OPINION
Opinion by
Appellant Michael J. Rogers appeals from a partial summary judgment granted in favor of appellee RREF II CB Acquisitions, LLC (RREF). RREF sued Rogers, alleging that he had defaulted on a promissory note with an outstanding balance of $1,502,731.84. RREF moved for summary judgment on its breach of promissory note claim and submitted various records and affidavits to support its motion. By what we construe as eight issues on appeal, Rogers argues that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment because there were many technical defects in RREF’s summary judgment evidence. We affirm.
I. Background
RREF’s petition in the trial court alleged that in 2006, Rogers borrowed $3,000,000 from Texas.State Bank and executed a ten-year -promissory note (the Note) in favor of Texas-State Bank. The petition stated that the Note had becoihe
On June 14, 2014, RREF moved for partial summary judgment on its breach of promissory note claim and incorporated four affidavits and ten exhibits into the motion by reference. At first, each of these affidavits incorrectly referred to the plaintiff as “RREF CB II Acquisitions, LLC” rather than its correct legal name “RREF II CB Acquisitions, LLC.” Rogers objected to this discrepancy. At the hearing, RREF offered to submit corrected affidavits within the next three days. The trial court gave RREF leave to file corrected affidavits after the hearing, which RREF did on October 23, 2014. The trial court gave Rogers seven days to file any supplemental objections or response to the corrected affidavits. On October 30, 2014, Rogers filed objections to the corrected affidavits and to RREF’s proposed summary judgment order. On January 28, 2015, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of RREF’s breach of promissory note claim, granting relief of approximately $1,500,000 for the principal balance on the loan, over $400,000 for accrued interest before and after default, approximately $16,000 for a late charge provided under the note, post-judgment interest at a rate of 17.5%, and costs. The trial court severed that claim, and this appeal followed.
Because Rogers challenges several technical aspects of RREF’s affidavits and exhibits, we discuss each affidavit and exhibit in brief. First, RREF incorporated a testimonial affidavit from Jenna Maytas, who attested that she was the Vice President of Loan Servicing for Quantum Servicing Corporation, which serviced Rogers’s loan. The primary subject of Maytas’s affidavit was a summary of the balance owed on the Note, including interest and principal balances and loan history. Maytas identified herself as a custodian of records for Quantum and represented that she had personal knowledge of the procedure Quantum followed in collecting, verifying, and processing account information for loans. To support her testimony, Maytas principally relied upon and cited to Exhibit 4, a summary of relevant account information that we discuss below.
RREF also incorporated a testimonial affidavit from Jennifer Wimmer. Wimmer identified herself as the Vice President of Loan Workout for the parent company of RREF, a firm called Rialto Capital Partners. Among other things, Wimmer’s affidavit declared that Rogers executed a valid note in favor of Texas State Bank; that Texas State Bank merged with Compass Bank; and that Compass Bank, as success-in-interest to Texas State Bank, assigned the note to RREF. She further testified that under the Note, Rogers promised to repay $3,000,000 at variable interest not to exceed 8.25% in 120 monthly installments, but that in the event of default, interest would “accrue at the highest rate allowable under law.” According to Wimmer’s affidavit, Rogers defaulted on the Note — he did not make any payments on the Note after May 24, 2012, despite an outstanding demand for payment — and a principal balance of $1,502,731.84, exclusive of interest, remained due and payable by Rogers to RREF.
RREF also incorporated two business records affidavits from Wimmer, which to
Exhibit 1 was purported to be the $3,000,000 promissory Note which Rogers executed in favor of Texas State Bank. The exhibit appeared to bear Rogers’s signature and initials on several pages.
Exhibit 2 was identified as “a true and correct copy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Information page showing the merger between Texas State Bank and Compass Bank.” The exhibit describes Texas State Bank as an “inactive institution” due to the fact that it had merged into Compass Bank on March 13, 2008.
Exhibit 3 was a document titled “Assignment of Loan Documents.” The document listed the “Borrower” as “Michael J. Rogers,” the “Assignor” as “Compass Bank as successor-in-interest to Texas State Bank,” and the “Assignee” as “RREF II CB Acquisitions, LLC.” The document set out that Compass Bank had entered a separate “Loan Sale Agreement” with RREF (a document which was also incorporated by RREF as Exhibit 8, infra). Exhibit 3 stated that based on this loan sale, Compass Bank was thereby assigning several instruments — the Note, a related mortgage, and associated loan documents — to RREF. The assignment bore the notarized signature of William H. Douning, Senior Vice President of “Compass Bank as successor-in-interest to Texas State Bank.”
Exhibit 4 was identified by Maytas as a “true and correct copy of interest calculation.” The document summarized vital account information regarding the Note and its surrounding context, including an initial balance of $3,000,000, a principal balance of $1,502,731.82, the applicable interest rates before and after default, and interest accrued. The document provided two account numbers for the loan: an “Old Loan Account” number and a “Quantum Loan Account” number. The document also listed dates of assignment, maturity, and default which corresponded with RREF’s allegations in this suit and with the details provided in other exhibits.
Exhibits 5 through 7 were identified as communications drafted or received by Wimmer and Rogers. Exhibit 5, for instance, was purported to be a letter from Wimmer to Rogers regarding the “loan Rialto Capital recently purchased from Compass Bank.” Attached to the letter was a proposed agreement between Rogers and Rialto, as well as the Assignment of Loan Documents (Exhibit 3). Exhibit 6 was allegedly an email drafted on Rogers’s behalf by Kenneth JUverhard, who identified himself as Rogers’s CPA. Exhibit 7 was purported to be a letter from RREF to Rogers, whereby RREF was attempting to collect Rogers’s debt under the Note.
Exhibit 8 was purported to be the “Loan Sale Agreement” between Compass and RREF, which itself had been referred to in the Assignment of Loan Documents (Exhibit 3) as the basis for the assignment of the Note and related documents to RREF.
Exhibit 9 was described as part of original loan application which Rogers had signed and submitted to Texas State Bank.
Exhibit 10 was purported to be a “Disclaimer of Oral Agreements” signed by Rogers as part of his original loan application.
On appeal, Rogers raises several arguments against RREF’s summary judgment proof. We take up his issues in turn.
II. Standard or Review
We review the trial court’s granting of a traditional motion for summary judgment de novo. See Tex. Mun. Power Agency v. Pub. Util. Comm'n of Tex.,
We review a trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of evidence for an abuse of discretion. See Serv. Corp. Intern. v. Guerra,
III. Correction of Party’s Name
By his first issue, Rogers complains that RREF at first submitted summary judgment evidence which incorrectly identified the plaintiff as “RREF CB II Acquisitions, LLC,” rather than its correct name “RREF II CB Acquisitions, LLC.” Rogers insists that before the mistake could' be corrected, RREF was required to produce evidence justifying a correction, such as proof that there was no entity called “RREF CB II Acquisitions, Inc.”
Rogers produces no authority for this contention, and we find the opposite to be the rule. In the past we have held that a trial court erred by failing to give a party the opportunity to amend his affidavits to cure technical defects. Garcia v. Willman, 4 S.W.3d 307, 311 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 1999, no pet.); see also Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(f) (“Defects in the form of .affidavits or attachments will not be grounds for reversal unless specifically pointed out by objection by an opposing party with opportunity, but refusal, to amend.”). RREF did not refuse to amend the affidavits,- but instead cured the defects.
Rather, the only legitimate grounds for objection would be that the corrected affidavits were filed after the deadline prescribed by rule 166a. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c). Except on leave of court, with notice to opposing counsel, the motion for summary judgment and any supporting affidavits shall be filed and served at least twenty-one days before the time specified for hearing. Id.; Dorsey v. Raval,
Here, the trial court stated, “I will grant leave to file not a new summary judgment, but new affidavits. And I can grant the leave from the bench, I believe.” The trial court orally granted the plaintiff leave to file corrected affidavits using the plaintiffs proper name, “RREF II CB,” within three days of the hearing, and it is undisputed that the plaintiff completed this task. See Wright, 469 S.W.3d at. 755; Pipkin,
Rogers further-argues that the affidavits’ use of the-incorrect name “RREF CB II” was not simply a typo, but a series of “constant testimonial assertions”' which somehow precluded' the trial- court from allowing the errors to be corrected, even with leave. As support for this argument, Rogers cites R & R Marine, Inc. v. Max Access, Inc.
We find R & R Marine to be distinguishable. Here, we find no signs of uncertainty or equivocation between two actual entities — RREF- is a single entity which can certainly identify itself — and there is no indication that these typos were a genuine source of confusion. Instead, this casé more closely resembles a misnomer problem, which occurs when a plaintiff misnames itself or another party in some document but the correct parties are involved in the suit. See Reddy P’ship/5900 N. Freeway LP v. Harris Cnty. Appraisal Dist.,
IV. Personal Knowledge
By his second issue, Rogers protests that the affidavits of Wimmer and Maytas were not based on personal knowledge. Wimmer executed a testimonial affidavit and also two business records affidavits, and Maytas executed a testimonial affidavit. Each affidavit stated that the affiant had “personal knowledge” of all matters stated in the affidavit. The affidavits also described three potential bases for that personal knowledge: the affiants’ jobs, their review of records, and their roles as custodians of records. According to Rogers, this is insufficient. We disagree.
A. Applicable Law
To recover on a promissory note, the plaintiff must prove: (1) the existence of the note in question; (2) that the defendant executed the note; (3) the plaintiff is the owner or holder of the note; and (4) a certain balance is due and owing on the note. Dorsett v. Hispanic Hous. & Educ. Corp.,
A summary judgment may be based on uncontroverted testimonial evidence of an interested witness “if the evidence is clear, positive and direct, otherwise credible and free from contradictions and inconsistencies, and could have been readily controverted.” Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c); see Trico Techs. Corp. v. Montiel,
Rule 166a(f) requires that affidavits supporting summary judgment must “be made on personal knowledge,” Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(f), and must “unequivocally represent the facts as disclosed in the affidavit to be true and within the affiant’s personal knowledge.” Humphreys v. Caldwell,
An affiant’s position or job responsibilities may demonstrate the basis of her personal knowledge. Valenzuela v. State & Cnty. Mut. Fire Ins. Co.,
Review of the pertinent records may also establish an affiant’s personal knowledge in some situations. See In re El DuPont de Nemours & Co.,
Similarly, status as a custodian of records with a relationship to the facts of the case may also help establish the affi-ant’s personal knowledge. Nat’l Health Res.,
B. Application
Here, Wimmer’s testimonial affidavit stated that she was a senior vice president of loan workout at the parent company of RREF, which allegedly owned the Note. Wimmer came to her testimony through review of the pertinent records, and she averred that she or a person under her supervision had custody and control of all of Rogers’s account records. Wimmer’s business records affidavits repeat these assertions and also state that she is “a custodian of the records of RREF.” Finally, her business records affidavits aver that the records for Rogers’s account were kept in the ordinary course of business, whereby it was regular practice to make such records at or near the time of the underlying event or condition, ■with knowledge of the event or condition.
My duties include oversight of Quantum’s receipt of electronic files and loan servicing files for loans purchased by [RREF] and maintenance of and data input with respect to loan histories on behalf of [RREF], Accordingly, I have personal knowledge of the recordkeep-ing methods of Quantum and how Quantum obtained and maintains the account histories discussed herein.
Maytas averred that she had personal knowledge of all matters therein and that she or a person under her supervision had care, custody, and control of the payment records concerning the account of Michael Rogers. Her affidavit continued, “On or about May 22, 2013, Quantum received the electronic files associated with the Note. Thereafter, Quantum employees verified the electronic data against the Compass Bank’s file.”
Applying the. law to- these facts, each affiant made a direct and unqualified claim of “personal knowledge,” see Humphreys,
V. Supporting Documentation Was Properly Attached to Affidavits
By his third issue, Rogers argues that RREF did not satisfy rule 166a(f), Which provides that “[s]worn or certified copies of all papers or parts thereof referred to in an affidavit shall be attached thereto or served therewith.” See Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(f) (emphasis added). Rogers notes that the affidavits were not physically attached to RREF’s motion and were not filed at the same time as the motion.
However, a party satisfies this rule and “achieves the task of ensuring that the evidence is properly before the court either by requesting in the motion that the trial court take judicial notice of the evidence that is already in the record or by incorporating that document or evidence in the party’s motion.” Steinkamp v. Caremark,
It is undisputed that RREF’s ten exhibits were attached to Wimmer’s two business records affidavits. It is also undisputed that RREF’s motion for summary-judgment included a complete list of RREF’s affidavits and their' attached exhibits. The motion stated that , these affidavits and exhibits were incorporated by reference into the motion. With regard to summary judgment motions, incorporation by reference “does not require ‘magic language’; instead, the non-movant simply must alert the court that previously filed documents are being relied upon and make the court aware of which ones are to be considered.” Ramirez v. Colonial Freight Warehouse Co., Inc.,
VI. Business Records Exception
By his fourth issue, Rogers contends that seven out of RREF’s ten exhibits were inadmissible hearsay. According to Rogers, these exhibits were created by third parties, and therefore, special rules governed their admissibility under the business records exception to the hearsay rule. Specifically, he argues that Exhibits 1-5 and 9-10 fail the test we laid out in Abrego v. Harvest Credit Management VII, LLC, wherein we held that “[djocu-ments received from another entity are not admissible under rule 803(6), if the witness is not qualified to testify about the entity’s record keeping.” See No: 13-09-00026-CV,
As we explain below, we find Rogers’s argument unavailing for three reasons. To begin with, only one important exhibit is truly subject to challenge as a third-party business record — Exhibit 4 — and this exhibit was adequately supported by RREF’s summary judgment proof.. Next, four of the contested exhibits were -not subject to challenge under the special rules for third-party business records.' Finally, the two remaining exhibits which Rogers challenges were simply non-essential to RREF’s summary judgment proof.
A. Applicable Law
Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered into evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted and is inadmissible unless a statute or rule of exception applies. Tex. R. Evid, 801(d), 802. The
Under normal circumstances, the predicate for the introduction of a record under the business records exception, Texas Rule of Evidence 803(6), requires proof that (1) the records were made and kept in the course of a regularly conducted business activity, (2) it was the regular practice of the business activity to make the records, (3) the records were made at or near the time of the event that they record, and (4) the records were made by a person with knowledge who was acting in the regular course of business. Tex. R. Evid. 803(6); Powell v. Vavro, McDonald, and Assocs., LLC,
However, special concerns may arise if the subject of the business records affidavit is a document which originated from a third-party. It is true that in Abre-go, we addressed those special concerns by holding that “[d]ocuments received from another entity are not admissible under rule 803(6), if the witness is not qualified to testify about the entity’s record keeping.”
It has been widely held, and we agree, that a document authored or created by a third party may be admissible as business records of a different business if: (1) the document is incorporated and kept in the course of the testifying witness’s business, (2) that business typically relies upon the accuracy of the document’s content, and (3) the circumstances otherwise indicate the document’s trustworthiness. See Nat’l Health Res. Corp. v. TBF Fin., LLC,
Moreover, authorities including the Texas Supreme Court have suggested that if the proponent of the business record verifies the facts underlying the document using a reliable means, based on personal knowledge, this may resolve a third-party record problem. See Duncan Dev., Inc. v. Haney,
B. Exhibit 4 Satisfies Third-Party Business Record Rules
We first turn to Exhibit 4, which is an account summary purportedly created by the affiant Maytas on behalf of Quantum and its client RREF. In evaluating this exhibit, we mainly apply the three-part integration test. See Nat’l Health Res.,
We first note that RREF’s evidence strongly suggests that Exhibit 4 was “incorporated” into RREF’s business records. See Nat’l Health Res.,
The summary judgment record also indicates that RREF typically relied upon the accuracy of the document’s content. See id. For instance, the Loan Sale Agreement (Exhibit 8) shows that RREF relied upon Compass’s accounting of principal and interest as the basis for purchasing Rogers’s debt, reaching a sale price for the debt which was based upon Exhibit 4’s record of the outstanding principal balance plus interest. See Abrego,
As for whether the “circumstances otherwise indicate the document’s trustworthiness,” we conclude that they do. See Nat’l Health Res.,
We conclude that Wimmer and Maytas’s affidavits, together with the exhibits they spo.nsor, .provided a sufficient basis to corroborate Exhibit. 4. RREF demonstrated that this exhibit had been incorporated into RREF’s records, was relied upon for its accuracy,, and verified in terms of its trustworthiness. See id. Because this integration fuliy addressed tlie concerns which surround third-party documents, we find no merit in Rogers’s contention that this exhibit must be excluded as a third-party document; See id.; Simien,
C. Exhibits 1, 3, 5, and 10 Were Not Subject to Challenge under the Special Rules for Third-Party Business Records
Of the six remaining exhibits which Rogers challenges as third-party records, four elude his challenge entirely. First, Exhibit 5 quite clearly did not originate from a third-party. It is a communication to Rogers from Wimmer, .who was the author of the business records affidavits. Thus, Rogers’s challenge to Exhibit 5 as a third-party document is misdirected.
Second, three of the remaining exhibits are not, subject to challenge on the basis of the hearsay rule “because, as contracts, they have legal effect independent of the truth of any statements contained therein and are not hearsay.” See Rockwall Commons,
Third, to the extent that Rogers complains of the authenticity of Exhibits 1, 3, and 10, he did not file a sworn denial of their authenticity as contemplated by rule of civil procedure 93, which provides a means of establishing execution and' assignment, See Tex. R. Civ. P. 93. Under Rule 93(7), where any pleaded action is founded upon a written instrument, the defendant must file a sworn denial of execution or else “the instrument shall be received in evidence as fully proved.” See id. R. 93(7). This Court has held that failure to enter a sworn denial concerning the execution will result in deemed admission of genuine execution; Conover v. Jackson,
Here, RREF properly pleaded a claim founded upon the Note and also pleaded the facts of execution and assignment. Rogers did not properly file a verified denial. Thus, the genuineness of execution and assignment are deemed admitted, and the supporting exhibits themselves “shall be received in evidence as fully proved.” See Tex. R. Civ. P. 93(7)-(8). We therefore find Rogers’s challenge to Exhibits 1, 3, and 10 to be without merit.
Di Exhibits 2 and 9 Were Not Essential Summary Judgment Proof
Rogers also challenges Exhibits 2 and 9 as inadmissible under the special rules for third-party business records. However, even if Rogers is correct, this conclusion would have' no impact on RREF’s case for summary judgment.
Wimmer described Exhibit 2 as a “copy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Information page showing the merger between Texas State Bank and Compass Bank.” RREF offered this exhibit as evidence that title to the Note passed from Texas State Bank to Compass Bank.. Regardless of the. merit of Rogers’s argument, we have already determined that Rogers’s failure to file a sworn denial concerning ownership of the Note-resulted in the deemed admission of the Assignment of Loan Documents (Exhibit 3) — which bears notarized signature of William H. Douning, .Senior Vice President of “Compass Bank as successor-in-interest
Likewise, Exhibit 9 is purportéd to be part of the original loan application which Rogers signed and submitted to Texas State Bank. This exhibit has limited relevance to the execution of the Note. See Dorsett,
E. Summary
We have found Rogers’s challenges - to these exhibits to be either without merit or without any substantial impact on summary judgment. We therefore overrule Rogers’s fourth issue.
VII. CONCLUSORY STATEMENTS
By his fifth issue, Rogers complains that Wimmer’s and Maytas’s affidavits are largely based on conclusory state
On or about August 25, 2006, Defendant MICHAEL J. ROGERS signed a Promissory Note ... given in favor of Texas State Bank. See Exhibit 1 to RREF BRA, a true and correct copy of the Note dated August 25, 2006. Defendant signed the Note on page three, six, seven, eight, and nine of the Note. Page 2 of the Note states that should Defendant default under the terms of the Note, the holder is entitled to recover the full amount due and owing on the.Note at the time of Default.
Similarly, Rogers contends that all portions of Maytas’s affidavit which discuss payment and interest calculations are con-clusory.
A conclusory statement is one that does not provide the underlying facts to support the conclusion and, therefore, is not proper summary-judgment proof. Rizkallah v. Conner,
However, “an affidavit is sufficient summary judgment evidence only when it gives detailed accounts of the facts it attests to or when it provides supporting documents which tend to support the statements made.” Brown v. Mesa Distribs., Inc.,
Here, each of the challenged statements simply summarizes the detailed factual content of RREF’s ten exhibits, which the affidavits refer to and rely upon. Thus, to “the extent that the complained-of statements explain the content of the attached documents, we find that they are not con-clusory.” See Rockwall Commons Assocs.,
VIII. Inconsistency and Contradiction
As the basis for his sixth issue, Rogers cites the rule that summary judgment may be based on uncontroverted testimonial evidence of an interested witness if the evidence is clear, positive, direct, otherwise credible and free from contradictions and inconsistencies, and could have been readily controverted. Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c). Rogers argues that the references to “RREF II CB” in the corrected affidavits are contradictory to and inconsistent with the references to “RREF CB II” in the original affidavits, thereby violating Rule 166a(c). See id.
Other courts have rejected similar arguments based upon similar facts. For instance, in Hernandez v. Lukefahr, the court rejected a similar argument when an affidavit contained a typo in a party’s name. See
Hernandez stands in contrast with the bona fide inconsistencies found in cases such as FFP Marketing Company, Inc. v. Long Lane Master Trust IV.
Here, each affiant testified to a substantively consistent statement of facts which showed that “RREF CB II” was entitled to relief. When this was revealed to be a widespread typo rather than an actual entity, both affiants corrected their affidavits with leave of the trial court. In their corrected affidavits, each affiant unequivocally testified as to the same, substantively consistent statement of facts which showed that the true plaintiff, RREF II CB, was entitled to relief. There is no indication that these typos were a genuine source of confusion or uncertainty, and they did not muddle the issues in the case. See Hernandez,
IX. ESTABLISHING SIGNATURE, ASSIGNMENT OF THE NOTE, AND AMOUNT OWING
By his seventh issue, Rogers argues that RREF failed to establish three elements of a breach of promissory note claim: that Rogers signed (i.e., executed) the Note, that RREF owned the Note through proper chain of title, and the amount due and owing. See Dorsett,
As we previously noted, Rogers failed to file a sworn denial of the validity of the Note and its chain of title under rule 93, which resulted in a deemed admission. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 93(7)-(8); see Conover,
RREF’s exhibits also demonstrate the element that a certain balance was due and owing on the note. See Dorsett,
Moreover, Wimmer and.Maytas incorporated much of the above information into their affidavits as testimony. See FFP Mktg.,
Given that RREF adduced proof sufficient to conclusively show each element of its breach of promissory note claim, we conclude based on our de novo review that RREF carried its burden to show its entitlement to summary judgment. See Sw. Elec. Power,
X. FAILED TO ADJUDICATE AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
By his eighth issue, Rogers argues that RREF failed to conclusively negate his affirmative defenses. However, Rogers does not direct our attention to any rule which required RREF to achieve this task. Instead, “[i]f the party opposing a summary judgment relies on an affirmative defense, he must come forward with summary judgment evidence sufficient to raise-an issue of fact on each element of the defense to avoid summary judgment.” Mena v. Lenz,
XI. CONCLUSION
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Notes
. As another subset of this issue, Rogers complains that the trial court gave him insufficient time — seven days — to respond and ob-.-ject to RREF’s corrected affidavits. Rogers cites rule 166a(c) as support for this argument that twenty-one days were required. In relevant part, rule 166(c) provides:
Except on leave of court, with notice to opposing counsel, the motion and any supporting affidavits shall be filed and served at least twenty-one days before the time specified for hearing, Except on leave of court, the adverse party, not later than seven days prior to the day of hearing may file and serve opposing affidavits or other written response.
Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c). However, each of the two sentences above begin with the same phrase: "except on leave of court,” We have already concluded that the trial court properly granted RREF leave to file late evidence. Rogers cites no other authority as support for his argument.
. In a typical misnomer case, in which a plaintiff misnames the defendant, courts are advised to be "flexible” because "the party intended to be sued has been served and put on notice that it is the intended defendant.” In re Greater Hous. Orthopaedic Specialists, Inc.,
. See, e.g., State v. Valerie Saxion, Inc.,
. See, e.g., Tyco Valves & Controls, LP v. Colorado,
