Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/251/108/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 04:23:38+00:00

Document:
Whether a transaction by a national bank is usurious, and the penalties therefor, must be ascertained from the National Banking Act. P. 251 U. S. 109.
That act adopts the usury laws of the states only insofar as they severally fix the rate of interest. P. 251 U. S. 111.
"take, receive, reserve, and charge on any loan or discount made . . . interest at the rate allowed by the laws of the state . . . where the bank is located, and no more,"
such banks, in discounting short-time notes in the ordinary course of business, may retain an advance charge at the highest rate allowed for interest by the state law, even though such advance taking would be usurious under the state law in the cases to which it applies. P. 251 U. S. 112.
To discount, ex v termini, implies reservation of interest in advance. P. 251 U. S. 114.
respondent subject itself to the penalties prescribed for taking usury by discounting short-time notes in the ordinary course of business and charging therefor at the rate of eight percentum per annum in advance? And we think it correctly answered that question in the negative.
"That every association formed pursuant to the provisions of this act . . . may elect and appoint directors, . . . and exercise under this act all such incidental powers as shall be necessary to carry on the business of banking by discounting and negotiating promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, and other evidences of debt, by receiving deposits. . . ."
"That every association may take, receive, reserve, and charge on any loan or discount made, or upon any note, bill of exchange, or other evidences of debt, interest at the rate allowed by the laws of the state or territory where the bank is located, and no more. . . ."
The National Bank Act establishes a system of general regulations. It adopts usury laws of the states only insofar as they severally fix the rate of interest. Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank v. Dearing, supra; National Bank v. Johnson, 104 U. S. 271; Haseltine v. Central Bank of Springfield, supra.
"Sec. 3426. What is Lawful Interest. The legal rate of interest shall remain seven percentum per annum where the rate percent is not named in the contract, and any higher rate must be specified in writing, but in no event to exceed eight percent per annum."
"Sec. 3427. What is Usury. Usury is the reserving and taking, or contracting to reserve and take, either directly or by indirection, a greater sum for the use of money than the lawful interest."
"Sec. 3436. Beyond Eight Per Cent. Interest Forbidden.
It shall not be lawful for any person, company, or corporation to reserve, charge, or take for any loan or advance of money, or forbearance to enforce the collection of any sum of money any rate of interest greater than eight percentum per annum, either directly or indirectly by way of commission for advances, discount, exchange, or by any contract or contrivance or device whatever."
If the intent be to take only legal interest, a slight and trifling excess, due to mistake or inadvertence, will not taint the transaction with usury. . . . But if the purpose be to take from the money advanced at the time of the loan, the legal maximum rate of interest, the transaction is an usurious one.
"Nor can we determine, without reference to the evidence, whether the taking of eight percent interest in advance by way of discount was usurious. Eight percent was legal if agreed upon in writing, . . . and it is well settled that the taking of interest in advance on short loans in the usual and ordinary course of business is not usurious if the interest reserved does not exceed the legal rate."
See also Union Savings Bank v. Dottenheim, 107 Ga. 606, 614; McCall v. Herring, 116 Ga. 235, 243.
interest rate allowed by the state law -- in this instance, eight percentum.
"If a transaction of this sort is to be deemed usurious, the same principle must apply with equal force to bank discounts generally, for the practice is believed to be universal, and probably few, if any, charters contain an express provision authorizing, in terms, the deduction of the interest in advance upon making loans or discounts. It has always been supposed that an authority to discount, or make discounts, did, from the very force of the terms, necessarily include an authority to take the interest in advance. And this is not only the settled opinion among professional and commercial men, but stands approved by the soundest principles of legal construction. Indeed, we do not know in what other sense the word 'discount' is to be interpreted. Even in England, where no statute authorizes bankers to make discounts, it has been solemnly adjudged that the taking of interest in advance by bankers, upon loans, in the ordinary course of business, is not usurious."
See also McCarthy v. First National Bank, 223 U. S. 493, 223 U. S. 499.
This view has been generally adopted. Many supporting cases are collected in a note to Bank of Newport v. Cook, 60 Ark. 288, and in 39 Cyclopedia of Law and Procedure 948 et seq.
"The taking of interest in advance, upon the discount of a note in the usual course of business by a banker is not usury. This has long been settled, and is not now open for controversy."
Tyler on Usury (1872) p. 155.
usury to discount commercial paper in the ordinary course of business is absolutely settled. This rule of law arose out of custom, and does not depend upon statute."
Webb on Usury (1898) § 111.
Associations organized under the National Bank Act are plainly empowered to discount promissory notes in the ordinary course of business. To discount, ex vi termini, implies reservation of interest in advance, and, under the ancient and commonly accepted doctrine, when dealing with short-time paper, such a reservation at the highest interest rate allowed by law is not usurious. Recognizing prevailing practice in business and the above stated doctrine concerning usury, we think Congress intended to endow national banks with the power, which banks generally exercise, of discounting notes reserving charges at the highest rate permitted for interest. To carry out this purpose, the National Bank Act provides that associations organized under it may reserve on any discount interest at the rate allowed by the state, and only when there is reservation at a rate greater than the one specified does the transaction become usurious.
The maximum interest rate allowed by the Georgia statute is eight percentum. That marks the limit which a national bank there located may charge upon discounts, but its right to retain so much arises from federal law. The latter also completely defines what constitutes the taking of usury by a national bank, referring to the state law only to determine the maximum permitted rate.
"Sec. 30. That every association may take, receive, reserve, and charge on any loan or discount made, or upon any note, bill of exchange, or other evidences of debt, interest at the rate allowed by the laws of the state or territory where the bank is located, and no more, except that, where by the laws of any state a different rate is limited for banks of issue organized under state laws, the rate so limited shall be allowed for associations organized in any such state under this act. And when no rate is fixed by the laws of the state or territory, the bank may take, receive, reserve, or charge a rate not exceeding seven percentum, and such interest may be taken in advance, reckoning the days for which the note, bill, or other evidence of debt has to run. And the knowingly taking, receiving, reserving, or charging a rate of interest greater than aforesaid shall be held and adjudged a forfeiture of the entire interest which the note, bill, or other evidence of debt carries with it, or which has been agreed to be paid thereon. And in case a greater rate of interest has been paid, the person or persons paying the same, or their legal representatives, may recover back, in any action of debt, twice the amount of the interest thus paid from the association taking or receiving the same: Provided, that such action is commenced within two years from the time the usurious transaction occurred. But the purchase, discount, or sale of a bona fide bill of exchange, payable at another place than the place of such purchase, discount, or sale at not more than the current rate of exchange for sight drafts in addition to the interest shall not be considered as taking or receiving a greater rate of interest."
"Rev.Stats. § 5136. Upon duly making and filing articles of association and an organization certificate, the association shall become, as from the date of the execution of its organization certificate, a body corporate, and as such, and in the name designated in the organization certificate, it shall have power --"
"Seventh. To exercise by its board of directors, or duly authorized officers or agents, subject to law, all such incidental powers as shall be necessary to carry on the business of banking; by discounting and negotiating promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, and other evidences of debt; by receiving deposits; by buying and selling exchange, coin, and bullion; by loaning money on personal security, and by obtaining, issuing, and circulating notes according to the provisions of this title."
"Rev.Stats. § 5197. Any association may take, receive, reserve, and charge on any loan or discount made, or upon any note, bill of exchange of other evidences of debt, interest at the rate allowed by the laws of the state, territory, or district where the bank is located, and no more, except that, where by the laws of any state a different rate is limited for banks of issue organized under state laws, the rate so limited shall be allowed for associations organized or existing in any such state under this title. When no rate is fixed by the laws of the state, or territory, or district, the bank may take, receive, reserve, or charge a rate not exceeding seven percentum, and such interest may be taken in advance, reckoning the days for which the note, bill, or other evidence of debt has to run. And the purchase, discount, or sale of a bona fide bill of exchange, payable at another place than the place of such purchase, discount, or sale at not more than the current rate of exchange for sight drafts in addition to the interest, shall not be considered as taking or receiving a greater rate of interest."
"Rev.Stats. § 5198. The taking, receiving, reserving or charging a rate of interest greater than is allowed by the preceding section, when knowingly done, shall be deemed a forfeiture of the entire interest which the note, bill, or other evidence of debt carries with it, or which has been agreed to be paid thereon. In case the greater rate of interest has been paid, the person by whom it has been paid, or his legal representatives, may recover back in an action in the nature of an action of debt, twice the amount of the interest thus paid from the association taking or receiving the same, provided such action is commenced within two years from the time the usurious transaction occurred. [That suits, actions, and proceedings against any association under this title may be had in any circuit, district, or territorial court of the United States held within the district in which such association may be established, or in any state, county, or municipal court in the county or city in which said association is located having jurisdiction in similar cases. Act Feb. 18, 1875, c. 80, § 1, 18 Stat. 320.]"
in violation of §§ 5197 and 5198 Rev.Stats. when, in discounting short-term notes in the ordinary course of business at its banking house in the State of Georgia, it knowingly reserved in advance a discount at the rate of 8 percentum per annum, computed upon the face of such notes, when, by the laws of Georgia, this was not allowed to be done by state banks of issue.
I agree that this question is to be determined by the provisions of § 5197, but, so far as it depends upon ascertaining the local rate of interest, we must determine it according to the law of the State of Georgia, because the cited sections make that law the criterion. It is settled that, although the consequences of acceptance of usurious interest by a national bank and the penalties to be enforced are to be determined by the provisions of the National Banking Act, the ascertainment of the rate of interest allowable is to be according to the state law. Farmers' & Mechanics' National Bank v. Dearing, 91 U. S. 29, 91 U. S. 32; Union National Bank v. Louisville, &c. Railway, 163 U. S. 325, 163 U. S. 331; Haseltine v. Central Bank of Springfield, 183 U. S. 132, 183 U. S. 134.
"take, receive, reserve, and charge on any loan or discount made, or upon any note, bill of exchange, or other evidences of debt, interest at the rate allowed by the laws of the state. . . . where the bank is located, and no more, except that, where by the laws of any state a different rate is limited for banks of issue organized under state laws, the rate so limited shall be allowed for associations organized or existing in any such state under this title. When no rate is fixed by the laws of the state, . . . the bank may take, receive, reserve, or charge a rate not exceeding seven percentum, and such interest may be taken in advance, reckoning the days for which the note, bill, or other evidence of debt has to run. . . . "
I regard it as clear that by "the laws of the state" is meant not merely acts of legislation, much less a particular act or section or a particular phrase in a single section. In order to determine the point in controversy, we must take all applicable provisions of the statutes as interpreted and construed by the decisions of the court of last resort, and from their combined effect determine what is "interest at the rate allowed by the laws of the state."
"reserving and taking, or contracting to reserve and take, either directly or by indirection, a greater sum for the use of money than the lawful interest."
"It shall not be lawful for any person, company, or corporation to reserve, charge, or take for any loan or advance of money, or forbearance to enforce the collection of any sum of money, and rate of interest greater than 8 percentum per annum, either directly or indirectly by way of commission for advances, discount, exchange, or by any contract or contrivance or device whatever."
I agree that, under the decisions of this Court and the general current of authority, the discounting of short-term notes with a reservation of interest in advance at the highest rate allowed by statute is permissible in the absence of special restriction. Fleckner v. United States Bank, 8 Wheat. 338, 21 U. S. 349, 21 U. S. 354.
Ga. 302. See Mackenzie v. Flannery, 90 Ga. 590, 599; Union Savings Bank v. Dottenheim, 107 Ga. 606, 614; McCall v. Herring, 116 Ga. 235, 243.
The Forrester case was decided April 13, 1915. The claim involved in the present suit includes a series of transactions, the first of which was on November 2, 1914, the last on October 18, 1915. A majority of these were prior to the decision in the Forrester case, and as to them I agree that there was no violation of the federal statute.
With respect to the others, I have reached a different conclusion. The case was decided on a demurrer to plaintiff's petition, in which it was alleged that defendant (now respondent) knowingly received and charged interest in excess of the highest contractual rate allowed under the laws of the state, specifying the particular dates and amounts. This necessarily imports a knowledge at the time of each transaction as to what then constituted the law of the state, supposing such knowledge need be averred.
to place national banks upon a precise equality in this respect with banks of issue organized under state laws, and that, where the local law places a higher or a lower limit upon such banks of issue than upon other lenders of money, the same limit should be imposed upon the national banks.
The section has regard to substance, not merely to form, and in determining what is in substance the local rate of interest, it is fallacious, I submit, to regard the multiplier only (say, 8 percent), and ignore the multiplicand, since both factors have equal influence in producing the result. As in other cases of testing state laws by a federal standard, the question is what is the effect and operation of those laws, as construed and applied by the state court of last resort?
concerning which this Court has more than once held that a law requiring that one class shall be taxed at the "same rate of taxation" paid by another requires that not only the percentage of the rate, but the basis of the valuation, shall be the same. Cummings v. National Bank, 101 U. S. 153, 101 U. S. 158, 101 U. S. 162-163; Greene v. Louisville & Interurban R. Co., 244 U. S. 499, 244 U. S. 515.
The laws of Georgia do not prohibit the taking of interest in advance by a state bank, and they permit it to be charged according to the usual course of banking, with this qualification -- that, if reserved in advance at the highest percentage, or at any percentage that has the effect of yielding to the lender more than at the rate of 8 percentum per annum upon the amount actually loaned, it is usurious. This qualification, which since the decision of the Forrester case must be deemed to be the law of Georgia, has precisely the same effect as if it had been inserted by way of an amending proviso to § 3426 of the Code. That it happens to arise from the construction and application of that section together with §§ 3427 and 3436 by the state court of last resort can make no difference for present purposes.
he is allowed to compound than when he is not, the other elements in the case being the same. Even if the compounded interest is less than might be charged directly without compounding, a statute may forbid enlarging the rate in that way, whatever may be the rules of the common law. The Supreme Court of Missouri holds that that is what the Missouri statute has done. On that point, and on the question whether what was done amounted to compounding within the meaning of the Missouri statute, we follow the state court. Union National Bank v. Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Ry., 163 U. S. 325, 163 U. S. 331. Therefore, since the interest charged and received by the plaintiff was compounded more than once a year, it was at a rate greater than was allowed by Rev.Stats. § 5197, and it was forfeited."
For these reasons, I am convinced that the respondent national bank, in knowingly discounting notes and reserving interest at the rate of 8 percentum per annum upon the face of the notes, in violation of the limitation imposed by the quoted sections of the Georgia Code as construed by the Supreme Court of that state in the Forrester case, charged more than "interest at the rate allowed by the laws of the state," and that therefore the judgment in its favor ought to be reversed.

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