First National Bank v. Sybil

Plaintiff, First National Bank of McMinnville (Bank), appeals from a judgment entered in favor of defendant Snyder after a jury trial. This is a breach of contract action in which Bank alleged that Snyder failed to pay a promissory note. Snyder counterclaimed, alleging a breach of an oral agreement. This appeal involves only Snyder’s counterclaim. The dispositive issue is whether the trial court erred in admitting evidence of an oral agreement between the parties. We reverse.

In 1981, Snyder, on behalf of the Sybils, negotiated a $50,000 loan from Bank to fund the purchase of a skating rink.…