First National Bank v. Steneck Title & Mortgage Guaranty Co.
Opinion of the Court
The Steneck Title and Mortgage Guaranty Company (hereinafter called Title Company), as part of its business, loaned and invested money on real estate bonds and mortgages, many
The mechanics for issuing certificates were handled by the Trust Company exclusively. The only record produced to show what bonds and mortgages were delivered (there was no formal assignment) to the Trust Company and how they were treated with respect to the trust, is a series of cards kept by the Trust Company. That company was agent of the Title Company for the sale of certificates; after January 12th, 1931, it decided whether to issue to investors T or D certificates; it received for the Title Company the proceeds of sale of certificates and delivered certificates to investors after they were executed by Title Company officers. The only part taken by the Title Company in the allocation of mortgages to certificates was to execute the participation certificates as prepared by the Trust Company. Prior to January 12th, 1931, it was the custom of the Trust Company, through its card system, to allocate certain series or groups of mortgages to particular certificates, but after that date the custom apparently was abandoned and all mortgages were treated as a single group against which all T certificates were allocated. It does not appear that any purchaser of a blue or T certificate bargained for a certificate against any particular group or series of mortgages, or knew or inquired ás to what group or series the certificates sold him would apply and it is to be noted that neither the blue nor the T certificates specify or identify any particular series or group, but speak generally of bonds and mortgages deposited with the trustee. D certificates were issued only to purchasers who expressed a wish for participation in some single mortgage and in no instance when a D certificate was issued did any purchaser choose a particular mortgage; he accepted what the Trust Company chose for him.
Naturally no D certificates could be issued against a particular mortgage until that mortgage had been deposited with the trustee. Since there was no authority by corporate act of the Title Company, or under the terms of the trust agreement, for deposit of mortgages with the trustee for any purpose outside the trust agreement and since there is no evidence that any mortgage was actually deposited with the trustee for any purpose other than as specified in the trust agreement, it must be assumed that as each mortgage was deposited with the trustee, the trustee received and held it under the terms of the agreement; thereupon the rights of holders of blue certificates and of T certificates theretofore and thereafter to be issued attached under the terms of the trust agreement to each mortgage immediately upon its deposit with the trustee and D certificates issued against any such mortgage were in derogation of the rights of the holders of blue and T certificates. Neither the Title Company nor the Trust Company had the power as against the holders of blue and T certificates to vary the terms of the trust agreement by issuing D certificates. The rights of holders of blue and T certificates were fixed, before the Title Company commenced to issue D certificates, in all mortgages then and thereafter to be deposited in the trust and there is no evidence that in any instance a purchase of a T certificate was made with knowledge that the Title Company was issuing D certificates against a mortgage which, by the terms of the trust agreement, belonged to the group of mortgages. I reach the conclusion that the holders of D certificates purchased such certificates with’notice that as against holders of blue and T certificates, the Title Company had no right to issue participation certificates in any particular mortgage deposited with the Trust Company; that the holders of D certificates are not entitled to preference in payment out of the particular mortgage described in their certificates and that they must stand in the same situation with all other
I believe my conclusion that the rights of all certificate holders are equal will prove of benefit to holders of D certificates as a class, as well as to holders of the other certificates and that the administration and final settlement of the trust will be thereby facilitated and the expense lessened. If the D certificates were found to be liens against the particular mortgages therein described only, or against such mortgages with an additional lien against all mortgages in the trust for the unrealized balance of the particular mortgages described, a most complex situation would exist of liquidation of various single mortgages before the interests of blue and T certificates could be determined—in other words there would be many small trusts to be administered and settled before the interests of the blue and T certificates could be fixed. Then, too, in a few instances more D certificates were issued against particular mortgages than the principal of such mortgages; also it appears that a large number of mortgages were allocated to both T and D certificates; also that certain D certificates originally issued against particular mortgages were afterward transferred on the card record kept by-the Trust Company to the group of mortgages; also in a number of cases mortgages allocated to certain certificates and mortgaged properties taken over in lieu of foreclosure, have little prospect of paying the principal of the certificates because taxes are greatly in arrear, the properties are in disrepair and have depreciated in value and the mortgages or properties held in lieu of mortgages, yield no present income and show little equity.
2. Through foreclosure and through deeds from owners, the complainants have and will come into possession of real estate from which rent is and will be derived. They are also receiving and will continue to receive, interest on mortgages in the trust. Sheriff’s fees and costs on foreclosure are to be paid, as also taxes in arrear and to accrue, water rent and insurance, and buildings on the property to which they have taken title require repair. What are the complainants’ powers and duties with respect to such receipts and expenditures?
3. May complainants bring suit to foreclose and for deficiency, and if so, in what name ? When the owners of mortgaged premises offer to convey to complainants in lieu of foreclosure, provided the owners are released from the bond, may complainants accept a deed and execute a release of the bond? May complainants accept compromise of a deficiency claim ?
The trust agreement authorizes the Trust Company as agent and attorney of the certificate holders, in case of default, to collect and receive the principal and interest due on mortgages in the trust by suit or otherwise and apply the proceeds to the payment of participation certificates. The commissioner of banking and insurance, representing the Title Company, is interested only in any surplus which may exist in the proceeds of bonds and mortgages after all certifi
Complainants may sue to foreclose and for deficiency and also bring suits in ejectment. In such suits they should style themselves "trustees for holders of participation certificates issued by Steneck Title and Mortgage Guaranty Company” and in foreclosure suits the commissioner of banking and insurance should be made a defendant as representing the contingent interest of the Title Company. Complainants may refrain from instituting suits for deficiency and may adjust and compromise claims for deficiency either before or after suit or judgment, when the amount of deficiency involved does not exceed $2,000. If the amount involved exceeds $2,000 they should give notice to certificate holders as provided for under question 16. Complainants may, in their discretion, accept deeds from mortgagors and release them from liability on their bonds, rather than go through foreclosure proceedings.
4. Should certificate holders be named' as defendants in foreclosure suits?
The general rule is that upon foreclosure of a mortgage made to a trustee, all cestuis que trustent should be made parties, as well as the trustee, to the bill to foreclose, but there is an exception to the rule in cases where the cestuis are so numerous that it would be most inconvenient, if not practically impossible, to obtain their consent to be made parties complainant, or to serve them with process as parties defendant. In such cases they need not be made parties, but the bill of complaint should contain an allegation to show why they are not joined in the suit. Tyson v. Applegate, 40 N. J. Eq. 305; Johnes v. Outwater, 55 N. J. Eq. 399; 36 Atl. Rep. 483; Camden Safe Deposit and Trust Co. v. Dialogue, 15 N. J. Eq. 600; 72 Atl. Rep. 358; Continental Bank, &c., v. Fulton Realty Co., 10 N. J. Mis. R. 1105; 162
5. May complainants extend time for payment of principal of past due mortgages and where mortgages are payable in installments, may they waive or extend time for payment of installments ? May they reduce the interest rate on mortgages ?
Complainants may extend time for payment of mortgages and for payment of installments thereon and in case of installment mortgages, they may in the exercise of their best judgment, enter into a new contract with the owner of the mortgaged property as to the manner in which the principal of the mortgage shall be paid. Without first giving notice to certificate holders as provided for under question 16, no extension should be longer than for one year and the interest rate specified in a mortgage should not be reduced.
6. May complainants make alterations to trust property, such as installing heating, refrigerating and other equipment and to what extent? Should they carry out existing contracts for such equipment where the same has been installed by the owner prior to complainants taking title?
Complainants may make such alterations and may carry out existing contracts therefor, limiting the cost to ten per cent, in the aggregate of the principal investment in the property to which the improvement is to attach. If the cost is to exceed such percentage they must give notice to certificate holders as provided for under question 16. If deemed advisable, they may contract for payment in installments over a period of years and may execute conditional sales agreements in connection therewith.
The obligation to insure mortgaged property against fire loss or damage is on the owner of the property and I assume that all mortgages contain the usual clause under which the mortgagee may effect such insurance in case of the owner’s default and add the premium to the mortgage debt. On property owned by complainants, they may effect all classes of insurance with any insurer authorized to do business in this state, in such sums as they may deem proper. They may compromise and adjust losses and claims in connection with mortgaged or owned property where the amount of the claim does not exceed $1,000. .Where it exceeds such sum, notice of the proposed settlement shall be given as provided under question 16. When checks in payment for insurance losses against mortgaged property are drawn to the order of the owner and the Title Company as mortgagee, complainants may endorse such cheeks in the name of the Title Company as its agent or attorney.
■8. May complainants abandon properties where they are unable, or deem it inadvisable to protect property to which they hold title, or property on which they hold mortgages, from tax sales?
In all eases where complainants believe it proper to abandon such property, they should give notice of their proposal in the manner provided under question 16.
9. May complainants sell, convey and lease real estate to which they have acquired title? May they give satisfaction or discharge of mortgages and release of part of mortgaged premises ? Are they authorized to pay broker’s and appraiser’s fees?
They may sell and lease property upon such terms and conditions as they may deem proper and accept purchase-
10. May complainants retain a real estate agent to assist them in the management of real estate and how much and from what fund should he be paid? Complainants suggest that a certain real estate agent be named as receiver to collect rent upon all applications they may make to the court for the appointment of a receiver in connection with foreclosure suits.
Except for the evidence that complainants have taken over properties mortgaged for 8162,000, I do not know how many pieces of real estate they are called upon to manage. Of course complainants may employ a sufficient working force to properly manage the trust property in their hands and pay their employes reasonable compensation and such expenditures are properly chargeable against the trust estate. It is obvious that help must he employed in connection with the administration of the trust and it is possible that a competent employe could be engaged to attend to the rental of such real estate as may now or shall hereafter be in the trust, the collection of rent and the making of repairs, as well as to the inspection of the condition of mortgaged property. I do not think it presently necessary that a man whose business is that of a real estate agent should be specially employed for the purpose. With respect to rent receiverships, I think the complainant hank should be appointed to serve without
11. May complainants accept in payment for rent, principal and interest on mortgages, scrip or bonds issued by municipal corporations of this state, if such scrip or bonds may be used for liquidating taxes or other obligations due the issuing municipalities ?
Yes, and also if such scrip or bonds may otherwise be realized on.
12. May complainants accept Home Owners Loan Corporation bonds in payment of mortgages and sell the same at current market price? May they accept such bonds for less than the full amount due on a mortgage?
Such bonds may be accepted at par value in full payment of a mortgage and they may be accepted at such value in part payment if the owner of the mortgaged property desires to pay the balance in cash. Complainants may sell anjr such bonds so accepted at market price.
13. Bonds and mortgages were executed to American Homes Building and Loan Association as collateral to loans granted on shares of stock in the association, which shares were also assigned to the association as collateral for such loans. Some of such bonds and mortgages and shares were assigned by the association to the Title Company and were delivered by the Title Company to the Trust Company to be placed in the group of mortgages against which participation certificates were issued. May complainants receive from said association the dues collected by it, surrender said shares to the association and release the association therefor? May complainants give credit on such shares for the full book value thereof and accept the difference between such book value and the amount due on the mortgages and cancel such mortgages ?
The above named association is a mutual and co-operative association organized under “An act concerning building and loan associations” (Comp. Stat. p. 334) and its business has been and is being conducted under the provisions of that act and the amendments and supplements thereto. Its members are shareholders entitled to participate in its assets in
A decree has been made by this court in the suit of Steneck Title and Mortgage Guaranty Co. v. First National Bank of Hoboken et al., trustees and others (97-612) adjudging that the shares of said association assigned to the Title Company, with the bonds and mortgages accompanying the same, are held as collateral security to said bonds and mortgages and that the complainants in the instant case have the right and duty to collect dues and profits on said shares and to take all necessary proceedings for the complete recovery of the same and upon receiving satisfaction for said shares, to give good and proper releases and discharges therefor to said association. I understand that decree to authorize complainants in the instant suit to accept payment from the association of the value of such pledged shares and credit the same on the debt evidenced by said shares and the bond and mortgage, in any case where the borrower desires to pay complainants the difference between the value of the shares
If the owner of property covered by such a mortgage desires to negotiate with complainants for discharge of his debt complainants should deal Avith such mortgage in the same manner as with any other mortgage, that is to say, complainants should consider the security of the mortgage, the responsibility of the maker of the bond and the financial condition of the association and then exercise their judgment in the premises. I know, through proof in another ease pending before me, that the commissioner of banking and insurance has, pursuant to chapters 48 and 258 of the laws of 1933, issued orders to said association restricting and limiting its payments to members on withdrawals and maturity of shares, under which orders withdrawing members can receive only a proportion of the withdrawal value of their shares, monthly. Complainants may, by agreement with and consent of the borrower, accept from the association the withdrawal value of shares held in connection with the above mentioned bonds and mortgages as fixed by the association and payable as ordered by the commissioner of banking and insurance and credit such Avithdrawal value on the mortgage debt and accept from the borrower the difference between the Avithdrawal value and the mortgage debt, such difference to be paid complainants in full, or by monthly installments. Complainants
14. May complainants rely on records of the Trust Company in their possession as evidence of ownership of certificates and may they deal with owners as they appear by such records? May complainants transfer on their records ownership of certificates and note such transfers on the certificates?
All participation certificates provide that to be valid they must be authenticated by the certificate of the Trust Company endorsed thereon. They also provide that the interest of the holder is assignable only on the books of the Title Company and that such assignment must be noted on the certificate. Complainants do not have possession of the records of the Title Company. The Trust Company kept and complainants have what purport to be correct records of all certificates issued by tbe Title Company, such record being the cards hereinabove referred to. Complainants are authorized to rely on such records and to deal with owners of certificates according as such ownership appears by those records, unless proof satisfactory to complainants is produced which discloses an error in such records, in which event the record should be corrected to show the true fact. Owners of participation certificates may transfer or assign their certificates and upon production to complainants of such certificates and proper evidence of transfer or assignment thereof, complainants should endorse change of ownership on the certificate and on their records and therafter deal with the new owner.
15. Applications are made to complainants for a list of certificate holders with their addresses and the amount held by each and for information as to receipts and disbursements in connection with properties to which they hold title. May they charge for expense of furnishing such and similar information ?
It appears that many requests of the nature indicated in this question have been made of complainants and that to comply with such requests entails much time and work on the part of complainants’ employes. Applicants for information should pay therefor at rates to be fixed by the decree to
16. Complainants ask the court to continue this proceeding so that complainants and parties interested may make application herein on matters not fully determined and on future questions upon such notice as the court may prescribe.
This court should have jurisdiction in this cause to determine all questions arising with respect to the administration of the trust whether originating with complainants or with any party to this suit (including as parties all certificate holders, whether specifically named in the bill of complaint or brought in by class representation). All new questions should be presented by petition entitled in the cause and be heard on such notice as the court may prescribe. Where under questions 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, notice is required to be given, such notice should be by mail to all persons who are named as defendants in the bill of complaint in this cause, at their addresses as the same appear by complainants’ records. Such notice should specify what complainants propose to do and that if any party has objection thereto, he must file dissent in writing with complainants within ten days after such mailing. If within said ten days no dissent be filed with complainants, they may proceed in the manner stated by them. If written notice of dissent be given, complainants may bring the matter to the court’s attention for appropriate action at such time and place as the complainants shall state in their said mailed notice that they will present the matter to the court in case of dissent filed. On any application to the court, whether by complainants or others, all questions (except those herein decided) as to the power of the court to make an order and the propriety of making it, shall be open for discussion.
Upon entry of a decree in conformity with these conclusions, complainants shall mail a general notice to all certificate holders as their names and addresses appear on complainants’ records and to the commissioner of banking and insurance, informing them that this court has determined
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.