McCalmont v. Federal National Mortgage Ass'n
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
James and Katherine McCalmont appeal the district court’s order granting a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim brought by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291.
The McCalmonts’ complaint contains sufficient plausible allegations to raise the reasonable inference that Fannie Mae “regularly engages ... in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing con
Second, the McCalmonts’ complaint plausibly alleges that the DU Findings Report qualifies as a “consumer report” for purposes of 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(d). In stating that the report communicates information regarding prior short sales or prior foreclosures and that the provision of erroneous information regarding prior foreclosures results in consumers being unable to obtain mortgage financing, it plausibly alleges that information provided by the DU Findings Report “bear[s] on a consumer’s credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living.”
We reject Fannie Mae’s argument that it is not a consumer reporting agency as a matter of law based on the language of 15 U.S.C. § 1681g(g)(l)(B)(ii), which states that a mortgage lender should disclose a credit score generated by Fannie Mae using the procedures applicable to credit scores not obtained from consumer reporting agencies. Reading this section in context, we see no indication that Congress intended to exclude Fannie Mae from the definition of “consumer reporting agency,” and we decline to read such an intent into the statute.
Finally, the McCalmonts’ complaint alleges facts sufficient to raise a plausible inference that Fannie Mae failed to “follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy” of the DU Findings Report in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b). The complaint alleges that none of the
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
. Contrary to the dissent, a bank or lender that declines to make or purchase a loan "and gives reasons for its decision,” Dissent at 2, cannot meet the definition of "consumer reporting agency” unless such bank or lender "regularly engages ... in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties.” 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(f).
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting:
I dissent from the majority for two reasons. First, the Desktop Underwriter Findings Report (DU Findings Report) does not communicate information about the McCalmonts; it states only whether the loan the McCalmonts sought is eligible for purchase by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae).
Second, the complaint does not raise a plausible inference that Fannie Mae failed to “follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy” of the information concerning the McCalmonts. See 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b). As the majority explains, the complaint alleges that none of the McCalmonts’ lenders reported that the McCalmonts had been through a foreclo
. This court "may not consider any material beyond the pleadings in ruling on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion.” Johnson v. Fed. Home Loan Mortg. Corp., 793 F.3d 1005, 1007 (9th Cir. 2015). However, this court "need not accept as true allegations contradicting documents that are referenced in the complaint.” Id. at 1008 (quoting Lazy Y Ranch Ltd. v. Behrens, 546 F.3d 580, 588 (9th Cir. 2008)). Here, we may consider the McCalmonts’ DU Findings Report, which was referenced in and attached to the complaint. The DU Findings Report does not make any recommendation regarding whether the lender should or should not originate a loan, nor any evaluation regarding the McCalmonts’ creditworthiness.
. See 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(d) (defining "consumer report” as "any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a consumer’s credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living which is used or expected to be used or collected in whole or in part for the purpose of serving as a factor in establishing the consumer's eligibility for—(A) credit or insurance to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes; (B) employment purposes; or (C) any other purpose authorized under section 1681b of this title” (emphasis added)).
.The majority dismisses this concern because a bank or lender "cannot meet the definition of a ‘consumer reporting agency’ unless such bank or lender 'regularly engages ... in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties.’ ” Mem. Dispo. at 4, n.l. Of course, banks and lenders regularly engage in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information when they investigate loan applications sent them by brokers seeking financing for real estate sales. Under the majority’s reading of the FCRA, banks and lenders who assemble or evaluate consumer credit information "for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties,” (including, for example, brokers), become "consumer reporting agencies,” even when the information furnished by the banks and lenders concerns only a prospective loan for purchase.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- James MCCALMONT, a Married Man; Katherine McCalmont, a Married Woman, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, Defendant-Appellee
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Unpublished