Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 753 P.2d 346 (N.M. 1988). · Go Syfert
Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 753 P.2d 346 (N.M. 1988). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“e ensure that the unfair practices act lends the protection of its broad application to innocent consumers.”
155 citation events (80 in the last 25 years) across 9 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Quynh Truong v. Allstate Insurance (nm, 2010-03-04)
Treatment trajectory · 1988 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1988 2007 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 33 distinct citers.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Quynh Truong v. Allstate Insurance (5×) also: Cited as authority (quoted), Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see, e.g."
N.M. · 2010 · signal: see · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence high
e ensure that the unfair practices act lends the protection of its broad application to innocent consumers.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Albuquerque Ambulatory Eye Surgery Center LLC v. Transportation Insurance Company
D.N.M. · 2022 · confidence medium
Co., 170 F.3d 985, 994 (10th Cir. 1999) (quoting Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, 753 P.2d 346, 348 (N.M. 1988)); N.M.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Romero v. TitleMax of New Mexico, Inc.
D.N.M. · 2022 · confidence medium
To demonstrate a violation of § 57-12-2(E)(2), a plaintiff must show (1) “an oral or written statement, visual description or other representation . . . that was either false or 4 The SAC’s allegations are made solely against Defendant and dropped any claims against other defendants named in the FAC. misleading”; (2) “knowingly made in connection with the sale, lease, rental or loan of goods or services in the extension of credit or ...collection of debts,” (3) that occurred in the regular course of business, and (4) “that must have been of the type that may, tends to or does, dec…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Salopek v. Zurich American Life Insurance Company
D.N.M. · 2019 · confidence medium
Fourth, the representation must have been of the type that “may, tends to or does, deceive or mislead any person.” Stevenson v. Louis Dreyfus Corp., 811 P.2d 1308, 1311 (N.M. 1991) (quoting Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 753 P.2d 346, 347 (N.M. 1988)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Guidance Endodontics, LLC v. Dentsply International, Inc.
D.N.M. · 2010 · confidence medium
In Stevenson v. Louis Dreyfus Corp. it was the lack of the other elements — “a false or misleading oral or written statement, ... knowingly made in connection with the sale ... of goods or services ... that may, tends to or does deceive or mislead any person” — which troubled the Supreme Court of New Mexico. 112 N.M. at 99 , 811 P.2d at 1310 (“[F]our elements must be established to invoke the Unfair Practices Act, relying on the definition of an unfair trade practice in NMSA 1978, Section 57-12-2(D)”)(citing Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 102 , 753 P.2d 346…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Carl Kelley Construction LLC v. Danco Technologies
D.N.M. · 2009 · confidence medium
To show a violation of the UPA, Carl Kelley must prove four elements: (i) “an ‘oral or written statement, visual description or other representation ... ’ that was either false or misleading”; (ii) that “the false or misleading representation must have been ‘knowingly made in connection with the sale, lease, rental or loan of goods or services in the extension of credit or ... collection of debts’ ”; (iii) that the representation “must have occurred in the regular course of the represented’] trade or commerce”; and (iv) that the “representation must have been of the typ…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Pedroza v. Lomas Auto Mall, Inc.
D.N.M. · 2009 · confidence medium
To show a violation of the UPA, the Plaintiffs must prove four elements: (i) that USAA “made an ‘oral or written statement, visual description or other representation ... ’ that was either false or misleading”; (ii) that “the false or misleading representation must have been ‘knowingly made in connection with the sale, lease, rental or loan of goods or services in the extension of credit or ... collection of debts’ ”; (iii) that the representation “must have occurred in the regular course of the represented’] trade or commerce”; and (iv) that the “representation must ha…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Billsie v. Brooksbank
D.N.M. · 2007 · confidence medium
Russey v. Rankin, 911 F.Supp. 1449, 1459-60 (D.N.M.1995) (quoting Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank, 107 N.M. 100 , 753 P.2d 346, 347 (1988), overruled on other grounds by, Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 120 N.M. 133 , 899 P.2d 576 (1995)) (internal quotations omitted).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Mulford v. Altria Group, Inc. (6×) also: Cited "see"
D.N.M. · 2007 · confidence medium
In Ashlock , the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that § 57-12-7 did not exempt the plaintiffs UPA claim based on a bank’s failure to pay plaintiff interest due on an account that the bank advertised as being a high interest-bearing account. 107 N.M. at 100-01, 103 , 753 P.2d at 346-47, 349 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Santa Fe Custom Shutters & Doors, Inc. v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc.
N.M. Ct. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
Consistent with its purpose as consumer protection legislation, Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank, 107 N.M. 100, 102 , 753 P.2d 346, 348 (1988); overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 120 N.M. 133 , 899 P.2d 576 (1995), the UPA gives standing only to buyers of goods or services.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Brooks v. Norwest Corp. (3×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
N.M. Ct. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 101 , 753 P.2d 346, 347 (1988) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted); Russey v. Rankin, 911 F.Supp. 1449, 1459-60 (D.N.M.1995) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Chavers v. Fleet Bank (RI), N.A. (2×)
R.I. · 2004 · confidence medium
Similarly, the Supreme Court of New Mexico held, in Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100 , 753 P.2d 346, 349 (1988), that its consumer-protection statute, which contained exemption language similar to DTPA, did not exempt banks from its application.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Teague-Strebeck Motors, Inc. v. Chrysler Insurance (2×)
N.M. Ct. App. · 1999 · confidence medium
NMSA 1978, Section 57-12-10(B) (1987), states that upon finding a willful violation of the act, "the court may award up to three times actual damages." (Emphasis added.) See Ashlock, 107 N.M. at 101 , 753 P.2d at 347 (noting this "permissive language").
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Taylor v. United Management, Inc.
D.N.M. · 1999 · confidence medium
To establish a violation of the UPA’s prohibition against unfair or deceptive trade practices, the Plaintiff must show the following: “(1) Defendants made an oral or written statement that was false or misleading; (2) the false or misleading statement was ‘knowingly made in connection with the collection of a debt’; (3) the representation occurred in the regular course of the representor’s trade or commerce; and (4) the representation ‘may, tends to, or does, deceive or mislead any person.’ ” Russey v. Rankin, 911 F.Supp. 1449, 1449-60 (D.N.M.1995) (quoting Ashlock v. Sunwest B…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Woodworker's Supply, Inc. v. Principal Mutual Life Insurance
10th Cir. · 1999 · confidence medium
The UPA “applies to all misleading or deceptive statements, whether intentionally or unintentionally made.” Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, 107 N.M. 100 , 753 P.2d 346, 348 (1988), overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 120 N.M. 133 , 899 P.2d 576, 583 (1995).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jones v. General Motors Corp.
N.M. Ct. App. · 1998 · confidence medium
Our Supreme Court has emphasized that the purpose of the UPA is to extend the “protection of its broad application to innocent consumers.” Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank, 107 N.M. 100, 102 , 753 P.2d 346, 348 (1988), overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 120 N.M. 133, 140 , 899 P.2d 576, 583 (1995).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Eckhardt v. Charter Hospital of Albuquerque, Inc. (3×) also: Cited "see"
N.M. Ct. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
Thus, an essential element of Plaintiffs claim regarding an “unfair or deceptive trade practice” under the Act is that a “false or misleading oral or written statement, visual description or other representation of any kind [was] knowingly made [by Charter] in connection with the sale, lease, rental or loan of goods or services----” Section 57-12-2(D); Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank, 107 N.M. 100, 101 , 753 P.2d 346, 347 (1988), overruled on other grounds by Surgidev, 120 N.M. at 140 , 899 P.2d at 583 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Russey v. Rankin
D.N.M. · 1995 · confidence medium
To establish that Defendants violated the UPA, the Plaintiff must prove the following: (1) Defendants made an oral or written statement that was false or misleading; (2) the false or misleading statement was “knowingly made in connection with the collection of a debt”; (3) the representation *1460 occurred in the regular course of the repre-sentor’s trade or commerce; and (4) the representation “may, tends to, or does, deceive or mislead any person.” Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 101 , 753 P.2d 346, 347 (1988) overruled on other grounds, Gonzales v. Surgidev…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp.
N.M. · 1995 · confidence medium
It points to Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 102 , 753 P.2d 346, 348 (1988), in which this Court stated, “whether or not state law is preempted by federal legislation in a particular area is an issue directed toward subject-matter jurisdiction.” This sweeping statement linking subject matter jurisdiction to federal preemption, however, goes against the weight of authority from other jurisdictions and does not comport with our discussions of subject matter jurisdiction in Sundance Mechanical, 109 N.M. at 689 , 789 P.2d at 1256 , and Mares v. Kool, 51 N.M. at 41 , 177…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Stevenson v. Louis Dreyfus Corp.
N.M. · 1991 · confidence medium
In Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 102 , 753 P.2d 346, 348 (1988), we stated: “By recognizing that the Act applies to all misleading or deceptive statements, whether intentionally or unintentionally made, we insure that the Unfair Practices Act lends the protection of its broad application to innocent consumers.” The instruction was in error.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hale v. Basin Motor Co. (2×)
N.M. · 1990 · confidence medium
Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 102 , 753 P.2d 346, 348 (1988) (expressing disagreement with In re Klein, 39 B.R. 20 (Bankr.D.N.M.1984) to the extent Klein held that the Act applied only to recurring conduct).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hartman v. El Paso Natural Gas Co.
N.M. · 1988 · confidence medium
As we held in Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, 107 N.M. 100, 103 , 753 P.2d 346, 349 (1988), sb too here, we hold that state (contract) law and federal regulation are not in conflict, and thus there is no pre-emption by any applicable federal statute.
discussed Cited "see" In re Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep Ecodiesel Mktg. (2×)
N.D. Cal. · 2018 · signal: see · confidence high
See Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A. , 107 N.M. 100 , 102, 753 P.2d 346 (1988) (rejecting the argument that the knowingly made requirement means that the statement must have been made with the intent to mislead; adding that applying the statute to all misleading or deceptive statements, "whether intentionally or unintentionally made," ensures that the statute "lends the protection of its broad application to innocent consumers"), overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp. , 120 N.M. 133 , 899 P.2d 576 (1995). • North Dakota.
discussed Cited "see" Two Old Hippies, LLC v. Catch the Bus, LLC (2×)
D.N.M. · 2011 · signal: see · confidence high
See Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 101 , 753 P.2d 346, 347 (1988) (“[N.M.S.A.1978, § 57-12-10B’s] permissive language leads us to conclude that it was within the legislature’s contemplation that in some cases, but not all, the false or misleading statement would be made at the outset with the intent to deceive, and in such cases triple damages would not be unwarranted.”); Teague-Strebeck Motors, Inc. v. Chrysler Ins.
discussed Cited "see" Lohman v. Daimler-Chrysler Corp. (2×)
N.M. Ct. App. · 2007 · signal: see · confidence high
See Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, 107 N.M. 100, 102 , 753 P.2d 346, 348 (1988), overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 120 N.M. 133 , 899 P.2d 576 (1995). {26} These considerations militate in favor of construing the UPA to reach misrepresentations made by and between third parties in the course of commercial transactions, particularly when misrepresentations are designed to enable a manufacturer to sell a product to consumers, as alleged in this case.
examined Cited "see" Campos v. Brooksbank (6×)
D.N.M. · 2000 · signal: see · confidence high
See Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 100-01 , 753 P.2d 346, 346-47 (1988), overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 120 N.M. 133 , 899 P.2d 576 (1995).
examined Cited "see" Diversey Corp. v. Chem-Source Corp. (12×)
N.M. Ct. App. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank, 107 N.M. 100, 101 , 753 P.2d 346, 347 (1988), overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 120 N.M. 133, 140 , 899 P.2d 576, 583 (1995).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Peck v. Progressive Northern Insurance Company (2×)
D.N.M. · 2023 · signal: see also · confidence low
“To state a claim under the UPA, a plaintiff must show that: (1) defendant made an oral or written statement that was either false or misleading; (2) the false or misleading representation was knowingly made in connection with the sale of goods or services; (3) the conduct complained of occurred in the regular course of defendant's business; and (4) the representation may, tends to, or does deceive or mislead any person.” Mulford v. Altria Grp., Inc., 242 F.R.D. 615, 621 (D.N.M. 2007), citing Brooks v. Norwest Corp., 136 N.M. 599, 611 , 103 P.3d 39 (2004); see also Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank …
discussed Cited "see, e.g." State v. Hobbs (2×)
N.M. · 2022 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Ashlock v. 16 Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 1988-NMSC-026 , ¶ 9, 107 N.M. 100 , 753 P.2d 346 17 (“[T]he language of a statute must be construed so that no part of the statute is 18 rendered surplusage.”), overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 19 1995-NMSC-036 , ¶ 16, 120 N.M. 133 , 899 P.2d 576 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." State v. Hobbs (2×)
N.M. · 2022 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 1988-NMSC-026 , ¶ 9, 107 N.M. 100 , 753 P.2d 346 (“[T]he language of a statute must be construed so that no part of the statute is rendered surplusage.”), overruled on other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 1995-NMSC-036 , ¶ 16, 120 N.M. 133 , 899 P.2d 576 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Belanger v. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company (2×)
D.N.M. · 2022 · signal: see also · confidence low
Mulford v. Altria Grp., Inc., 242 F.R.D. 615, 621 (D.N.M. 2007) (citing Brooks v. Norwest Corp., 136 N.M. 599, 611 , 103 P.3d 39 (2004)); see also Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 101 , 753 P.2d 346, 347 (1988).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Palmer v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (2×)
D.N.M. · 2022 · signal: see also · confidence low
“To state a claim under the UPA, a plaintiff must show that: (1) defendant made an oral or written statement that was either false or misleading; (2) the false or misleading representation was knowingly made in connection with the sale of goods or services; (3) the conduct complained of occurred in the regular course of defendant's business; and (4) the representation may, tends to, or does deceive or mislead any person.” Mulford v. Altria Grp., Inc., 242 F.R.D. 615, 621 (D.N.M. 2007), citing Brooks v. Norwest Corp., 136 N.M. 599, 611 , 103 P.3d 39 (2004); see also Ashlock v. Sunwest Bank …
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Mileta v. Jeffryes (2×)
N.M. Ct. App. · 2011 · signal: see also · confidence low
Id.; see also Ashlock v. Sunwest 17 Bank of Roswell, N.A., 107 N.M. 100, 101 , 753 P.2d 346, 347 (1988), overruled on 18 other grounds by Gonzales v. Surgidev Corp., 120 N.M. 133, 140 , 899 P.2d 576 , 583 19 (1995).
George H. ASHLOCK, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
SUNWEST BANK OF ROSWELL, N.A., Defendant-Appellant
17068.
New Mexico Supreme Court.
Mar 22, 1988.
753 P.2d 346
Atwood, Malone, Mann & Turner, P.A., Rod M. Schumacher, Roswell, for defendant-appellant., Bozarth, Craig & Vickers, P.C., Marion J. Craig, III, Roswell, for plaintiff-appellee.
Walters, Ransom, Stowers.
Cited by 54 opinions  |  Published
1 passage pin-cited by 1 case
Pinpoint authority: #33,202 of 633,719
Citer courts: New Mexico Supreme Court (1)

Lead Opinion

OPINION

WALTERS, Justice.

Defendant Sunwest Bank of Roswell (Bank) appeals the trial court’s award to plaintiff George H. Ashlock of $20,081.98 in actual damages and $2,962.88 in costs and attorney fees. Ashlock alleged in part, and the trial court so held, that the Bank violated the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act. The Bank’s argument on appeal is that the trial court’s decision is supported neither by the facts nor the findings. We disagree and affirm the trial court.

In 1981, Ashlock received a mail solicitation from the Bank inviting him to open a new kind of high interest-bearing checking account. Upon making inquiries at the Bank, Ashlock transferred $27,324 from his savings account to the new interest-bearing account. At that time Ashlock believed he had an agreement with the Bank whereby interest would be paid regularly on the funds in the new account. Because of an error at the Bank, however, no interest was paid on or credited to Ashlock’s account. The non-payment came to Ashlock’s attention in 1986 when he went to the Bank on another matter and a bank employee then discovered that his account had never drawn interest. The employee assured Ashlock that the account would start to draw interest that night, and Ashlock, dissatisfied, met several times thereafter with Bank officials attempting to persuade them to pay back interest dúe on his account. Those efforts failed; Ashlock’s suit against the Bank followed.

According to the Bank, the trial court failed to enter necessary findings of fact to sustain the judgment. We have said that “findings are to be liberally construed in support of a judgment, and such findings are sufficient if a fair consideration of all of them taken together justifies the trial court’s judgment.” State ex rel. Goodmans Office Furnishings, Inc. v. Page & Wirtz Constr. Co., 102 N.M. 22, 24, 690 P.2d 1016, 1018 (1984). Here, the trial court found that the Bank advertised its interest-bearing checking account and suggested that savings funds be transferred to such accounts; Ashlock directed the Bank to so transfer his funds; the transfer of $27,324 was completed, but the Bank failed to transfer the sum to an interest-bearing checking account; no interest was paid until the error was discovered in January 1986; the Bank did not advise Ashlock that his new account would not bear interest although the Bank knew that Ashlock believed that it would; the account would have earned an additional $20,081.98 if interest had been paid and kept in the account; the Bank refused to pay Ashlock the back interest on his account.

Four elements must be established to invoke the Unfair Practices Act. First, the complaining party must show that the party charged made an “oral or written statement, visual description or other representation * * * ” that was either false or misleading. Second, the false or misleading representation must have been “knowingly made in connection with the sale, lease, rental or loan of goods or services in the extension of credit or ... collection of debts * * Third, the conduct complained of must have occurred in the regular course of the representers trade or commerce. And, fourth, the representation must have been of the type that “may, tends to or does, deceive or mislead any person.” NMSA 1978, § 57-12-2(C) (Repl. Pamp.1987). Descriptions of unfair or deceptive trade practices include ‘‘failure to deliver the quality * * * o/* * * services contracted for.” Id. § 57-12-2(C)(17). (Emphasis added.)

The Bank argues that the statute requires the statement to be made with the intent to mislead. Such an interpretation imposes an element not provided for by the legislature. Had the legislature wished intent to deceive to be an essential element of the offense, it would have so specified. Richardson Ford Sales, Inc. v. Johnson, 100 N.M. 779, 676 P.2d 1344 (Ct.App.1984). We may infer from the language of the statute that the legislature did not enact such a requirement of intent, because it clearly provides that “[wjhere the trier of fact finds that the party charged with an unfair or deceptive trade practice or an unconscionable trade practice has willfully engaged in the trade practice, the court may award up to three times actual damages * * NMSA 1978, § 57-12-10(B). (Emphasis ours.) That permissive language leads us to conclude that it was within the legislature’s contemplation that in some cases, but not all, the false or misleading statement would be made at the outset with the intent to deceive, and in such cases triple damages would not be unwarranted. Conversely, it suggests also that the legislature anticipated other situations wherein the statement would not be intentionally unfair or deceptive, but could become a false or misleading representation at some time during the life of the transaction.

Additionally, an interpretation that would require the representer to intend to deceive the consumer at the time the representation is made would unwisely open the door to condonation of bait-and-switch trade practices. For example, a business could advertise specific services or goods, obtain orders and payments, yet substitute other services or goods if for some reason the advertised services became onerous or the advertised goods became unavailable. If purity of intent at the moment of making the representation were a complete defense, without regard to the conduct of the representing party before the deal is consummated, the Act would become toothless, and a change of heart at time of delivery of the services or goods would render Section 57-12-2(C)(17) meaningless.

Our construction is in accord with the legislature’s declaration that “[t]he relief provided * * * [by the Unfair Practices Act] is in addition to remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other statutes of this state.” NMSA 1978, § 57-12-10(D) (Repl. Pamp.1987). By recognizing that the Act applies to all misleading or deceptive statements, whether intentionally or unintentionally made, we ensure that the Unfair Practices Act lends the protection of its broad application to innocent consumers.

In the instant case the Bank advertised through the mail and in the newspapers that it would provide an interest-bearing account. The advertisements were representations knowingly made by the Bank in connection with the offering of a service. As a direct result of the advertising and of subsequent discussions with a Bank employee, Ashlock transferred monies into an account for the express purpose of earning such interest. Ashlock sued because of the Bank’s failure to pay interest as advertised and as was indicated to him by the Bank when his funds were transferred. The entire series of acts clearly occurred in the regular course of the Bank’s business. The Bank’s refusal to remedy the situation patently resulted in its failure to deliver the quality of services contracted for, contrary to Section 57-12-2(C)(17).

The Bank urges that this was an isolated occurrence and, consequently, not a violation of the Unfair Practices Act. It cites Klein v. Bronstein, 39 B.R. 20 (Bankr.D.N. M.1984) in support. Klein, a memorandum opinion, is by its very nature without precedential value. Nevertheless, and to clarify New Mexico law, we disagree with Klein to the extent that it holds the Unfair Practices Act applies only to recurring conduct and not to an isolated act. We agree that the language of a statute must be construed so that no part of the statute is rendered surplusage. Klein, 30 Bankr. at 22. However, we do not render the statute’s language regarding statements made in the regular course of trade or commerce as surplusage by holding the Act applicable to any occurrence. The statute makes no distinction between single or multiple instances of prohibited conduct, and we decline to do so.

Lastly, the Bank argues that because it is organized and regulated under federal law and because federal law exists pertaining to unfair or deceptive practices of banks, the doctrine of preemption applies and the Bank is thereby exempt from application of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act. Although this issue is raised for the first time in this court, whether or not state law is preempted by federal legislation in a particular area is an issue directed toward subject matter jurisdiction and therefore may be raised at any time in the course of the proceedings. Perea v. Baca, 94 N.M. 624, 614 P.2d 541 (1980). Accordingly, we consider the issue. SCRA 1986, 12-216(B).

The mere existence of federal legislation in an area of law also addressed by state legislation, without more, is not enough to show preemption. See Morse v. Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Ass’n of Whitman, 536 F.Supp. 1271 (D.Mass. 1982); City of Cleveland v. Public Utilities Comm’n of Ohio, 64 Ohio St.2d 209, 414 N.E.2d 718 (1980). The thrust of those cases and others cited therein is that, under the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution, state law is superseded when state and federal law conflict. The conflict need not be direct for the doctrine of preemption to apply. Morse, 536 F.Supp. at 1280. Additionally, preemption occurs when Congress legislates within a particular field and explicitly or implicitly excludes the states from legislating in that area. When the exclusion of the state is not explicitly articulated by Congress, the courts look at several factors to determine if Congress has implicitly preempted the area. Those factors include: the intent of Congress as disclosed by the statute or its legislative history; the pervasiveness of the federal regulatory scheme; the demand for exclusive federal regulation by the nature of the statutory subject matter; the creation of an obstacle to congressional objectives by enactment of the state law. City of Cleveland, 64 Ohio St.2d at 213, 414 N.E.2d at 721. None of those additional considerations exist here.

With respect to the primary tests, the Bank is unable to convince us that the state statute and federal legislation are in conflict. Likewise, although the Bank cites 15 U.S.C. Section 57a(f)(2)(A)(Supp.l987) as supporting its assertion that federal law applies to national banks to the exclusion of similar state statutes, we find no such language there. 15 U.S.C. Section 57a(f) is an enabling statute directing the Board of Governors to regulate banks, including those nationally organized, in order to prevent unfair trade practices, but there is nothing in its language explicitly excluding enactment of a similar state statute. Nor are we persuaded that the federal statute by implication preempts our Unfair Practices Act. Indeed, 15 U.S.C. Section 57b(e) provides that “[rjemedies provided in this section are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedy or right of action provided by State or Federal law.” We are satisfied that the federal statute has not preempted the New Mexico Act.

In connection with its argument of federal control, the Bank asserts that the Unfair Practices act itself exempts the Bank under NMSA 1978, Section 57-12-7 (Repl.Pamp. 1987). Such a reading of that section, which provides that “nothing in the Unfair Practices Act shall apply to actions or transactions permitted under laws administered by a regulatory body of the state of New Mexico or the United States” (emphasis ours), is antiphrasis at its best. Initially, we have held that preemption does not exist. Secondly, our attention has not been directed to any federal statute or regulation that would evidence the intention of Congress or the federal regulatory branch to regulate, to any extent, the bank’s failure to deliver goods or services as promised.

The court’s undisputed findings of fact, read together, sufficiently establish the necessary facts to satisfy the requirements of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act. The trial court’s judgment is therefore AFFIRMED.

RANSOM, J., concurs. STOWERS, J. (specially concurs).

Concurrence

STOWERS, Justice,

specially concurring.

I would affirm the judgment of the trial court but for reasons other than those stated in the majority opinion. While I agree that Ashlock is entitled to recovery under a breach of contract theory, I do not agree that substantial evidence was presented at trial from which the court could have, found a breach of the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act.

The Bank’s conduct herein did not violate the requirements of the Act. Under this Act, a false or misleading representation to a consumer must be “knowingly made.” NMSA 1978, § 57-12-2(C) (Repl.Pamp. 1987); Richardson Ford Sales, Inc. v. Johnson, 100 N.M. 779, 782, 676 P.2d 1344, 1347 (Ct.App.1984). No such finding was made.

I would, therefore, affirm the trial court on the basis that the Bank breached its contract with Ashlock by failing to pay the interest to which he was entitled.