Universal Bank v. Lawyers Title Ins. Corp.

Appelant, Universal Bank, sued respondents, Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation and Land Title Insurance Company (collectively referred to as Lawyers Title), for, inter alia, breach of title company instructions, fraud and negligence based on the alleged misconduct during the escrow process of Lawyers Title’s issuing agent, Southland Title. The trial court found Southland Title was only an agent for the purpose of issuing the title insurance policy and there was no evidence Lawyers Title allowed Southland Title to be an agent in any escrow capacity in this matter. The trial court thus granted summary judgment in favor of Lawyers Title. Universal Bank appeals. We affirm.

Facts

We review the record and determine this appeal in accordance with the customary rules of appellate review following a summary judgment. (Brantley v. Pisaro (1996) 42 Cal.App.4th 1591, 1594-1602 [ 50 Cal.Rptr.2d 431 ]; AARTS Productions, Inc. v. Crocker National Bank (1986) 179 Cal.App.3d 1061, 1064-1065 [ 225 Cal.Rptr. 203 ]; see Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (c).) This action arises from a loan made by Universal Bank to Abdelmotte Ghoneim in February of 1992. Universal Bank lent Ghoneim…