Groob v. Keybank

Mark P. Painter, Judge.

{¶ 1} This case present two questions of law that have received little judicial attention in Ohio. The first is whether a bank owes a duty to prospective loan applicants to keep their business information confidential. The second is whether a principal is liable for the intentional torts of its agent when the agent’s position aided the agent in committing the tort. We answer yes to both questions.

{¶ 2} Plaintiffs-appellants Jeffrey Groob, Kathryn Groob, and Lowell Bowie contest the trial court’s directed verdict on the issues of fiduciary duty and negligence on the part…