Case Citation
Legal Case Name

Paul Reid and Mary J. Reid v. Key Bank of Southern Maine, Inc., Paul Reid and Mary J. Reid v. Key Bank of Southern Maine, Inc. Case Brief

Court of Appeals for the First Circuit1987Docket #972464
821 F.2d 9 3 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 1665 1987 U.S. App. LEXIS 7420 Contracts Commercial Law Torts

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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
4 min read

tl;dr: A borrower’s business collapsed after their bank abruptly terminated a line of credit. The court affirmed a jury verdict for the borrower, finding the bank breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, even though the loan agreement contained a “demand” provision.

Legal Significance: Establishes that the UCC’s implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing applies to lender-borrower agreements, creating a cause of action for breach, and that a “demand” provision does not automatically negate this duty when the overall agreement suggests a continuing relationship.

Paul Reid and Mary J. Reid v. Key Bank of Southern Maine, Inc., Paul Reid and Mary J. Reid v. Key Bank of Southern Maine, Inc. Law School Study Guide

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Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

Plaintiffs Paul and Mary Reid had an ongoing business relationship with Depositors Trust Co., Key Bank’s predecessor. In March 1979, the bank extended a $25,000 line of credit to the Reids’ painting business, which was the largest amount of credit the bank had extended to them. The agreement was documented in a note stating it was payable “On Demand” but also included specific conditions that would constitute default. The Reids relied on this credit line to finance their operations. In mid-May 1979, without prior warning, discussion, or any significant change in the Reids’ financial position, the bank’s loan officer informed Reid that it would make no further advances. The bank then began applying incoming payments directly to the loan balance, repossessed the Reids’ vehicles, and took other collection actions. As a result, the Reids’ business failed, and they lost their home and vehicles. The Reids sued, alleging, among other things, that the bank breached an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. A jury found for the Reids on this claim, and the bank appealed.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: Does a lender breach the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by abruptly terminating a line of credit without notice when the underlying note is payable “on demand” but the overall context of the agreement indicates a continuing credit relationship?

Yes. The court affirmed the jury’s verdict, holding that the bank breached Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Exc

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Legal Issue

Does a lender breach the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by abruptly terminating a line of credit without notice when the underlying note is payable “on demand” but the overall context of the agreement indicates a continuing credit relationship?

Conclusion

This case is a key precedent in lender liability, affirming that the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco l

Legal Rule

Every contract or duty governed by the Uniform Commercial Code, including lender-borrower Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur

Legal Analysis

The court first established that Maine law, through its adoption of U.C.C. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore

Flash-to-Full Case Opinions

Flash Summary

  • Maine law recognizes an enforceable cause of action for breach of
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt

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