SEC Corroborates Livinglies Position on Third Party Payment While Texas BKR Judge Disallows Assignments After Cut-Off Date

SEC Corroborates Livinglies Position on Third Party Payment While Texas BKR Judge Disallows Assignments After Cut-Off Date

By Neil Garfield
Garfield Gwaltney Kelley and White | LivingLies

Maybe this should have been divided into three articles:

Saldivar: Texas BKR Judge finds Assignment Void not voidable. It never happened.
Erobobo: NY Judge rules ownership of note is burden of the banks. Not standing but rather capacity to sue without injury.
SEC Orders Credit Suisse to disgorge illegal profits back to investors. Principal balances of borrowers may be reduced. Defaults might not exist because notices contain demands that include money held by banks that should have been paid to investors.

But these decisions are so interrelated and their effect so far-reaching that it seems to me that if you read only one of them you might head off in the wrong direction. Pay careful attention to the Court’s admonition in Erobobo that these defenses can be waived unless timely raised. Use the logic of these decisions and you will find more and more judges listening with increasing care. The turning point is arriving and foreclosures — past, present and future — might finally get the review and remedies that are required in a nation of laws.

Continue reading “SEC Corroborates Livinglies Position on Third Party Payment While Texas BKR Judge Disallows Assignments After Cut-Off Date”

Full Day CLE Workshop Seminar: New Tools & Strategies for Distressed Homeowners

Full Day CLE Workshop Seminar: New Tools & Strategies for Distressed Homeowners

By Daniel Edstrom
DTC Systems, Inc.

8/25/2012 – Emeryville, CA – Full Day CLE Workshop Seminar: New Tools & Strategies for Distressed Homeowners

August 25th, 2012 – in San Francisco, California

Venue is the Hyatt House in Emeryville, CA http://emeryville.house.hyatt.com

This workshop has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) by the State Bar of California. Total credit hours approved are 6.75 hours.

SECURE DOCUMENT RESEARCH<br>Auburn, CA 95603; ph: 530.888.9600

DTC Systems, Inc.

[email protected]

http://www.dtc-systems.net

Presented by:
Secure Document Research and DTC Systems, Inc.

http://www.dtc-systems.net

in Association with the Garfield Continuum and Neil F. Garfield, Esq. http://livinglies.wordpress.com

Visit us at http://www.dtc-systems.net

If you have any problems paying for this event, you can also pay by sending PayPal payments directly to [email protected]

Problems Registering? Call 530.888.9600

Presented by:
Secure Document Research and DTC Systems, Inc. in Association with the Garfield Continuum and Neil F. Garfield, Esq.
REGISTER EARLY, LIMITED SEATING IS AVAILABLE

Workshop Information
This is a comprehensive 1-day workshop CLE seminar for lawyers and paralegals: Deny and Discover: New Tools & Strategies for Distressed Homeowners

This workshop has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) by the State Bar of California. Total credit hours approved are 6.75 hours.

Speakers:

1. James Macklin

Owner of Secure Document Research providing Securitization Research and Analysis. While working briefly within the securities industry, Mr Macklin has been focused on the study of economics and macro-economics for over fifteen years, gathering professional insight into Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Financial Accounting Standards, business ethics, securitization and the effects of “Control Fraud” (William Black, Professor; U.M.K.C.,) on market analysis. Mr. Macklin is now committed to the education, en mass, of the legal industry as a tool for the protection of rights of the under-sophisticated investing and borrowing public at large. James Macklin has over 10,000 hours of research into Securitization, Title and Publicly Recorded Instruments.
[email protected]

2. Daniel Edstrom

President of DTC Systems, Inc, having been in Information Technology for the last 18 years as a Systems Architect and Software Architect.The transformation of complex business requirements to complex Wall Street Engineering was an easy one. Securitization Expert, Daniel Edstrom analyzes complex financial engineering securitization transactions as well as providing a failure analysis, with well over 10,000 hours of research into Securitization and Title. Besides working for his own company, Daniel is a Senior Securitization Analyst for the Garfield Firm (www.garfieldfirm.com). [email protected]

3. Neil Garfield

Neil F. Garfield, M.B.A., J.D., 61, is the winner of dozens of academic awards, a popular speaker, and author of technical treatises on law and economics. He has come out of retirement with a bang and financial institutions should take note. He knows them from the inside-out, who the deciders are, and how they arrived at a catastrophic scheme to defraud people, agencies, institutions and governments all over the world. For more information on Neil Garfield visit his website at www.livinglies.wordpress.com

4. Daniel Hanecak

Daniel Hanecak, B.A. J.D., will be speaking on motion practice and recent court experience. Mr. Hanecak is licensed in California and specializes in complex real property litigation. Mr. Hanecak is currently representing homeowners against banks and mortgage servicers for fraud and wrongful foreclosure.

*Both James Macklin and Daniel Edstrom are not attorneys.

THIS WORKSHOP AND/OR ANY MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED AT THE WORKSHOP IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE FROM LOCAL COUNSEL LICENSED TO PRACTICE IN THE COUNTY AND STATE WHERE THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED. The information presented is for general information for you to understand the current context of foreclosures and to enable you to ask relevant questions of an attorney of your choosing. Any opinions presented here, along with facts, cases, examples or arguments, may not apply to your case. You should consult with local licensed counsel before employing them.

Venue:

Venue is the Hyatt House in Emeryville, CA

http://emeryville.house.hyatt.com

Registration:
Pre-Registration is required and can be done on this website or over the phone at 530.888.9600, with payment by PayPal to [email protected]. Tickets will be emailed after payment is completed.

Pricing:
$497.00 for the one day workshop.

This workshop has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) by the State Bar of California. Total credit hours approved are 6.75 hours.

Workshop Agenda

8:30–9:15 Introduction: James Macklin / Daniel Edstrom

9:15–10:00 The Securitization Process and Chain of Title: James Macklin

10:00–10:15 Morning Break

10:15–11:00 Prospectus, Pooling/Servicing and Trust Agreements: James Macklin

11:00–11:45 Discovery / Procedure: Neil F. Garfield, J.D., M.B.A.

11:45 to 1:00 Lunch

1:00–1:45 Proprietary Currency, Appraisals and Ratings: Neil F. Garfield, J.D., M.B.A.

1:45–2:30 Law and Motion Practice / Recent Courtroom Experience: Daniel Hanecak, Esq.

2:30–2:45 Afternoon Break

2:45–3:30 Credit Enhancements in Action: Daniel Edstrom

3:30–4:15 Panel Q&A

** Schedule subject to change without notice **

BB&T Fraudulently Declares Default – Florida Court Orders FDIC Payments From Loss-Share Agreements to be Credited to Borrowers Loan

BB&T Fraudulently Declares Default – Florida Court Orders FDIC Payments From Loss-Share Agreements to be Credited to Borrowers Loan

By Daniel Edstrom
DTC Systems, Inc.

Thanks to Neil F. Garfield and the LivingLies Blog for this ruling. The following are excerpts from Judge Levens orders.

Findings of Fact

This case involves a $5,182,128.00 commercial loan made by Colonial Bank to Kraz for the purpose of building and developing a mini-storage and flex space warehouse in Hillsborough County, Florida. Kearney and Harris signed limited personal guaranties of payment and performance and injected in excess of 2 million dollars of cash/equity into the venture. This subject loan was one of several loans made by Colonial Bank to Kearney and Harris and related entities with multiple other guarantors, but the subject loan was not tied to or related to any other such loans.

The terms of the subject loan provided for payment of interest only for the first twentyfour (24) months. Plaintiff was required to provide written notice of the change from interest-only payments to principal-and-interest payment, but, for whatever reason, Plaintiff never provided such notice. Colonial, due to its own internal financial distress, and while Defendants were current on all payments, began improperly demanding that Defendants make curtailment payments on the loan. Colonial improperly based such curtailment demands on the status of other, unrelated loans (which happened to have a variety of principals, obligators, guarantors, etc.).

Colonial was shut down by the Alabama State Banking Department and the FDIC was appointed its Receiver. The FDIC then assigned and sold the assets of Colonial to Plaintiff through a Purchase and Assumption Agreement (“PSA”), which makes Plaintiff the lawful owner and holder of the subject loan documents.

The evidence adduced at trial and considered by the court demonstrated that Plaintiff breached it duties of good faith and fair dealing in its contractual relationship with Defendants. The evidence also demonstrated that Plaintiff was motivated to behave in such as manner as a direct result of the PSA; that is, Plaintiff stood to profit by declaring a fraudulent default under the subject loan, collecting from the FDIC under the PSA for such default, and then enforcing the subject loan against Defendants, and retaining the property until such time as a real estate turnaround occurred in hopes to dispose of the property at the peak of the market. In fact, Mr. Bruni testified that Plaintiff may have already applied to the FDIC for a loss share payment on this loan. And Defendants’ expert, Jim Howard, explained that it was possible Plaintiff could have already applied for and received a payment from the FDIC on this loan, perhaps in an amount as high as $1,800,000.00. Notably, Plaintiff nowhere credited such potential payment from the FDIC against the amounts sought in the instant litigation; thereby giving the impression that Plaintiff might be “double dipping”, and possibly “triple dipping” if market conditions favorably change and the property likewise increases in value. Continue reading “BB&T Fraudulently Declares Default – Florida Court Orders FDIC Payments From Loss-Share Agreements to be Credited to Borrowers Loan”

All Causes of Action Survive Motion to Dismiss in California Federal Case Against Bank of America

All Causes of Action Survive Motion to Dismiss in California Federal Case Against Bank of America

By Daniel Edstrom
DTC Systems, Inc.

Thanks to Brian Davies for this one. Prosper Law Group’s complaint in Johnson vs. HSBC Bank USA, NA as Trustee for the Ellington Trust Series 2007-1, Bank of America, NA and does 1 – 10 inclusive contains 7 causes of action. The conclusion and order from Federal Judge Jeffrey T. Miller is:

For the reasons stated above, the motion to dismiss is DENIED. Defendants’ motion has failed to demonstrate that Plaintiff’s claims were implausible or precluded as a matter of law.

The following is an excerpt, but the rest is great reading also.

Excerpt

A. Viability of Attack on Loan Securitization
1. Ability to Challenge Loan Securitization
The threshold issue of whether Plaintiff can make any claim related to the loan’s securitization affects the viability of many of the individual claims discussed below. BOA cites Rodenhurst v. Bank of America, 773 F.Supp.2d 886, 899 (D. Haw. 2011) for its statement that “[t]he overwhelming authority does not support a cause of action based upon improper securitization.” However, the discussion cited in that case centers on plaintiffs who claim that securitization itself violates the agreement between the mortgagor and mortgagee. Here, Plaintiff does not dispute the right to securitize the mortgage, but alleges that as a result of improper procedures, the true owner of his mortgage is unclear. As a result, he has allegedly been paying improper entities an excess amount. Continue reading “All Causes of Action Survive Motion to Dismiss in California Federal Case Against Bank of America”

INVESTORS COMING OUT OF THE SHADOWS: BANKS’ WORST NIGHTMARE

INVESTORS COMING OUT OF THE SHADOWS: BANKS’ WORST NIGHTMARE

By Neil F. Garfield
LivingLies.wordpress.com

http://livinglies.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/mbs-investors-in-revolt-ultimatums-to-us-bank-and-wells-fargo/

EDITOR’S ANALYSIS: For those who have followed this Blog for any length of time, this news will come as no surprise. Ultimately, the proof and the relief sought by homeowners will come from investors who demand answers to what happened to their money when they purchased mortgage backed securities and pooled their money to fund mortgages.

The result is a pincer action, to put it military terms, where the creditors and the debtors are making the same allegations against the intermediaries who stole from both sides, “borrowed” the loss to claim Federal bailout money, and left both sides holding the bag. Continue reading “INVESTORS COMING OUT OF THE SHADOWS: BANKS’ WORST NIGHTMARE”

OCC Guidance on Potential Issues With Foreclosed Residential Properties

Guidance on Potential Issues With Foreclosed Residential Properties

By Daniel Edstrom
DTC Systems, Inc.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued the following guidance in respect to foreclosed properties:

OCC 2011-49
Subject: Foreclosed Properties

Date: December 14, 2011

To: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks and Federal Savings Associations, Department and Division Heads, and All Examining Personnel

Description: Guidance on Potential Issues With Foreclosed Residential Properties

Background
In the current economic environment, national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) are facing challenges resulting from unprecedented numbers of troubled residential mortgage loans. Foreclosures on residential properties also are occurring in unprecedented numbers and are projected to continue this trend in the near term. Among the many consequences of high levels of foreclosures are growing inventories of foreclosed residential and commercial properties. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is providing guidance to banks on obligations and risks related to foreclosed property. This guidance highlights legal, safety and soundness, and community impact considerations.1 It primarily focuses on residential foreclosed properties, but many of the same principles apply to commercial properties. Continue reading “OCC Guidance on Potential Issues With Foreclosed Residential Properties”

LAWYERS CLE WORKSHOP ON FORECLOSURE DEFENSE AND OFFENSE

LAWYERS CLE WORKSHOP ON FORECLOSURE DEFENSE AND OFFENSE

April 30 to May 1, 2011 – in Phoenix, Arizona

Venue is to be determined

Irreconcilable Differences… I want a Mortgage Divorce!

Irreconcilable Differences… I want a Mortgage Divorce!

By James Macklin
Secure Document Research

Promissory Note Terms Vs. PSA/Prosectus Terms

When we are handed a voluminous stack of documents at the closing table for our mortgage transaction, a Borrower is expected to make a decision based upon the duty and care that the party who drafted these “investment contracts” has placed into them. However, none of us at the closing table has any idea what most of the words, phrases, and legal terminologies actually means… especially those affecting our rights as a consumer and as a real property owner.
Within the typical language of a Pooling and Servicing Agreement executed by the players of the securitization financing, there are countless references to the “interests” of the asset being conveyed, or, your Note and Deed. Interests are a finicky word of art used. The word simply means this: the asset, along with all of its’ benefits and liabilities. These are the “interests” being conveyed with the sale, set-over, transfer, conveyance, etc. So, under the terms of the Note we signed, look to the section titled: “Who is obligated under the Note” (usually sec. nine (9)). Here you will find that myriad entities may be, and probably are, also obligated under this same Note. These are the terms you have agreed to and bargained for. But the banking intermediaries would have us believe otherwise, as exhibited in the PSA under such language as: “The Depositor, Sponsor/Seller, Swap Counterparty, Master Servicer, Trustee do not intend for any obligation of themselves or their agents or employees to arise as a result of this Agreement”. This is contradictive to the terms and conditions that we have agreed to. Because the intervening assignments are a functional necessity to the bankruptcy remoteness of these assets, the specific substance of the PSA must be followed, including the mandate for the indorsement of each intervening assignment, along with the recordation of those assignment in the proper land title records office within the State of jurisdiction.
Let’s go back to the language of the “Who is Obligated” section of our Note. Notice that anyone who endorses the instrument is also obligated under the Note. Does this create an unknown Obligor at closing? If an un-named Beneficiary is the result of the unilateral agreement known as a Promissory Note”, how do we have the understanding necessary to execute such a critical document? It is the contention of this author, supported by the very agreements signed under oath and filed for record with the SEC, that “interests” and “obligations” are synonomous within the four corners of the agreement we signed…and the agreements signed by the intermediaries. A court of competent jurisdiction shall be posed these foundational questions very soon, and often. Are we a party to these agreements known as PSA/Prospectus? If we do a simple word search on each of these and look for references to: Borrower, Mortgagor, Obligor, we find these terms are typically used in excess of 60-75 times. Yet we were never disclosed the terms and conditions of the actual “loan” transaction as it truly was executed, and the rights, duties and responsibilities of the intermediaries. These are material disclosures relative to fees, expenses and various credit enhancements which are attributed to the Borrowers’ payment stream.
A divorce from this menagerie of deceit is not only appropriate, but a right that is being tried in many courtrooms. I believe that the judiciary will be tested on many platforms and small but visceral victories shall carry the day.

Failure to Allege Lack of Default

Failure to Allege Lack of Default

by Daniel Edstrom
DTC Systems, Inc.

I came across the following on Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=16055101289176414591&q=Restatement+(Third)+Of+Property+(Mortgages)+%C2%A7+5.4&hl=en&as_sdt=2,5):

A. Failure to Allege Lack of Default

First, Nevada law is clear that “[a]n action for the tort of wrongful foreclosure will lie if the trustor or mortgagor can establish at the time the power of sale was exercised or the foreclosure occurred, no breach of condition or failure of performance existed on the mortgagor or trustor’s part which would have authorized the foreclosure or exercise of the power of sale.” Ernestburg v. Mortgage Investors Group, No. 2:08-cv-01304-RCJ-RJJ, 2009 WL 160241, at *6 (D. Nev. Jan. 22, 2009) (internal citations and quotations omitted). The plaintiff must establish that they were not “in default when the power of sale was exercised.” Id. (citing Collins v. Union Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n, 662 P.2d 610, 623 (Nev. 1983)). Furthermore, a claim for wrongful foreclosure does not arise until the power of sale is exercised. Collins, 662 P.2d at 623.

Continue reading “Failure to Allege Lack of Default”