Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 422 S.E.2d 277 (Ga. Ct. App. 1992). · Go Syfert
Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 422 S.E.2d 277 (Ga. Ct. App. 1992). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“unless an agreement is reached as to all terms and conditions and nothing is left to future negotiations, a contract to enter into a contract in the future is of no effect.”
67 citation events (34 in the last 25 years) across 7 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Agsouth Farm Credit, Aca v. D. Chris West (gactapp, 2019-10-30)
Treatment trajectory · 1993 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1993 2009 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 22 distinct citers.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Agsouth Farm Credit, Aca v. D. Chris West (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2019 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
a promise to make a loan with no specification of the interest rate or maturity date is not enforceable
examined Cited as authority (quoted) L. D. F. Family Farm, Inc. v. Charterbank (3×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2014 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
unless an agreement is reached as to all terms and conditions and nothing is left to future negotiations, a contract to enter into a contract in the future is of no effect.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Access Point Financial, LLC v. Katofsky (2×)
N.D. Ga. · 2023 · confidence medium
J., at 22 (citing , 205 Ga. App. 400, 402 (1992))).
examined Cited as authority (rule) L. D. F. Family Farm, Inc. v. Charterbank (3×) also: Cited "see"
Ga. Ct. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
Bridges, supra at 401 (1); see generally Stedry v. Summit Nat.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Georgia Investments International, Inc. v. Branch Banking & Trust Co. (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2010 · confidence medium
“A lender’s refusal to make a second loan, or even misrepresentations that it would make a second loan, does not bar the lender from recovery of the amount owed under the first loan.” (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 401 (1) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992) (affirming grant of summary judgment to lender on borrower’s “remaining defenses,” which included estoppel).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Darby Bank & Trust Co. v. Captain's Watch, LLC (In Re Captain's Watch, LLC)
Bankr. S.D. Ga. · 2010 · confidence medium
See Oceanmark Bank, F.S.B. v. Stubblefield, 230 Ga.App. 399, 400 , 496 S.E.2d 465 (1998) (“To be binding, any commitment to lend money must be in writing and signed by the party to be charged or some person lawfully authorized by him.”) (citing O.C.G.A. § 13-5-30(7)); id. (“Unless an agreement is reached as to all terms and conditions and nothing is left to future negotiations, the agreement is of no effect.”) (citing Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga.App. 400, 402 (2), 422 S.E.2d 277 (1992) and Beasley v. Ponder, 143 Ga.App. 810 , 240 S.E.2d 111 (1977)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Premier Farm Credit, PCA v. W-CATTLE, LLC (2×)
Colo. Ct. App. · 2006 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga.App. 400 , 422 S.E.2d 277, 279-80 (1992) (statement that "something will be worked out" too indefinite to constitute an enforceable agreement); Ames v. Sundance State Bank, 850 P.2d 607, 610 (Wyo.1993) (promises to "stick with" or "fund [borrower's] operation" too vague to support promissory estoppel or breach of contract claims). 5.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wessinger v. Spivey (In Re Galbreath)
Bankr. S.D. Ga. · 2002 · confidence medium
Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga.App. 400, 403 , 422 S.E.2d 277, 280 (1992).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Burns v. Dees
Ga. Ct. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
However, viewing the facts in Bums’ favor, we will assume that the agreement was for one-third of RCC’s proceeds. 5 Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 401-402 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992). 6 Cumberland Center Assoc. v. Southeast Mgmt. &c.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Autrey v. UAP/GA AG CHEM, INC.
Ga. Ct. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
“Although fraud can be predicated on a misrepresentation as to a future event where the [promisor] knows that the future event will not take place, fraud cannot be predicated on a promise which is unenforceable at the time it is made.” (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 403 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Oceanmark Bank v. Stubblefield (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 402 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992); Beasley v. Ponder, 143 Ga. App. 810 ( 240 SE2d 111 ) (1977).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Thomas Financial Group, Ltd. v. Standard Chartered Bank
Ga. Ct. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
Moss v. Moss, 265 Ga. 802, 803 ( 463 SE2d 9 ) (1995); Drug Line v. Sero-Immuno Diagnostics, 217 Ga. App. 530 ( 458 SE2d 170 ) (1995); Cherokee Falls Investments v. Smith, 213 Ga. App. 603, 604 (1) ( 445 SE2d 572 ) (1994); Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 401 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992); Zappa v. Basden, 188 Ga. App. 472, 475 ( 373 SE2d 246 ) (1988); Sierra Assoc., Ltd. v. Continental Illinois Nat.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Moore v. Bank of Fitzgerald
Ga. Ct. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 401 ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Voyles v. Sasser
Ga. Ct. App. · 1996 · confidence medium
The Voyles were also entitled to summary judgment because the doctrine of promissory estoppel has no application to this case. “ £[E]stoppel applies to representations of past or present facts and *306 not to promises concerning the future, especially where those promises concern unenforceably vague future acts.’ [Cit.]” Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 403 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992); see Loy’s, 174 Ga. App. at 702 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Smith v. McClung
Ga. Ct. App. · 1994 · confidence medium
Pretermitting the question of whether the statements of McClung concerning a future event constitute a promise that is specific enough to be enforced, see Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 403 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992), the Smiths “presented no evidence the promises were made with the present intent not to perform.” Davidson Mineral Prop. v. Baird, 260 Ga. 75, 78 (5) ( 390 SE2d 33 ) (1990).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) West 80 Investors v. Chequers Investment Associates
Ga. Ct. App. · 1994 · confidence medium
“If there was in fact any essential part of the contract upon which the minds of the parties had not met, or upon which there was not an agreement, even though the negotiations evidenced a complete willingness, or even an announced determination, to agree in the future upon such issues as might subsequently arise, it must follow that a valid and binding contract was not made as of the earlier date.” (Punctuation omitted.) Jackson v. Easters, 190 Ga. App. 713, 714-715 (1) ( 379 SE2d 610 ) (1989). “ ‘ “Unless an agreement is reached as to all terms and conditions and nothing is left to…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wachovia Bank of Georgia N.A. v. Mothershed
Ga. Ct. App. · 1993 · confidence medium
As the trial court properly concluded, Wachovia made out a prima facie case for recovery of the deficiencies on the three promissory notes. “ ‘A lender’s refusal to make a second loan, or even misrepresentations that it would make a second loan, does not bar the lender from recovery of the amount owed under the first loan.’ [Cits.]” Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 401 (1) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lake Tightsqueeze v. Chrysler First Financial Services Corporation
Ga. Ct. App. · 1993 · confidence medium
In Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 401 (1) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992), this court held that “ ‘[á] lender’s refusal to make a second loan, or even misrepresentations that it would make a second loan, does not bar the lender from recovery of the amount owed under the first loan.’ [Cit.]” Inasmuch as the appellants do not have a right of set-off against their obligation under the loan between appellant Lake Tight-squeeze, Inc. and the appellee, the trial court did not err in granting the appellee’s motion for summary judgment on its counterclaim.
discussed Cited "see" Lemming v. Morgan (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 402 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992).
discussed Cited "see" Johnson v. Oconee State Bank (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 403 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992).
discussed Cited "see" Southeastern Underwriters, Inc. v. AFLAC, Inc. (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
See Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Tampa Investment Group, Inc. v. Branch Banking & Trust Co. (2×)
Ga. · 2012 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also Troutman v. Troutman, 297 Ga. App. 62, 65 (1) ( 676 SE2d 787 ) (2009). “ ‘[T]he part performance must be part performance of an essential element of the contract sought to be proved, and of a character which would render it a fraud on the (performing party) if the (other party) refused to comply.’ [Cit.]” Bridges v. Reliance Trust Co., 205 Ga. App. 400, 402 (2) ( 422 SE2d 277 ) (1992).
Bridges
v.
Reliance Trust Company
A92A1262.
Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Sep 8, 1992.
422 S.E.2d 277
Peterson, Dillard, Young, Self & Asselin, Louise B. Matte, for appellant., Parker, Johnson, Cook & Dunleuie, R. Wayne Bond, Christopher W. Derrick, for appellee.
Pope, Carley, Johnson.
Cited by 29 opinions  |  Published
2 passages pin-cited by 2 cases
Pinpoint authority: bottom 89%
Citer courts: Court of Appeals of Georgia (2)
Pope, Judge.

Defendant Leon G. Bridges (hereafter “borrower”), jointly with another defendant who is not a party to this appeal, obtained two construction loans from plaintiff Reliance Trust Company (hereafter “lender”). Each loan was in the amount of $175,000 and was for the purpose of constructing one of two 5,000 square foot commercial buildings on land in Cobb County. The loans documents stipulated that the construction was to be made in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted to the lender. After the loans were executed and certain improvements had been made to the land in anticipation of construction of the buildings, the borrower learned that the county would not grant building permits for the planned 5,000 square foot buildings. Instead, development of the land would require the construction of buildings approximately twice as large and twice as costly as those originally planned and specified in the loan agreements. Consequently, few if any requests for advances were made against the loans during the first year and five months after the loans were executed.

When these circumstances were explained to the officer handling the loans for the lender, the borrower claims the officer nevertheless agreed to make advances on the loans without regard to the original plans and specifications so that the borrower could commence construction of the larger buildings. He claims he explained that he could not construct the larger buildings without additional loan funds and that the officer assured him “something will be worked out.” Advances were then made to the full amount of the loans and the buildings were partially constructed but no additional funds were offered to the borrower.

The borrower defaulted on the loans, and the lender filed this action to recover the amounts due under the loans. The borrower answered and filed a counterclaim alleging the lender breached its agreement to extend the additional loan. The trial court granted summary judgment to the lender on its claim and on the borrower’s counterclaim. The borrower appeals.

1. First, we address the borrower’s argument that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment to the lender on its complaint for default of the two loans. According to the borrower, issues remain to be tried on his defenses of estoppel, fraud, mistake, setoff, impossibility, illegality and novation. First, we note that the defenses of fraud and illegality are affirmative defenses which, pursuant to Section 8 (c) of the Civil Practice Act, must be expressly pleaded. The borrower waived these defenses because they were not pleaded in his answer. The borrower did plead the affirmative defenses of estoppel[*401] and setoff.

As will be discussed in Division 2, we hold that the trial court properly granted summary judgment on the defense of setoff. Summary judgment was also correctly granted to the lender on the borrower’s remaining defenses. “A lender’s refusal to make a second loan, or even misrepresentations that it would make a second loan, does not bar the lender from recovery of the amount owed under the first loan.” Rizk v. Jones, 148 Ga. App. 473, 474 (251 SE2d 360) (1978), aff’d, 243 Ga. 545 (255 SE2d 19) (1979). Accord Hartrampf v. C & S Realty Investors, 157 Ga. App. 879 (278 SE2d 750) (1981); Bonner v. Wachovia Mtg. Co., 142 Ga. App. 748 (1) (236 SE2d 877) (1977).

We note, however, that part of the amount claimed as due under each loan was a renewal fee. The record does not support the grant of judgment to the lender for this amount because, although both loans were renewed several times before they were declared in default, each renewal document recited that it was the first renewal of the loan and stated that any subsequent renewal would be subject to a renewal fee. Since the lender waived its right to the renewal fees it could have collected by reciting and acknowledging that the fee would be due only for subsequent renewals, it is not entitled to judgment for any renewal fees. Thus, we affirm the award of summary judgment to the lender except for the amount awarded as renewal fees.

2. Finally, we address the borrower’s argument that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment to the lender on the borrower’s counterclaim for breach of the alleged oral agreement to extend an additional loan to complete the construction of the expanded buildings. We agree with the trial court that enforcement of the alleged oral agreement to make an additional loan is barred by the Statute of Frauds. Pursuant to OCGA § 13-5-30 (7), effective July 1, 1988, any commitment to lend money must be in writing. The borrower argues that a jury issue is created concerning whether the alleged oral agreement was made before or after the effective date of the amendment to the Statute of Frauds. Both the borrower and one of his employees testified, however, that they believed the meeting between the borrower and the lender’s officer, at which the alleged oral agreement was made, occurred in July of 1988. The borrower’s co-defendant also testified that the meeting occurred after building permits were obtained on July 7, 1988.

Moreover, even if a factual issue remains concerning the applicability of the Statute of Frauds to the agreement, the borrower would not be able to prevail on his counterclaim because the alleged oral agreement is unenforceable. By the borrower’s own admission, no definite terms of such a proposed loan were discussed or agreed upon. The facts of this case are similar to those in Hartrampf, supra, in which the lender sued to recover the unpaid balance owing on a note[*402] after a foreclosure sale, and the borrower defended the claim and filed a counterclaim based on the allegation that the lender wrongly refused to honor its agreement to extend a second loan. In that case we held: “The purported second loan ‘commitment’ is no more than [the lender’s] agreement to agree in the future. ‘Unless an agreement is reached as to all terms and conditions and nothing is left to future negotiations, a contract to enter into a contract in the future is of no effect.’ ” Hartrampf, 157 Ga. App. at 881. Accord Sierra Assoc. v. Continental Ill. Nat. Bank &c., 169 Ga. App. 784 (1) (315 SE2d 250) (1984). We reject the borrower’s argument that his testimony concerning his assumptions about the terms of the proposed loan creates an issue of fact for the jury. His assumption that the new loan would contain the same terms as the renewals of the existing loans is not only speculative, and therefore incompetent evidence, but is also invalid since the proposed loan was to be a new and different loan and not merely a renewal of the existing loans.

Citing OCGA § 13-5-31 (2) and (3), the borrower argues that even if the amendment to the Statute of Frauds was in effect at the time the alleged agreement was made, it is not applicable to the proposed loan because his performance under the alleged agreement was accepted by the lender and because the lender committed fraud in permitting the borrower to commence construction of two buildings which were not contemplated in the original loan and then refusing to abide by the agreement to lend additional sums to finish the buildings. The performance argument fails because the lender’s decision to make advances under the written loans for construction of buildings not contemplated under the loans does not establish the lender’s intent to waive the requirements of the written loan and proceed under a different oral agreement. Each loan specifies that at the option of the lender, advances may be made even in the event the borrower acts adversely to the terms of the loan without waiving the lender’s right to demand payment or any other provision or obligation of the loan.

The fraud argument also fails because the alleged oral agreement was unenforceably vague. “A parol contract sought to be enforced as within some exception of the Statute of Frauds . . . must be certain and definite in all essential particulars, and if part performance is relied upon to make (it) enforceable, the part performance must be part performance of an essential element of the contract sought to be proved, and of a character which would render it a fraud on the [performing party] if the [other party] refused to comply.” (Punctuation and citations omitted.) Norris v. Downtown LaGrange Dev. Auth., 151 Ga. App. 343, 344 (259 SE2d 729) (1979). This does not mean, however, that the borrower may bootstrap his argument that the Statute of Frauds does not apply to this case on his allegation of fraud because an unenforceably vague promise will not support an ac[*403] tion for fraud. “ ‘Although fraud can be predicated on a misrepresentation as to a future event where the defendant knows that the future event will not take place (cits.), fraud cannot be predicated on a promise which is unenforceable at the time it is made (cits.). A promise to make a loan with no specification of the interest rate or maturity date is not enforceable and will not support an action for fraud.’ [Cits.] A promise to make ‘construction loans’ without further particularity does not set forth an enforceable contract.” Reuben v. First Nat. Bank, 146 Ga. App. 864, 866 (247 SE2d 504) (1978). “A promise to make a loan with no specification of the interest rate or maturity date is not enforceable and will not support an action for fraud. [Cits.]” Beasley v. Ponder, 143 Ga. App. 810 (240 SE2d 111) (1977). Neither does the doctrine of promissory estoppel apply to this case because “estoppel applies to representations of past or present facts and not to promises concerning the future, especially where those promises concern unenforceably vague future acts.” Reuben, 146 Ga. App. at 866. Consequently, the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment to the lender on the borrower’s counterclaim to enforce the alleged oral agreement to extend an additional loan.

Decided September 8, 1992. Peterson, Dillard, Young, Self & Asselin, Louise B. Matte, for appellant. Parker, Johnson, Cook & Dunleuie, R. Wayne Bond, Christopher W. Derrick, for appellee.

The judgment of the trial court is affirmed with the exception that the trial court is directed to delete from the award that amount awarded as renewal fees, pursuant to our holding in Division 1.

Judgment affirmed with direction.

Carley, P. J., and Johnson, J., concur.