Opinion ID: 1749448
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: Boone National Savings and Loan Association sued Laura J. Crouch on a guaranty that she had signed for the debts of her husband, John A. Crouch, M.D. In her answer, she asserted affirmative defenses and a counterclaim based upon Boone National's alleged violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1691 et seq. Boone National moved for summary judgment on Ms. Crouch's affirmative defenses, asserting that the federal act could not be asserted as an affirmative defense, and moved for summary judgment on the counterclaim on the basis that the claim was barred under the statute of limitations. The trial court granted summary judgment on both the counterclaim and affirmative defenses. The court subsequently entered judgment against Ms. Crouch on Boone National's guaranty claim. After opinion, the Court of Appeals, Western District, ordered the cause transferred to this Court. We have jurisdiction. Mo. Const. art. V, § 10. We hold that the counterclaim is barred by the statute of limitations, but that a purported violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act can be raised as an affirmative defense. Accordingly, the trial court's judgment is affirmed on the counterclaim, the judgment in favor of Boone National on the guaranty claim is reversed, and the case is remanded for further proceedings.