Loan Scenario
Norwest Bank had been lending money to Tresch to run a dairy farm. The balance due the bank after several years was $147.000; the loan agreement stated that Tresch would not buy any new equipment in excess of $500 without the express consent of the bank. Some time later, Tresch applied to the bank for a loan of $3,100 to purchase some equipment. The bank refused to make the loan because it did not believe the new equipment would correct the condition for which it would be bought and would not result in significant additional income. Tresch then sued the bank, claiming that its refusal to make the loan was a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Decide.
Although, in this case the lender is accused of acting in bad faith against the bank that gave him the loan, really it seems as if it is he who is acting bad faith. Tresch is apparently pursuing a loan policy that is not in his best interests of fulfilling his contractual obligation to pay his initial loan off, as if he wishes to drive himself further into debt to avoid having to pay back the sum in question....
Additionally, it must give as much consideration to the financial interest of the lending party as it gives to its own financial interest. But this does not mean that it has to give the loan automatically. If a bank refuses to pay a loan that was agreed upon according to contractual terms, this could give rise to a bad faith claim. ("Bad Faith," 2004)
Bad faith claims are most often made against insurance companies, such as when the claim that the company has breached its implied obligation of good faith and fair dealing. "If the company is found to have acted in bad faith in its handling of a claim, the insured is entitled to…
