REFinBlog

Editor: David Reiss
Cornell Law School

February 19, 2013

Utah District Court Holds that MERS has Authority to Initiate Non-Judicial Foreclosure and to Assign Beneficial Interest

By Justin Rothman

In Burnett v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., No. 1:09 CV 00069 DAK, 2009 WL 3582294 (D. Utah Oct. 27, 2009), the United States District Court of Utah held that Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc (“MERS”) had authority to initiate … Continue reading

February 18, 2013

Idaho Bankruptcy Court Rules Banks/MERS Lacked Authority to Transfer Notes

By Rafe Serouya

In In re WIlhem, 407 B.R. 392 (Bankr. D. Idaho 2009), the Idaho Bankruptcy Court, ruling in 5 similar cases, held that movant banks lacked standing to seek stay relief, and therefore, denied their motions. Movants did not demonstrate possession of the … Continue reading

February 15, 2013

The Michigan District Court holds that Aurora Bank has Standing to Foreclose on Homeowners’ Property

By Robert Huberman

In Horton v. Aurora Bank FSB, 1:12-CV-365, 2012 WL 3307451 (W.D. Mich. Aug. 13, 2012), the Michigan District Court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss Aaron and Suzanne Hortons’ claims. In January 2007, the Hortons purchased property and executed a promissory note, … Continue reading

February 14, 2013

Rhode Island Superior Court Rejects Plaintiff’s Challenge of the Validity of MERS’s Assignment

By Karl Dowden

In Cafua v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, et al., C.A. No. PC 2009-7407, (R.I. Super. June 20, 2012), the plaintiff alleged defaults in the foreclosure process prevented the foreclosing party (HSBC) from having the statutory power of sale. Specifically, the … Continue reading

February 13, 2013

Michigan District Court holds that a Mortgage is Valid and Enforceable even if it is separated from the Promissory Note

By Robert Huberman

In Marrocco v. Chase Bank, N.A., 12-10605, 2012 WL 3061031 (E.D. Mich. July 26, 2012), the Michigan District Court granted Chase Bank’s and MERS’s motion to dismiss. Marrocco obtained a loan of $181,000 from GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc. As security … Continue reading

February 12, 2013

The Michigan District Court holds that MERS has Standing to Initiate a Foreclosure by Advertisement

By Robert Huberman

In Matthews v. Mortgage Elec. Registration Sys., 10-CV-13740, 2011 WL 2563180 (E.D. Mich. June 28, 2011), the Michigan District Court, affirmed the Magistrate Judge’s determination that MERS had standing to foreclose on the Matthews’ property. Shelia and Eugene Matthews took … Continue reading

Federal District Court in Virginia Rules for Banks/MERS in Foreclosure Case

By Rafe Serouya

In Tapia v. U.S Bank, N.A., 718 F. Supp. 2d 689 (E.D. Va. 2010) aff’d, 441 F. App’x 166 (4th Cir. 2011), the Court granted all of Defendants’ motions to dismiss. The Judge held that declaratory judgment that the foreclosure proceeding … Continue reading