Valley Bank of Nevada v. Superior Court

Opinion

RICHARDSON, J.

In this case we consider under what circumstances a litigant may, through ordinary civil discovery procedures, obtain from a bank information disclosed to it in confidence by a customer. We have concluded that although such information is discoverable in a proper case, nevertheless the bank must first take reasonable steps to locate the customer, inform him of the discovery proceedings, and provide him a reasonable opportunity to interpose objections and seek appropriate protective orders.

Petitioner (Bank) sued real parties to recover the balance assertedly due on a…