National City Bank of Pennsylvania wins favorable verdict in contract breach lawsuit

Client(s) National City Bank of Pennsylvania

A Pennsylvania civil jury returned a verdict in favor of Jones Day client National City Bank of Pennsylvania in a contract breach lawsuit in which the adult children of a deceased depositor, acting as co-administrators of their mother's estate, alleged that National City permitted their uncle (who was the depositor's brother) to divert in excess of $100,000.00 to himself from their mother's accounts without appropriate authorization. The Ross Estate originally sued NatCity Investments and National City Bank, claiming that NatCity Investments committed breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract, and National City Bank committed breach of contract and conversion. At the close of evidence, the trial court granted NatCity Investment's motion for compulsory nonsuit. At the same time, the Ross Estate voluntarily withdrew its conversion claim against National City Bank, leaving only the contract breach claim. The jury deliberated approximately 90 minutes before reaching its 12-0 verdict, fully vindicating National City Bank and closing the week-long trial.

Mary A. Ross Estate v. NatCity Investments, Inc. and National City Bank, 352-GD-2002 (Fayette County, Pa. Common Pleas Court)