On July 1, 2022, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a published decision in Lamirand v. Fay Servicing LLC that addressed an asserted conflict between the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Truth in...more
On May 28, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published long-awaited updates to its guidance on EEO-related issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among other things, the EEOC's updated...more
On May 28, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published long-awaited updates to its guidance on EEO-related issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among other things, the EEOC’s updated...more
6/10/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
EEO ,
Employee Incentive Plans ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Health and Safety ,
New Guidance ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Vaccinations ,
Webinars ,
Workplace Safety
The Eleventh Circuit’s decision in Hunstein v. Preferred Collection & Management Services Inc. has already changed the status quo in the debt collection industry, as the court itself predicted. Whether it will lead to any...more
Florida’s Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act (UCRERA) went into effect on July 1, 2020, clarifying the standards for appointment of a receiver for commercial real estate and the receiver’s powers and...more
10/6/2020
/ Asset Management ,
Borrowers ,
Commercial Property Owners ,
Commercial Real Estate Market ,
Court-Appointed Receivers ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Land Developers ,
Lenders ,
Real Estate Transactions ,
Receivership ,
Webinars
Florida’s Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act (UCRERA) went into effect on July 1, 2020, just in time to offer some clarity concerning a remedy banks and creditors may seek in light of the COVID-19 economy. A task...more
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Statute of Limitations & Res Judicata: trial court erred in finding that bank's foreclosure action was barred by statute of limitations and res judicata - U.S. Bank Nat'l Ass'n, etc. v....more
8/2/2018
/ Auto-Dialed Calls ,
Deutsche Bank ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Material Misrepresentation ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Res Judicata ,
RESPA ,
Right of Redemption ,
Statute of Limitations ,
TCPA ,
Time Warner Cable ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
- Equitable Lien/Foreclosure: lender entitled to an equitable lien, but not entitled to foreclose on that lien where was no showing of default on mortgage from which the lien arose - Rozanski v....more
6/28/2018
/ Action to Quiet Title ,
Condition Precedent ,
Condominium Associations ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Debt Collection ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Equitable Lien ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Foreign Judgments ,
Fraudulent Transfers ,
Insurance Code ,
Midland Funding ,
Mortgages ,
Motion to Vacate ,
Old Republic Title ,
Personal Jurisdiction ,
Restrictive Covenants ,
Specific Jurisdiction ,
Supplemental Jurisdiction ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Standing: bank's allegation in complaint that it acquired loan and possessed both legal and beneficial interest in note and mortgage prior to filing complaint, coupled with the subsequent...more
6/6/2018
/ Article III ,
Attorney's Fees ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
HELOC ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Mortgages ,
Policy Exclusions ,
RICO ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Summary Judgment: incorporation of an affirmative defense by referencing “previously filed pleadings” does not obviate movant’s obligation to comply with particularity requirements mandated by rule...more
5/16/2018
/ Ally Financial Inc ,
American Express ,
Article III ,
Bank of America ,
BAPCPA ,
Chapter 7 ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Bankruptcy ,
Debt Collectors ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Equifax ,
Exculpatory Clauses ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
HOA Dues ,
Leases ,
Mortgages ,
Negligence ,
Repossess ,
Standing ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Lis Pendens: lawsuit to foreclose mortgage on real property is an action "founded on a duly recorded instrument" - National American Home, LLC v Deutsche Bank Nat. Trust Co., Case No. 4D17-2614 (Fla....more
4/25/2018
/ Attorney's Fees ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Condition Precedent ,
Debt Collection ,
Deutsche Bank ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Lis Pendens ,
Marketable Title ,
Mortgages ,
Pleadings ,
Regulatory Violations ,
RESPA ,
RICO ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
US Bank National Association
Foreclosure / Amendments to Conform to Evidence: trial court erred in allowing Wells Fargo to amend its complaint during trial to conform to evidence presented of two unpled modification agreements – Tracey v. Wells Fargo...more
4/2/2018
/ Amended Complaints ,
Article III ,
Class Action ,
Class Certification ,
Condominiums ,
Declaration of Condominium ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
FDUTPA ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Inequitable Conduct ,
Insurance Industry ,
Loan Modifications ,
Mortgages ,
Regulatory Violations ,
Standing ,
Tax Appeals ,
Time-Barred Claims ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Condition Precedent: trial court properly rejected motion to dismiss for failure to satisfy condition precedent of pre-litigation non-binding arbitration, required by Chapter 718, Florida Statutes,...more
3/23/2018
/ Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Citigroup ,
Condition Precedent ,
Deutsche Bank ,
ECOA ,
Eviction ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCC ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Mortgages ,
Real Estate Market ,
RESPA ,
Statute of Limitations ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Unclean Hands ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Foreclosure/Standing: borrower's standing arguments failed because they were based on notion that note changed hands after it was delivered to World Savings Bank in 2007, when in fact the note...more
3/5/2018
/ Article III ,
ATDS ,
Banking Sector ,
Damages ,
Debt Collection ,
Deutsche Bank ,
FDCPA ,
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company ,
Foreclosure ,
HSBC ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mechanics Lien ,
Mortgages ,
Policy Exclusions ,
Rite Aid ,
Standing ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Sufficient Nexus ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Tortious Interference ,
US Bank National Association ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Breach of Contract/Damages: court erred by precluding setoff when calculating damages because purpose of award is to restore the injured party to the position it would have realized no for the other...more
3/2/2018
/ Appeals ,
Article III ,
Banking Sector ,
Breach of Contract ,
Deficiency Judgments ,
Dodd-Frank ,
FACTA ,
Failure To Preserve ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Hearsay ,
Mortgages ,
Notice of Default ,
Standing ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
Misrepresentation/Concealment: genuine issues of material fact remained in dispute regarding whether board-certified real estate attorney committed fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation or concealment by falsely assuring...more
2/14/2018
/ Article III ,
Attorney's Fees ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Breach of Contract ,
Condition Precedent ,
D&O Insurance ,
Diminution in Value ,
Easements ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
Fifth Third Mortgage Company ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Fraudulent Concealment ,
Guaranty Claims ,
Hearsay ,
Homestead Exemption ,
HSBC ,
Insurance Industry ,
JPMorgan Chase ,
Misrepresentation ,
Mortgages ,
Old Republic Title ,
PNC ,
Real Estate Market ,
Regulatory Violations ,
RESPA ,
Standing ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Standing/Foreclosure: pursuant to Florida Rule of Procedure 1.260, the assignee of a note during pendency of a foreclosure acquires standing of original plaintiff lender - Spicer v Ocwen Loan...more
1/25/2018
/ Article III ,
Banking Sector ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgage Fraud ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Property Damage ,
RESPA ,
Sinkhole ,
Standing ,
State Farm ,
Statute of Limitations ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
- Foreclosure/Errors in Legal Description: error in legal description did not preclude judgment of foreclosure because property was sufficiently identified by accurate lot and tract, street address,...more
12/19/2017
/ Article III ,
Bank of New York (BNY) Mellon ,
Banking Sector ,
Comenity Bank ,
Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing ,
Debt Collection ,
Deutsche Bank ,
ECOA ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
FDUTPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Real Estate Market ,
Standing ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE -
Receiver/Barton Doctrine: individual could not bring negligence action against discharged receiver of commercial property until individual first obtained leave to do so from the court that appointed...more
12/1/2017
/ Bank of America ,
Banking Sector ,
Barton Doctrine ,
Debt Collection ,
ECOA ,
Equitable Subrogation ,
Experian ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
First American Title Insurance Co. ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgages ,
Motion to Dismiss ,
Negligent Misrepresentation ,
RESPA ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Summary Judgment ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE FINANCIAL SERVICES UPDATE TITLE INSURANCE UPDATE -
Misrepresentation: developer entitled to directed verdict on claims of fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation asserted by condominium association...more
11/15/2017
/ Agricultural Land ,
Article III ,
Banking Sector ,
Business Records ,
Certiorari ,
Condominiums ,
Deutsche Bank ,
FCCPA ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Hearsay ,
HOLA ,
Insurance Industry ,
Mortgages ,
Negligent Misrepresentation ,
Preemption ,
Real Estate Development ,
Real Estate Market ,
RESPA ,
Restrictive Covenants ,
Standing ,
State and Local Government ,
TCPA ,
Title Insurance ,
Wells Fargo ,
Zoning Laws
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE FINANCIAL SERVICES UPDATE TITLE INSURANCE UPDATE -
Foreclosure: witness may testify as to business records of another company so long as that witness can lay proper foundation of personal knowledge...more
10/30/2017
/ Banking Sector ,
Condominiums ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Insurance Industry ,
Misrepresentation ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Real Estate Market ,
Tax Liens ,
Title Insurance ,
Venue ,
Wells Fargo
REAL PROPERTY UPDATE FINANCIAL SERVICES UPDATE -
Ad Valorem Taxes: land lease holders are considered equitable owners of land for tax purposes if land lease renews automatically and is perpetual; owners of condominium...more
10/18/2017
/ Action to Quiet Title ,
Ad Valorem Tax ,
Attorney's Fees ,
Banking Sector ,
Consumer Bankruptcy ,
Consumer Financial Products ,
Debt Collection ,
Deficiency Judgments ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Dismissals ,
FDCPA ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Foreclosure ,
Foreclosure Sales ,
GMAC ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Nationstar ,
Res Judicata ,
Trespass ,
Truth in Lending Act (TILA) ,
Unlawful Detainer ,
Wells Fargo
A debt collector runs afoul of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) if it fails to mail its response to a consumer’s request for verification of debt, ruled a Texas federal judge in Ghanta v. Immediate Credit...more
Copyrighting their names, “signing” with red thumbprints – we’ve seen some unusual court filings from unique individuals. But one person has apparently gone too far.
It can be incredibly frustrating for a lender when a...more
11/3/2016
/ Bank Fraud ,
Banking Sector ,
Borrowers ,
Court Appearances ,
Criminal Prosecution ,
Fines ,
Foreclosure ,
Liens ,
Mail Fraud ,
Mechanics Lien ,
Mortgage Lenders ,
Mortgages ,
Real Estate Market ,
Subject Matter Jurisdiction
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB” or “Bureau”) recently ordered a Florida subprime credit reporting company and its owner to pay an $8 million civil penalty and to halt illegal practices in a December 3 Consent...more