Brown v. Sheldon State Bank

Bishop, J.—

A motion to dismiss the appeal has been submitted with the case. We have examined into the grounds on which the motion is predicated, and reach the conclusion that it should be overruled. We need not enter upon a detailed discussion of such grounds.

First in order of presentation is the claim of the People’s Savings Bank of Sioux City. This claim is based upon two instruments in -writing, purporting, in usual form, to be certificates of deposit issued by the Sheldon bank. One thereof bears date September 5, 1903, and recites that “ People’s Savings Bank, has deposited in the Sheldon State Bank five thousand dollars, payable to the order of itself three months after date with interest at 6 per cent./’ etc. “ [Signed] Ed. 0. Brown, Pr.” Tbe other bears date October 30, 1903, and is in the same form, and for the same amount as the first. On the first is an indorsement of credit in the sum of $2,717.53, and this, claimant alleges, represents “ the credit balance to which said Sheldon State Bank was entitled on open account.” The demand of claimant is for allowance of its claim as a deposit with preference, as provided for by statute. The demand for preference is resisted by the receiver, his contention being that the certificates evidence loans of money merely, and not deposits; accordingly, that the claimant should be assigned to the position of a general creditor. In the nature of a cross-demand it is charged, by the receiver, that at the time of his appointment the Sheldon bank had on deposit, on open account with the claimant bank, the sum of $2,717.53, to which he, as receiver, became entitled; that thereafter the claimant bank, without right or authority, attempted and pretended to appropriate said money, by crediting the amount therof on the first of said certificates. An order requiring payment of said sum of money to the receiver, to be applied by him to the payment of a depositor’s claims, is demanded. The claimant bank in reply, insists that the certificates represent actual deposits; that they were executed in the usual and ordinary course of business, and entered of record, reported upon, and treated in all respects as certificates of deposit. It admits that the credit on the first certificate of the deposit balance was made after the failure of the Sheldon bank, but insists that it had right to so appropriate and credit. The decree denied preference, and established the claim for the face amount of the certificates, with interest, as a general claim. And the claimant was ordered to pay over to the receiver the amount of the deposit account in its hands at the time of the failure.

1. banks and hísoivency: claims. Going to the evidence, it appears that the certificates in question are renewals of others previously issued, and it is reasonably clear that the issuance of each of the original certificates was on the suggestion of the Sheldon bank. Brown, the president of the bank, called by the receiver, testifies that the claimant bank was one of the Sioux City correspondents of his bank, and that he had an understanding with the president of said claimant bank to the effect that “ whenever I wanted any money, he would try and take care of me.” And he says that pursuant to such understanding, the original certificates were drawn up, and sent to the claimant bank, with the request that the sum named therein be placed to the credit of the Sheldon bank; that such credit was given, and the money was thereafter drawn out, by check or draft, as occasion arose therefor; that upon arrival of the time named in the certificates for payment, these renewal certificates were drawn up and forwarded, whereupon the claimant bank, after charging interest to the open account of the Sheldon bank, returned to it the original certificates. Taking this to be the fact situation, it becomes manifest that the transactions out of which grew the certificates in question amounted to loans of money. The certificates represent money borrowed, and not deposits. The facts of the case do not differ, in any material respect, from those appearing in our recent case of State v. Corning State Savings Bank, 136 Iowa, 79. We there held that a transaction involving the issuance of a certificate — in form a certificate of deposit — by the Corning bank, which was forwarded to the Des Moines National Bank, with the understanding that a credit on open checking account should be entered in its favor, amounted to a loan of money, and not a deposit. The subject is elaborately discussed in the opinion in that case, and we need not, at this time, repeat the argument on which the conclusion was made to rest. See, also the. opinion on a further appeal in the same case. 139 Iowa, —.

2. Same: claims due insolvent Considering, now, the contention for error in the order requiring the claimant bank to pay over the deposit fund in its hands at the time of the failure, we think the contention should be sustained. It is the rule in this n, , .. • . .T • , btate, as it is in many other jurisdictions, to allow set-off where parties are mutually indebted and one becomes insolvent. And it is not material that the indebtedness, sought to be canceled by offset, is not due at the time. Thomas v. Bank, 99 Iowa, 202; Wikel v. Garrison, 82 Iowa, 453; Swentzel v. Bank, 147 Pa. 140 (23 Atl. 415, 15 L. R. A. 310, 30 Am. St. Rep. 718) ; Thompson v. Trust Co., 130 Mich. 508 (90 N. W. 294, 97 Am. St. Rep. 494); Davis v. Mfg. Co., 114 N. C. 321 (19 S. E. 371, 23 L. R. A. 322) ; North Chicago Co. v. St. Louis Co., 152 U. S. 596 (14 Sup. Ct, 710, 38 L. Ed. 565) ; Van Wagoner v .Gaslight Co., 23 N. J. Law, 294. The ease last cited involved a bank failure, and it was said: “ In eases of cross-indebtedness the assets of the bank consist only of the balance of the accounts. That is all the fund which the bank itself would have had to satisfy its creditors in case no receiver had been appointed. And there is no equality, and no equity, in putting a debtor of the bank, who has a just and legal set-off as against the corporation, in a worse position, and the creditors in a better position, by the failure of the bank and the appointment of a receiver.”

Next in order is the claim of Julius Mark. The claim here in controversy is based upon what purports to be a certificate of deposit. ■ The receiver filed a resistance, claiming that the certificate represented no more than a loan. The evidence shows the transaction, out of which the certificate arose, to be substantially like that appearing in the case of the claim of the People’s Savings Bank, supra. The court rightly decreed that claimant was entitled to place only as a general creditor.

3 Same-ínsoi-tóredclaims: trust funds. Next in order is the claim of the Cedar Bapids National Bank. The facts of this claim are that on November 2, 1903, the claimant bank sent by mail, to the Sheldon bank, for the purpose of collection and return, a draft, drawn by a third person on the First National B'ank of Sheldon, and held hy the claimant bank under endorsement. The letter of transmittal, with inclos-ur6j reacpe(j jjjg Sbeldon bank on November 3d; and, a few minutes before the bank closed its doors for the last time, the draft was presented to the First National Bank, and paid. On receipt of the money the Sheldon bank issued and mailed to claimant its draft in a corresponding amount, payable to claimant, and drawn on the National Bank of the Republic, Chicago. This draft reached the claimant bank on the following day, and was forwarded to Chicago, where, on November 6th, it was presented to- the bank on which drawn, and payment was refused for want of funds. The demand of claimant is that the claim be allowed and paid in full, as one entitled to preference over all other creditors. By the decree the demand for preference was denied, and the claim was established only as a general claim. No good reason appears to us for denying the demand for preference. The money collected from the First National Bank was certainly in the hands of the Sheldon Bank when it closed its doors, and such money passed into the hands of the receiver. And it was a fund held in trust, and therefore entitled to the preference demanded. Nurse v. Satterlee, 81 Iowa, 491; Whitcomb v. Carpenter, 134 Iowa, 227. The cases cited by council for the receiver are not in' point. In each thereof the facts made it appear that the collection items had been sent on with instructions to collect and credit to account. Counsel for the receiver seems to think that there is something in the fact that a draft was at once drawn and sent forward that serves to warrant the denial of preference. We do not see how this can be. It may be, as counsel suggests, that had the draft so drawn been presented for payment on -the day it was drawn, or even on the following day, it would have been paid. But that cannot be accepted as ground sufficient on which to defend the decree. The Sheldon bank chose to make returns of the collection by Chicago draft. Of necessity two days, at least, must elapse before sucb draft could be presented. In tbé meantime the bank had drawn out of the Chicago bank its funds available to meet the draft. As far as claimant is concerned, therefore, the case stands precisely as if the Sheldon bank had never had any funds in. the Chicago bank. It requires no citation of authorities to make it clear that settlement, as for a collection made, is not accomplished by forwarding a draft, which, on being presented for payment within a reasonable time, as was this, is repudiated for want of funds. We conclude that the preference should have been allowed.

4. same: school funds. Next in order is the claim of the School Township of Lynn, Sioux County. The facts of this claim, stated in brief, are as follows: During the year 1903 one Maus was treasurer of the claimant school township. F0H0Wing a practice that had prevailed under former treasurers, Maus deposited the moneys coming into his hands as treasurer in the Sheldon bank, and’ the same were credited to him, as treasurer, on the books of the bank. Within his understanding, and in fact, such moneys were treated in all respects as ordinary deposits, and mingled with the general funds in the possession of the bank. And such had been the practice under former treasurers. Of this practice the other officers of the district were fully advised. Pursuant to what seems to have been a general understanding, the course of business was that when school orders were drawn, they were presented direct to the bank, and paid, and charged to the account of Maus. The treasurer’s book of accounts was also kept by some one connected with the bank. At the date of the failure of the bank the account of Maus showed a credit balance of $1,505.60. The contention of claimant is that the sums of money so deposited became a trust fund in favor of claimant, and the balance appearing should be treated and paid in full as such. The receiver admits the deposits, but denies that a trust fund was thereby created. The decree assigns place .to the claim as an ordinary deposit. We think there was no error in this. Unlike a county treasurer, a school treasurer is not forbidden by law to deposit in a bank the public moneys coming into his hands as such; the deposit being made in his name as treasurer. The deposits made by Mans were not therefore wrongful, and no trust arose, either in his favor, or in favor of the school township. Under the circumstances disclosed he stands in the relation of an ordinary depositor, and the township cannot acquire any higher rights,by electing to make claim to the deposit father than to demand an accounting at his hands. The principles involved are so exhaustively discussed in our recent cases of Officer v. Officer, 120 Iowa, 389, and Hunt v. Hopely, 120 Iowa, 695, that we need not again go over the subject. Those cases are decisive of the case before us.

5 Same-county funds. Next in order is the claim of L. T. Aldinger. During the year 1903 this claimant was treasurer of the county of O’Brien, having his office at Primghar, the county seat. The books of the Sheldon bank show that within period beginning May 31, 1903, and ending with the date of the failure, there was deposited in the bank, to the credit of claimant as county treasurer, on open account, the total sum of $6,122.99. As against this, checks had been drawn from time to time, and paid, so that, at the close of business, there remained a credit balance of $2.-688.54. And the claim, as filed, is for this balance. Without dispute the deposit account was made up in this way: On June 4, 1903, claimant made a cash deposit on open account, and also surrendered a certificate of deposit, theretofore issued to him by the bank, and the amount of which was placed to his credit on the open account. The cash was money collected by the treasurer in his official capacity, and the certificate of deposit also represented money so collected. Thereafter — and conforming, as it appears, to a custom long prevailing in the county, and known to the members of the board of supervisors of the county — claimant made out, from time to time, from the tax books of tbe county, tax receipts showing payment of taxes by taxpayers residing in and about Sheldon, and these he signed, and sent to the Sheldon bank by which bank they were,' in turn, delivered to the respective taxpayers, upon payment of the amount called for. As thus collected by the bank, the amounts were passed to the credit of claimant in the deposit account. One of the credit items in the account is for $507.98, and it appears that this represented the amount of the taxes due the county from the bank. On request the tax receipt had been sent to the bank by claimant, and the amount was simply carried to his credit in the account. The contention of claimant is that the deposits of public funds so made was without express authority of the board of supervisors of the county; that said funds were present in the cash items of the bank on hand at the time of the failure and constituted and were a trust fund payable in preference to the payment of any other claims against the bank. Respecting the credit in the account as for taxes due from the bank, it is contended that the transaction did not amount to a payment, and that the amount of such taxes still remains due and unpaid. It is then alleged that the term of office of claimant expired in January, 1904; that he was compelled by the board of supervisors to and did, under protest, pay to the county the full sum of the balance of said deposit account, whereby he became subrogated to all the rights and title of the county, including the right to recover said sum of $507.98, as taxes due and unpaid, and the remainder as of a trust fund. By the decree the claim was established, in the sum of $2,180.56, as a depositor’s claim, and on the bank tax item, in the sum of $507.98, as a general creditor’s claim.

To our minds it is plain that there was no error in the decree of which claimant can complain. Code, section 1457, in effect, forbids the deposit of public funds by a county treasurer in a bank, except when authorized thereto by a recorded resolution, adopted by the board of supervisors, and a bond has been given, etc. Here claimant does not pretend to have had any such authority. Not only were the deposits made by him on his own motion, but the evidence makes it clear that they were so made with the understanding that the moneys would be commingled with the general funds of the bank, and dealt with, in all respects, as a general deposit. A deposit of public moneys thus wrongfully made by a county treasurer does not give rise to any contract rights — as a depositor, or otherwise — in favor of the county. As between the county and its treasurer, the transaction amounted, in contemplation of law, to a conversion. As between the county and the bank, the relation, at best, is that of trustor and trustee under a resulting trust; this assuming, of course, that the bank had notice, at the time of the deposit, of the character of the moneys deposited. That out of such a relation there arises a right of preference, in favor of the county, over ordinary depositors we conclude to be true under the authorities. Page Co. v. Rose, 130 Iowa, 296, and cases cited. As between the treasurer and the bank, however, no trust arises. There is no more than the simple relation of depositor and depositary.

6 Same-subrogation. Counsel for appellant do not dispute these propositions, but they insist, as we have seen, that as claimant was compelled, at the close’ of his term of office, to pay over to the county the amount .shown by the deposit account, he became entitled to be subrogated to all the rights of the county. And, as bearing upon this, counsel point out that, at the time of making settlement with the county, he was told by the board of supervisors that, upon payment, “ I would have the same right to go ahead with the collection of the money for myself, the same as the county might do. They told me to go ahead and enforce the collection.” To the situation, as thus presented, it is manifest to our minds that the doctrine of subrogation can have no application. Subrogation is allowable in equity, only in favor of a person who has advanced money to pay the debt of another, to whom be stood in the position of surety, or where he has been compelled to pay the debt of another to protect his own rights.. 27 Am. & Eng. Ency. 202. It is never allowed in favor of a person who is himself personally liable for the debt he discharges by payment. Bolton v. Lambert, 72 Iowa, 483, Bank v. Bank, 124 Cal. 147 (56 Pac. 787, 45 L. R. A. 863, 71 Am. St. Rep. 36). Nor in favor of one who would thereby reap advantage in any way from his own wrongdoing. Thus a collector of internal revenue, who had paid to the government certain public moneys, which had been unlawfully deposited in a bank that had subsequently failed, was held not. entitled to subrogation to the right of the United States, to claim a preference against the assigned effects of the insolvent bank. Wilkinson v. Babbitt, 4 Dill. (U. S.) 207 (Fed. Cas. No. 17,668). And a guardian who has made an unwarranted investment of the funds in his hands, and who has been compelled to account for such funds, cannot be subrogated to the benefits of the investment. Rowley v. Towsley, 53 Mich. 329 (19 N. W. 20). See also, Guckenheimer v. Angevine, 81 N. Y. 394; Bank v. United States, 148 U. S. 573 (13 Sup. Ct. 702, 37 L. Ed. 564); Sheldon, Subrogation, section 44.

Here the facts fall far short of showing claimant entitled to shelter himself under the rule of subrogation. . In making settlement with the county, he did no more than to satisfy and cancel his own obligation. He paid over a sum' of money, in lieu of moneys which had been collected by him, as shown by the books of his office, and of which, as shown by the evidence, he had made wrongful disposition. And this he did voluntarily. He was not compelled to make the payment except in the sense that every man is compelled to meet and cancel the legal and valid obligations existing against him when properly called upon so to do. And he is not aided by what was said to him on the part of certain of the members of the board of supervisors. As we have seen, there were no contract relations between the county and the bank; and no right to proceed against the bank arose in favor of the county until there had been a failure, on the part of its treasurer, to account for the public money coming into his hands. Claimant, as an outgoing treasurer, accounted promptly, thereby discharging his own obligation, and satisfying every right, legal and equitable, possessed by the county. There was, then, nothing to assign, and we need not stop to consider what otherwise might have been the legal effect of what was done on the part of members of the board.

7. Same. Coming to the bank tax item, appearing in the deposit account in favor of the county as against its treasurer, it is clear that the transaction amounted to a collection by the latter. And, as we have seen, the amount was included in the settlement made' with the county by the treasurer. Here, also, there arose no right of subrogation. It is undoubtedly true that the right of the county to enforce its lien as for taxes due and unpaid could not have been defeated by merely exhibiting the tax receipt in the hands of the bank, and the credit entry appearing in the deposit account. Conceding, then, that the right to a lien was not wholly extinguished by the accounting made by the treasurer at the expiration of his term of office, still payment by such treasurer could not give rise to the right of subrogation, for the simple and sufficient reason that the right of the county was not one capable of assignment. The right of the county is measured, not by contract, but by statute. And it is the right only to assess and collect. This right — inclusive of the power to enforce the tax lien — cannot be farmed out to private individuals. “ It would be a startling proposition to affirm that a city could, for example, sell and assign its tax list to an individual, and authorize him to exercise the high and delicate powers conferred upon the corporation. Why not? The legal answer is that these powers are conferred upon the municipality, to be exercised by it, not to be delegated by it to others.” McInerny v. Reed, 23 Iowa, 410. It ought not to require argument to make it clear that, where there is no right or power of assignment, there can arise no right of subrogation. As said in Trust Co. v. Hart, 76 Fed. 673 (22 C. C. A. 473, 35 L. R. A. 352) : “Inasmuch as a public tax is a debt of such a character- that it cannot be assigned, ... a case must be very exceptional and peculiar when the right arises to be subrogated to the lien of the State or a municipality. It would certainly be contrary to sound public policy to concede that a collector may accept payment of taxes in a mode not authorized by law, and thereafter, when confronted with a possible loss, be allowed the right of subrogation.” See, also, as announcing the same principle, Wallace’s Estate, 59 Pa. 401; Hinchman v. Morris, 29 W. Va. 689 (2 S. E. 683) ; Insurance Co. v. Middleport, 124 U. S. 534 (8 Sup. Ct. 625, 31 L. Ed. 537) ; Sheldon, Subrogation, section 240. From what has been said it follows that there was no eomplainable error in the decree.

Next and last in order is the claim of the National Bank of the Republic of Chicago. The issues here are somewhat involved, and a statement thereof seems necessary, to a correct understanding. The claim is upon three certificates of deposit — such in form — and in each it is certified that W. T. Fenton, vice-president of the claimant bank, has deposited in the Sheldon bank the sum of $5,000, payable to the order of himself, six months after date, also one promissory note executed by the firm of J. W. Fix & Co., as makers, to the Sheldon bank, for $5,000, and indorsed in blank by that bank to claimant. It is alleged that, as collateral security for the payment of said certificates and said note, and any other indebtedness due it, the Sheldon bank assigned and delivered to claimant certain promissory notes, made by the persons and for the amounts, as shown by a list attached to the pleading filed. It is further alleged that, in addition to said collateral notes, the Sheldon bank, before closing its doors, but on the same day, indorsed to claimant, a certain draft for $796, drawn upon the bank of Landenberg, Thalmann & Co., New York; that it charged the amount thereof to claimant on its books, and notified claimant by letter that such draft had been transmitted to it for credit; that inadvertently said draft was not so transmitted, and the same was taken possession of by the receiver upon his appointment; that the New York bank held on deposit funds sufficient to meet said draft when presented. Claimant says that it has made demand for said draft, which demand has been refused; that the receiver has deposited said draft in the First National Bank of Sheldon, and obtained credit therefor, and said bank claims to be the owner of the draft and the fund represented thereby. Further, claimant alleges that prior to the failure, the Security National Bank of Sioux City sent claimant a draft, drawn on the Merchant’s, etc., Bank of Chicago, for $1,000, to be placed to the credit of the Sheldon bank; that before claimant could collect said draft, said Souix City bank, having learned of the failure of the Sheldon bank, stopped payment of said draft; that thereafter said Sioux City bank agreed to allow collection of said draft, upon execution to it by claimant of a writing of indemnity, which was done. Said writing, in substance, was as follows:

Whereas, the Security National Bank did, on November 3, 1903, remit its draft on Merchant’s, etc., Bank for $1,000 to National Bank of the Republic for account of the Sheldon State Bank, and, whereas, payment of said draft was stopped by said Security Bank, and, whereas, said Sheldon Bank is indebted to the Security Bank in the sum of $4,000, secured by various notes which are believed to be ample, and whereas, said Security Bank has this day withdrawn its directions to said Merchant’s Bank to refuse payment on said draft and will permit the same to be paid, now, therefore, the National Bank of the Republic hereby agrees to indemnify said Security Bank fully, but to the extent of $1,000 against the loss upon said note of the Sheldon Bank, and second, against any loss or damage or expense that may be incurred by said Security Bank in turning said draft back to tbe National Bank of tbe Republic and permitting it to be paid. [Signed] National Bank of tbe Republic. Nov. 7, 1903.

Tbe prayer is that claimant may have leave to inter-plead tbe First National Bank of Sbeldon, the Security Bank of Sioux City, and Landenberg, Thalmann & Co.; that the certificates of deposit held by it be established as such, and that the Fix & Co. note be established; that it may be adjudged to hold, as collateral security to all such indebtedness, and any other shown to be due to it, the promissory notes in its hands, and the said drafts for $796 and $1,000, respectively. The receiver, in pleading, denies that the three certificates represent deposits in the Sheldon bank, and asserts that such evidence mere loans of money, admits the Fix note as an item of general indebtedness, but denies that the promissory notes held by claimant were given or are held as collateral to such note, denies that claimant has any title or interest in the said draft for $796 and admits that he has deposited the same in the First National Bank, ahd received credit for the amount thereof. Respecting the $1,000 draft, he alleges that on November 3, 1903, the Sheldon bank had on deposit, on open account, with the Sioux City bank, more than-the sum of $1,000; that on that day the Sioux City bank, on request of the Sheldon bank, forwarded to the claimant bank the draft in question, but on learning the next morning of the failure, it stopped payment, and by letter notified claimant of the situation, and requested the return of the draft, which request was complied with; that on November 7th, and after having been indemnified by claimant, said. Sioux City bank, without right or authority,, again forwarded said draft to claimant, by whom it was collected.

The receiver also filed a cross-bill, as against claimant, asking that his right to said .drafts be established. Claimant, in reply and answer to the cross-bill, reasserted its right to the $796 draft, and further alleged that indorsement of the draft to it was actually made on the back thereof, and that the failure to inclose and forward the draft with the letter of advice was an oversight. Respecting the $1,000 draft, claimant says that the Sioux City bank had no right or authority to stop payment; denies that the draft was ever surrendered to the Sioux City bank, but was returned to it for the sole purpose of an adjustment, whereby payment thereof to claimant could be brought about. Further, claimant says that, on receipt of said $1,000 draft, on November 4th, the same was credited to the open account of the Sheldon bank, and that, at the close of business on that day, the account showed a credit balance of $457.32; that it did not know of the failure until after business hours. The Security National Bank, impleaded, answered the pleading of claimant, admitting that it stopped payment of the $1,000 draft by telegram addressed to the Merchant’s, etc., Bank. And it says that it refused to allow said draft to be cashed, unless the claimant bank would indemnify it “ against any loss it might have in the event collateral, held by it, was not sufficient to pay the indebtedness of the Sheldon bank to it; ” that the claimant bank refused to deliver up said draft, but did agree to and did execute such indemnity; that there was no agreement by which claimant should waive any interest in said draft,' except as expressed in said writing of indemnity. And it is said that the obligations of the Sheldon bank to it were fully satisfied from the collateral in its hands. Following this answer, the receiver filed a cross-bill against the Sioux City bank, alleging, in substance, that said draft was, by claimant bank, voluntarily surrendered back to said Sioux City bank without question or.reservation, and denying right or authority to redeliver said draft. To such bill the defendant bank answered, reaffirming, with some elaboration, the allegations of its answer to the pleading of claimant bank. The First National Bank of Sheldon, im-pleaded, for answer and cross-bill, admitted its possession and claim of ownership of the $796 draft; that the same was presented to it by the receiver, properly indorsed by him, and áccepted in due course, without notice that any person other than said receiver had any right, title, or interest therein. To this cross-bill the claimant bank answered, alleging that the indorsement made to it on the back of'the draft was erased by E. C. Brown, president of the bank, after the receivership, and without authority, and that the same was without effect; that such erasure was with full knowledge of the receiver. Claimant .further states “that the Sheldon bank on the strength of the credit, as shown on its books, of said draft, drew items of exchange upon claimant, many of which were paid before notice of the failure.” And, based on this state of facts, it is said that an estoppel arose in its favor.

By the. decree, the certificates of deposit held by claimant were adjudged to evidence loans of money, and not deposits in the Sheldon bank. The collateral security in the form of notes held by claimant was adjudged to be collateral only to the indebtedness represented by the certificates of deposit, Claimant was ordered to account to the receiver in respect of all moneys collected on the collateral notes, and the whole amount collected was order to be applied in payment of the indebtedness represented by the certificates, without any deduction on account of costs or expenses of collection. An itemized statement, under oath, respecting said matters, was ordered filed within a time fixed. Further, it was adjudged that the $796 draft was the property of the First National Bank of Sheldon, and payment thereof by Landenberg, Thal-mann & Co. was decreed. The receiver was adjudged to be entitled to have the proceeds of the $1,000 draft, and payment thereof by the National Bank of the Eepublic and the Security National Bank, was decreed. The circumstances attending the issuance of the certificates of deposit were not, in any material sense, different from those which obtained in the case of the People’s Savings Bank, supra. And the claim here must be ruled by the conclusion reached on consideration of the Savings Bank claim.

8. Banks and banking: insolvency: collateral security : cost of collecting1. We think that the court did not err in holding that the Fix note was not secured by the collateral notes in the hands of claimant. It seems that prior to December 12,1902, it had been' a more or less frequent thing for the Sheldon bank to send its certificates of deposit to the claimant bank, unaccompanied by security, which certificates were accepted as received, and the amount thereof, less interest to maturity, placed to the credit of the Sheldon bank. And these certificates were spoken of and treated as evidences of loans. On the day named the claimant bank wrote the Sheldon bank, saying: “. . . We are prepared to let you have some more money, in case you actually need it. . . Heretofore we have never asked your bank to comply with our custom with regard to collateral, and I would suggest that if you need additional-accommodation, you send us in a package of your customer’s notes, to be held as collateral to whatever loans you may have in the bank. . . . It is an unusual thing for us to make loans to banks without taking their customer’s notes.” At the time of the writing of this letter, the Sheldon bank was obligated to claimant- on certificates of deposit only. It is true that on occasions claimant had discounted notes drawn payable to the Sheldon bank, signed, in some cases, by Fix & Co., and in others by Big Four Milling Co., but the indorsement on such notes' was, in each case, by E. C. Brown alone. Responding to claimant’s letter, the bank sent in a package of notes, and a line of such securities was maintained down to the time of the failure. About May 1, 1903, the Sheldon bank sent claimant a note of Fix & Co. for $5,000, indorsed by E. C. Brown, and asked discount thereof. Claimant declined, and returned the note. In a letter of date May 8th, claimant was asked if it would cany the Fix note if indorsed by the bank. To this claimant replied in the affirmative, and the note — being the note in question in this proceeding — was sent on, and the proceeds, less discount, credited to the account of the Sheldon bank. This is the situation presented by tbe competent evidence in the record, and therein we find no warrant for holding that by agreement the security, afforded by the collateral notes, was extended to cover the obligation of the Sheldon bank as indorser on the Fix note. Without an agreement no right of security arose. We think the court was in error in refusing to claimant allowance for the reasonable and necessary cost and expénse of collection of the col-laterals. The rule is for allowance. Jones on Pledges, 400. Counsel for receiver does not dispute the rule, but insists that the proof was lacking. As we read the record, there was proof of some cost and expense. Instead of denial of an allowance, therefore, the court should have examined the expense account and allowed so much, or all thereof, as it found to be necessary and reasonable.

9. Same: ofPfunds0n Respecting the draft drawn on the New York bankers for $196, it appears that the Sheldon bank had cashed an exchange item'in that amount issued by the New York bankers, and, pursuant to a banking custom, the draft in question was drawn on November 3d to effect a reimbursement. As drawn, the draft was payable to the order of the bank itself. So far then, the claimant bank had no interest in the matter. After being drawn, an indorsement was placed on the back of the draft, directing payment thereof to be made to the claimant bank. Without doubt, it was the intention of the bank to forward the draft to claimant for collection and credit, but by oversight it was not inclosed with the letter of advice. In our view there is no way in which claimant could get any interest in the draft — or the fund represented by it — prior to its receipt and appropriation. It was intended to be sent forward simply as an item to be credited to the sending bank on open deposit account. The letter of advice cannot therefore be tortured into an assignment of title and interest in the draft and fund represented by it. Such letter amounted to no more than a notice of an intended deposit. And the deposit failed through oversight. It is manifest that the situation was so understood by the claimant bank, because no credit was entered in favor of the Sheldon bank on account thereof. Moreover, it appears that when the letter of advice was sent, the deposit account showed a balance in favor of the Sheldon bank. And it is not pretended that claimant changed its position in any way, relying upon the letter. It may be true that, the Sheldon bank drew checks upon its deposit account following the sending of the letter, but it does not appear that any such were paid.

io. Same. [Respecting the $1,000 draft, it appears that on November 2, 1903, the Sheldon bank, having a deposit account, with the Security Bank of Sioux City, ample for the purpose, wrote that bank as follows: “ Please remit $1,000 to National Bank of the [Republic for our credit.” This letter was received by the Sioux City bank on November 3d, and on that day, in compliance with the direction, it forwarded to the claimant bank the draft in question. On the day of its letter the Sheldon bank charged the claimant bank with $1,00,0, and credited the Sioux City bank with the like sum. And the Sioux City bank, on sending the draft, charged the amount to the deposit account of the Sheldon bank. The draft was received by the claimant bank on November 4th, and credited on its books to the deposit account of the Sheldon bank. Thereafter it was presented for payment, but in the meantime the kfEerchant’s Bank had been advised by the Sioux City bank to withhold payment. So, also, the Sioux City bank requested of the claimant bank a return of the draft, and this request was complied with. Explaining the action of the Sioux City bank, the president thereof testified, as a witness, that the bank held a note for $5,000 against the Sheldon bank, secured by a deposit of collateral notes; that upon learning of the failure, and being fearful that the collateral in its hands might prove insufficient to satisfy in full the $5,000 note, his bank took the step resulting in stopping payment of the draft. The draft was not canceled on its return, nor was the deposit-account of the Sheldon bank given credit for its return. An agent of the claimant bank at once followed the draft to Sioux City. Upon learning the cause of the stoppage of payment, and pursuant to an agreement, the indemnity writing — set out above in connection with the statement of the issues — was drawn up, signed, and delivered to the Sioux City bank, and in return the draft was redelivered. On arrival of the agent in Chicago with the draft it was again presented, and paid. .Without credit for the draft, the deposit account in the claimant bank was overdrawn, at the close of business, in the sum of $450; with credit there was a balance the other way in the sum of $550. On this state of facts we think the court below was in error in reaching the conclusion expressed by the decree. In carrying a deposit account with the claimant bank,- the Sheldon bank was in duty bound to maintain the credit side of the account, in a sum ample to meet all ■ drafts drawn thereon. In line of this, the draft was ordered sent forward, and the underlying agreement on which the account was maintained was a sufficient consideration -therefor. When the Sioux City bank, in. compliance with the order given, executed the draft and deposited the same in the mail, properly addressed, there was, in legal contemplation, ' and on plainest principles, a delivery thereof to the claimant bank. From that time on claimant had a lien thereon to the extent of any balance due it on the deposit account as of the time when the proceeds of the draft should come into its possession. The Sheldon bank, it will be observed, made no effort to recall the draft-, and we need not consider what might have been the situation had there been an attempt, on its part, to do so.

This brings us to consider the effect on the rights of the parties of the recall by the Sioux City bank. And here it is to be remembered that all that took place was between that bank and the claimant bank. As far as appears, the Sheldon bank had no knowledge of what was going on until after the transaction had been concluded. The theory of counsel for the receiver is that the voluntary return of the draft to the Sioux City bank had effect, in favor of the receiver, as a surrender of any and all rights the claimant bank may have become possessed of; that, as in the meantime the receivership had come into existence, the right and title to the draft became vested in the receiver at once, upon its surrender to the Sioux City bank. Hence there was no right in that bank to redeliver, or in the claimant bank to repossession. In our view this theory has no support in reason or authority. To begin with, the Sioux City bank had no possible right to stop payment of the draft, or to recall the same, in its own interests, unconnected Avith the issuance thereof. As to it, the case stood as though an agent of the Sheldon bank had appeared at its counter and bought the draft, paying cash. Its conduct, therefore, was purely gratuitous, and did not operate to affect the rights of anybody. Hence it is that the return of the draft did not have effect as a surrender in favor of the Sheldon bank or the receiver thereof. Most certainly there was no intention, on the part of the claimant bank, to make surrender of its rights in the premises. As matters stood, it was prevented from securing voluntary payment of the draft, and it had been presented Avith a request for return. In its dilemma it adopted the plan of making return, and sending out its agent to deal with the situation. The agent discovered that the Sioux City bank had acted without semblance of right or authority, and it is immaterial to any one, aside from the two banks involved in the transaction, what argument or means was adopted by the agent to secure repossession of the draft. These conclusions seem too plain to -require the citation of authorities. It follows that the judgment against the Sioux City bank was error, and in favor of the claimant bank the decree should be so modified as to require said bank to account to the receiver only for the amount of the draft in excess of the deposit account overdraft.

Complaint is made of the' requirement, put upon the claimant bank by the decree, to furnish a full statement respecting the condition of the loan account, including the matter of collaterals. We see no impropriety in this.

It follows that the decree must be, and it is ordered, modified, in favor of the People’s Savings Bank, to the extent of approving of the appropriation, by said bank, of the deposit balance to the payment of the loan certificate, and the establishment of the remainder of the certificates only as a general claim. In favor of the National Bank of the Republic the decree is ordered modified so far as to confirm the right of said bank, in the $1,000 draft, to the extent of the overdraft appearing on the deposit account of the Sheldon bank, and to account to the receiver for the balance, also to the further extent of allowing claimant such cost and expense as, upon further hearing, the court shall determine has been necessarily and reasonably incurred in. making collection of collateral notes. In favor of the Cedar Bapids National Bank, the decree is ordered modified to the extent of establishing the claim of that bank as one entitled to payment in full, in advance of distribution among creditors. In favor of the Security National Bank the decree, as far as said bank is affected thereby, is reversed. In all other respects the decree is affirmed. The case is ordered remanded, for. such further proceedings and decree, not inconsistent with this opinion, as the necessities of the case may require.— Modified and affirmed.

Ladd, C. J., taking no part.

Case Details

Case Name: Brown v. Sheldon State Bank

Court Name: Supreme Court of Iowa

Date Published: Jul 9, 1908

Citation: 139 Iowa 83

Court Abbreviation: Iowa