arguments, Chase established that it possesses the note, and thus is the
holder of the note, through the Jeffrey affidavit. Specifically, Jeffrey averred that he reviewed the
Chase business records pertaining to the loan and that the records “contain a Note executed by
Scott T. Fallon [and] Kimberly J. Fallon in the amount of $124.700.00 secured by a Mortgage on
a property located at 8896 State Route 188, Circleville, OH 43113.” Jeffrey further averred that
Chase “holds the Note.”
{¶ 14} In short, the Jeffrey affidavit along with the attached note established that
Direction specifically endorsed the note to Flagstar, and Flagstar subsequently endorsed the note
in blank. As Chase was in possession of the note containing a valid blank endorsement, Chase
was the holder of the note and was entitled to enforce it upon the Fallons’ default. See R.C. §
1303.31; R.C. § 1303.25(B). Moreover, in its motion for summary judgment, Chase attached a
copy of a duly executed assignment demonstrating that all interest in the mortgage of the subject
property had been assigned to it effective August 18, 2011. The assignment was recorded in the
Pickaway County Recorder’s Office on September 12, 2011. Thus, Chase is also the owner of
the mortgage.
C. Authentication of the Note
{¶ 15} The Fallons also argue - “irrespective” of the issue of whether Chase was a real
party in interest - that Chase failed to properly authenticate the note through the Jeffrey affidavit.
Specifically, the Fallons contend that the affidavit is fatally flawed because Jeffrey did not attest
that he compared “the Note” with the original, or explain why he could not.
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 8
{¶ 16} “To be considered in a summary judgment motion, Civ.R. 56(E) requires an
affidavit to be made on personal knowledge, set forth such facts as would be admissible in
evidence, and affirmatively show that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated in
the affidavit.” Fifth Third Mtge. Co. v. Bell, 12th Dist. Madison No. CA2013-02-003, 2013-
Ohio-3678, ¶ 27, citing Civ.R. 56(E); see also Wesley v. Walraven, 4th Dist. Washington No.
12CA18, 2013-Ohio-473, ¶ 24. “ ‘Absent evidence to the contrary, an affiant’s statement that
his affidavit is based on personal knowledge will suffice to meet the requirement of Civ.R.
56(E).’ ” Bell at ¶ 27, quoting Wells Fargo Bank v. Smith, 12th Dist. Brown No. CA2012-04-
006, 2013-Ohio-855, ¶ 16. “Additionally, documents referred to in an affidavit must be attached
and must be sworn or certified copies.” Id., citing Civ.R. 56(E). “Verification of these
documents is generally satisfied by an appropriate averment in the affidavit, for example, that
‘such copies are true copies and reproductions.’ ” Id., quoting State ex rel. Corrigan v.
Seminatore, 66 Ohio St.2d 459, 467, 423 N.E.2d 105 (1981); see also Walraven at ¶ 31 (“Civ.R.
56(E)’s requirement that sworn or certified copies of all papers referred to in the affidavit be
attached is satisfied by attaching the papers to the affidavit with a statement contained in the
affidavit that the copies are true and accurate reproductions.”)
{¶ 17} Here, we find that the Jeffrey affidavit set forth the necessary information to be
considered on summary judgment under Civ.R. 56(E). For instance, Jeffrey averred that through
his stated position as Vice President for Chase he had access to Chase’s business records. Jeffrey
also stated that “[t]he statements made in this Affidavit are based on my personal knowledge”
and that “I make this affidavit based upon my review of those records relating to the Borrower’s
loan and from my own personal knowledge of how they are kept and maintained.” Accordingly,
Jeffrey’s affidavit sufficiently established the personal knowledge and competency requirements.
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 9
In addition, and contrary to the Fallons’ assertions, the affidavit specifically stated that “Chase’s
records contain a Note executed by Scott T. Fallon [and] Kimberly J. Fallon in the amount of
$124,700.00 secured by a Mortgage on a property located at 8896 State Route 188, Circleville,
OH 43113[,]” that Jeffrey personally reviewed “the Note” and “Mortgage,” and that “[t]rue and
exact copies of the Note and Mortgage are attached [to the affidavit.]” These statements indicate
that Jeffrey compared the attached copy of the note to the original note contained in Chase’s
business records. Finally, the affidavit implicitly indicates that Chase is in possession of the note
as Jeffrey stated that the Chase records contain the note. Accordingly, Jeffrey was able to swear
to the authenticity of the note as required by Civ.R. 56(E).
{¶ 18} The Fallons argue that there is no way of telling whether “the Note” referred to
by Jeffrey is the original note, or a reproduction. Thus, they contend that Jeffrey could not attest
to the authenticity of the copy attached to the affidavit. This assertion, however, is speculative
and is not supported by any evidence that “the Note” is anything other than the original note. Put
simply, the Fallons have not met their reciprocal burden of providing sufficient rebuttal evidence
demonstrating that the copy of the note filed with the affidavit was not actually a true and exact
copy of the original.
IV. Conclusion
{¶ 19} Upon consideration of the entire record, we find that the trial court did not error
in granting summary judgment. Chase had sufficiently established itself as the holder of the note
and mortgage and was therefore entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Furthermore, Chase did
properly authenticate the note attached to the summary judgment affidavit. Accordingly, the
Fallons’ sole assignment of error is overruled.
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 10
{¶ 20} Having conducted a de novo review and finding no error prejudicial to the
Fallons, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Pickaway App. No. 13CA3 11
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED. Appellants shall pay the costs herein
taxed.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Pickaway County
Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of
Appellate Procedure.
Abele, P.J. & McFarland, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
By:
Marie Hoover, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the
time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.