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Fin. Freedom Acquisition, LLC v. Standard Bank & Trust Co.

Illinois Supreme Court, 2015 IL 117950 Opinion Date: September 24, 2015

In this case arising from a 2009 “reverse equity” mortgage, the issue was whether a Bank acting as Trustee of a trust holding property was entitled to the same relief under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) 15 U.S.C. 1601 as the actual consumer borrowers. Want to guess what happened?

Facts

OneWest sued Standard, as Trustee, to foreclose a reverse equity adjustable-rate mortgage: the typical killer loan that Banks promoted to borrowers who later found themselves buried in unsustainable debt. In a stroke of ironic genius, Standard filed a Counterclaim in the foreclosure action based on violations of TILA by OneWest.

Procedural History

The Circuit Court dismissed Standard’s Counterclaim; the decision was affirmed by the Appellate Court because Standard was deemed not to an “obligor” under TILA entitled to rescind the transaction. To this point, Illinois Courts were confirming the common-sense notion that a pro-consumer law should not be used to benefit yet another Bank.

Opinion

The Illinois Supreme Court, however, disagreed and reversed, reasoning that Standard was entitled to the benefits of TILA – including notice of the 3-day right to rescind the loan. As Trustee, the Court pointed out, Standard held legal and equitable title to the underlying real estate while the borrower-beneficiaries held a mere personal property interest in the Trust. Because Standard had not been informed of its “right to rescind,” the period was extended and Standard was deemed to have timely rescinded the loan.

Author’s Note

Really, Illinois Supreme Court? Thousands lose their homes and you redeem the spirit of TILA by giving a Bank the right to rescind? I rest my case.

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