Opinion ID: 1988079
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Interference With Prospective Business Advantage.

Text: FMS also claimed that Hawkeye tortiously interfered with FMS's prospective business relationships with its clients. Liability under this theory is imposed when a person intentionally and improperly interferes with another's prospective contractual relationships with the sole or primary purpose to injure or destroy the plaintiff. See Willey v. Riley, 541 N.W.2d 521, 526-27 (Iowa 1995). The record lacks substantial evidence to support a finding that Hawkeye acted with the sole or primary purpose of injuring or destroying FMS. As previously discussed, the evidence shows that Hawkeye acted to improve its own financial position by servicing its customers' insurance and annuity needs internally. There is nothing improper about this motive. See Berger v. Cas' Feed Store, 543 N.W.2d 597, 599-600 (Iowa 1996); Wilkin Elevator v. Bennett State Bank, 522 N.W.2d 57, 62 (Iowa 1994). Any harm to FMS was merely incidental to the accomplishment of Hawkeye's primary goal. Consequently, the district court did not err in granting summary judgment to the bank on this claim. See Willey, 541 N.W.2d at 528 (citing cases where claims of intentional interference with prospective contract have been dismissed for lack of substantial evidence to support the claim).