Chapter 409

409.404(2) (2) Account debtor’s claim reduces amount owed to assignee. Subject to sub. (3) and except as otherwise provided in sub. (4), the claim of an account debtor against an assignor may be asserted against an assignee under sub. (1) only to reduce the amount the account debtor owes.

409.404(3) (3) Rule for individual under other law. This section is subject to law other than this chapter which establishes a different rule for an account debtor who is an individual and who incurred the obligation primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

409.404(4) (4) Omission of required statement in consumer transaction. In a consumer transaction, if a record evidences the account debtor’s obligation, law other than this chapter requires that the record include a statement to the effect that the account debtor’s recovery against an assignee with respect to claims and defenses against the assignor may not exceed amounts paid by the account debtor under the record, and the record does not include such a statement, the extent to which a claim of an account debtor against the assignor may be asserted against an assignee is determined as if the record had included such a statement.

409.404(5) (5) Inapplicability to health care insurance receivable. This section does not apply to an assignment of a health care insurance receivable.

409.404 History History: 2001 a. 10.

409.404 Annotation There is no distinction between a party with a security interest in a debtor’s accounts receivable and a party who is an assignee of a debtor’s accounts receivable. Bank of Waunakee v. Rochester Cheese Sales, Inc. 906 F.2d 1185 (1990).

409.404 Note NOTE: The above annotated materials cite to the pre-2001 Wis. Act 10 version of ch. 409.

409.405 409.405 Modification of assigned contract.

409.405(1) (1) Effect of modification on assignee. A modification of or substitution for an assigned contract is effective against an assignee if made in good faith. The assignee acquires corresponding rights under the modified or substituted contract. The assignment may provide that the modification or substitution is a breach of contract by the assignor. This subsection is subject to subs. (2) to (4).

409.405(2) (2) Applicability of sub. (1). Subsection (1) applies to the extent that:

409.405(2)(a) (a) The right to payment or a part thereof under an assigned contract has not been fully earned by performance; or

409.405(2)(b) (b) The right to payment or a part thereof has been fully earned by performance and the account debtor has not received notification of the assignment under s. 409.406 (1).

409.405(3) (3) Rule for individual under other law. This section is subject to law other than this chapter which establishes a different rule for an account debtor who is an individual and who incurred the obligation primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

409.405(4) (4) Inapplicability to health care insurance receivable. This section does not apply to an assignment of a health care insurance receivable.

409.405 History History: 2001 a. 10.

409.406 409.406 Discharge of account debtor; notification of assignment; identification and proof of assignment; restrictions on assignment of accounts, chattel paper, payment intangibles, and promissory notes ineffective.

409.406(1) (1) Discharge of account debtor; effect of notification. Subject to subs. (2) to (9), an account debtor on an account, chattel paper, or a payment intangible may discharge its obligation by paying the assignor until, but not after, the account debtor receives a notification, authenticated by the assignor or the assignee, that the amount due or to become due has been assigned and that payment is to be made to the assignee. After receipt of the notification, the account debtor may discharge its obligation by paying the assignee and may not discharge the obligation by paying the assignor.

409.406(2) (2) When notification ineffective. Subject to sub. (8), notification is ineffective under sub. (1):

409.406(2)(a) (a) If it does not reasonably identify the rights assigned;

409.406(2)(b) (b) To the extent that an agreement between an account debtor and a seller of a payment intangible limits the account debtor’s duty to pay a person other than the seller and the limitation is effective under law other than this chapter; or

409.406(2)(c) (c) At the option of an account debtor, if the notification notifies the account debtor to make less than the full amount of any installment or other periodic payment to the assignee, even if:

409.406(2)(c)1. 1. Only a portion of the account, chattel paper, or payment intangible has been assigned to that assignee;

409.406(2)(c)2. 2. A portion has been assigned to another assignee; or

409.406(2)(c)3. 3. The account debtor knows that the assignment to that assignee is limited.

409.406(3) (3) Proof of assignment. Subject to sub. (8), if requested by the account debtor, an assignee shall seasonably furnish reasonable proof that the assignment has been made. Unless the assignee complies, the account debtor may discharge its obligation by paying the assignor, even if the account debtor has received a notification under sub. (1).

409.406(4) (4) Term restricting assignment generally ineffective. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (5) and ss. 409.407 and 411.303, and subject to sub. (8), a term in an agreement between an account debtor and an assignor or in a promissory note is ineffective to the extent that it:

409.406(4)(a) (a) Prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of the account debtor or person obligated on the promissory note to the assignment or transfer of, or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of a security interest in, the account, chattel paper, payment intangible, or promissory note; or

409.406(4)(b) (b) Provides that the assignment or transfer or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of the security interest may give rise to a default, breach, right of recoupment, claim, defense, termination, right of termination, or remedy under the account, chattel paper, payment intangible, or promissory note.

409.406(5) (5) Inapplicability of sub. (4) to certain sales. Subsection (4) does not apply to the sale of a payment intangible or promissory note, other than a sale pursuant to a disposition under s. 409.610 or an acceptance of collateral under s. 409.620.

409.406(6) (6) Legal restrictions on assignment generally ineffective. Except as otherwise provided in ss. 108.13, 409.407, 411.303, and 565.30 and subject to subs. (8) and (9), a rule of law, statute, or rule that prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of a government, governmental body or official, or account debtor to the assignment or transfer of, or creation of a security interest in, an account or chattel paper is ineffective to the extent that the rule of law, statute, or rule:

409.406(6)(a) (a) Prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of the government, governmental body or official, or account debtor to the assignment or transfer of, or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of a security interest in, the account or chattel paper; or

409.406(6)(b) (b) Provides that the assignment or transfer or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of the security interest may give rise to a default, breach, right of recoupment, claim, defense, termination, right of termination, or remedy under the account or chattel paper.

409.406(7) (7) Subsection (2) (c) not waivable. Subject to sub. (8), an account debtor may not waive or vary its option under sub. (2) (c).

409.406(8) (8) Rule for individual under other law. This section is subject to law other than this chapter which establishes a different rule for an account debtor who is an individual and who incurred the obligation primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.

409.406(9) (9) Inapplicability to health-care-insurance receivable. This section does not apply to an assignment of a health-care-insurance receivable.

409.406 History History: 2001 a. 10; 2011 a. 206.

409.407 409.407 Restrictions on creation or enforcement of security interest in leasehold interest or in leasor’s residual interest.

409.407(1) (1) Term restricting assignment generally ineffective. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (2), a term in a lease agreement is ineffective to the extent that it:

409.407(1)(a) (a) Prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of a party to the lease to the assignment or transfer of, or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of a security interest in, an interest of a party under the lease contract or in the lessor’s residual interest in the goods; or

409.407(1)(b) (b) Provides that the assignment or transfer or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of the security interest may give rise to a default, breach, right of recoupment, claim, defense, termination, right of termination, or remedy under the lease.

409.407(2) (2) Effectiveness of certain terms. Except as otherwise provided in s. 411.303 (7), a term described in sub. (1) (b) is effective to the extent that there is:

409.407(2)(a) (a) A transfer by the lessee of the lessee’s right of possession or use of the goods in violation of the term; or

409.407(2)(b) (b) A delegation of a material performance of either party to the lease contract in violation of the term.

409.407(3) (3) Security interest not material impairment. The creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of a security interest in the lessor’s interest under the lease contract or the lessor’s residual interest in the goods is not a transfer that materially impairs the lessee’s prospect of obtaining return performance or materially changes the duty of or materially increases the burden or risk imposed on the lessee within the purview of s. 411.303 (4) unless, and then only to the extent that, enforcement actually results in a delegation of material performance of the lessor.

409.407 History History: 2001 a. 10.

409.408 409.408 Restrictions on assignment of promissory notes, health-care-insurance receivables, and certain general intangibles ineffective.

409.408(1) (1) Term restricting assignment generally ineffective. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (2), a term in a promissory note or in an agreement between an account debtor and a debtor which relates to a health-care-insurance receivable or a general intangible, including a contract, permit, license, or franchise, and which term prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of the person obligated on the promissory note or the account debtor to, the assignment or transfer of, or creation, attachment, or perfection of a security interest in, the promissory note, health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible, is ineffective to the extent that the term:

409.408(1)(a) (a) Would impair the creation, attachment, or perfection of a security interest; or

409.408(1)(b) (b) Provides that the assignment or transfer or the creation, attachment, or perfection of the security interest may give rise to a default, breach, right of recoupment, claim, defense, termination, right of termination, or remedy under the promissory note, health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible.

409.408(2) (2) Applicability of sub. (1) to sales of certain rights to payment. Subsection (1) applies to a security interest in a payment intangible or promissory note only if the security interest arises out of a sale of the payment intangible or promissory note, other than a sale pursuant to a disposition under s. 409.610 or an acceptance of collateral under s. 409.620.

409.408(3) (3) Legal restrictions on assignment generally ineffective. A rule of law, statute, or rule that prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of a government, governmental body or official, person obligated on a promissory note or account debtor to the assignment or transfer of, or creation of a security interest in, a promissory note, health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible, including a contract, permit, license, or franchise between an account debtor and a debtor, is ineffective to the extent that the rule of law, statute, or rule:

409.408(3)(a) (a) Would impair the creation, attachment, or perfection of a security interest; or

409.408(3)(b) (b) Provides that the assignment or transfer or the creation, attachment, or perfection of the security interest may give rise to a default, breach, right of recoupment, claim, defense, termination, right of termination, or remedy under the promissory note, health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible.

409.408(4) (4) Limitation on ineffectiveness under subs. (1) and (3). To the extent that a term in a promissory note or in an agreement between an account debtor and a debtor which relates to a health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible or a rule of law, statute, or rule described in sub. (3) would be effective under law other than this chapter but is ineffective under sub. (1) or (3), the creation, attachment, or perfection of a security interest in the promissory note, health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible:

409.408(4)(a) (a) Is not enforceable against the person obligated on the promissory note or the account debtor;

409.408(4)(b) (b) Does not impose a duty or obligation on the person obligated on the promissory note or the account debtor;

409.408(4)(c) (c) Does not require the person obligated on the promissory note or the account debtor to recognize the security interest, pay or render performance to the secured party, or accept payment or performance from the secured party;

409.408(4)(d) (d) Does not entitle the secured party to use or assign the debtor’s rights under the promissory note, health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible, including any related information or materials furnished to the debtor in the transaction giving rise to the promissory note, health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible;

409.408(4)(e) (e) Does not entitle the secured party to use, assign, possess, or have access to any trade secrets or confidential information of the person obligated on the promissory note or the account debtor; and

409.408(4)(f) (f) Does not entitle the secured party to enforce the security interest in the promissory note, health-care-insurance receivable, or general intangible.

409.408 History History: 2001 a. 10; 2011 a. 206.

409.409 409.409 Restrictions on assignment of letter-of-credit rights ineffective.

409.409(1) (1) Term or law restricting assignment generally ineffective. A term in a letter of credit or a rule of law, statute, rule, custom, or practice applicable to the letter of credit which prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of an applicant, issuer, or nominated person to a beneficiary’s assignment of or creation of a security interest in a letter-of-credit right is ineffective to the extent that the term or rule of law, statute, rule, custom, or practice:

409.409(1)(a) (a) Would impair the creation, attachment, or perfection of a security interest in the letter-of-credit right; or

409.409(1)(b) (b) Provides that the assignment or the creation, attachment, or perfection of the security interest may give rise to a default, breach, right of recoupment, claim, defense, termination, right of termination, or remedy under the letter-of-credit right.

409.409(2) (2) Limitation on ineffectiveness under sub. (1). To the extent that a term in a letter of credit is ineffective under sub. (1) but would be effective under law other than this chapter or a custom or practice applicable to the letter of credit, to the transfer of a right to draw or otherwise demand performance under the letter of credit, or to the assignment of a right to proceeds of the letter of credit, the creation, attachment, or perfection of a security interest in the letter-of-credit right:

409.409(2)(a) (a) Is not enforceable against the applicant, issuer, nominated person, or transferee beneficiary;

409.409(2)(b) (b) Imposes no duties or obligations on the applicant, issuer, nominated person, or transferee beneficiary; and

409.409(2)(c) (c) Does not require the applicant, issuer, nominated person, or transferee beneficiary to recognize the security interest, pay or render performance to the secured party, or accept payment or other performance from the secured party.

409.409 History History: 2001 a. 10.

subch. V of ch. 409 SUBCHAPTER V

FILING

409.501 409.501 Filing office.

409.501(1) (1) Filing offices. Except as otherwise provided in sub. (2), if the local law of this state governs perfection of a security interest or agricultural lien, the office in which to file a financing statement to perfect the security interest or agricultural lien is:

409.501(1)(a) (a) The office designated for the filing or recording of a record of a mortgage on the related real property, if:

409.501(1)(a)1. 1. The collateral is as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut; or

409.501(1)(a)2. 2. The financing statement is filed as a fixture filing and the collateral is goods that are or are to become fixtures; or

409.501(1)(b) (b) The office of the department of financial institutions or any office duly authorized by the department, in all other cases, including a case in which the collateral is goods that are or are to become fixtures and the financing statement is not filed as a fixture filing.

409.501(2) (2) Filing office for transmitting utilities. The office in which to file a financing statement to perfect a security interest in collateral, including fixtures, of a transmitting utility is the office of the department of financial institutions. The financing statement also constitutes a fixture filing as to the collateral indicated in the financing statement which is or is to become fixtures.

409.501 History History: 2001 a. 10.

409.502 409.502 Contents of financing statement; record of mortgage as financing statement; time of filing financing statement.

409.502(1) (1) Sufficiency of financing statement. Subject to sub. (2), a financing statement is sufficient only if it:

409.502(1)(a) (a) Provides the name of the debtor;

409.502(1)(b) (b) Provides the name of the secured party or a representative of the secured party; and

409.502(1)(c) (c) Indicates the collateral covered by the financing statement.

409.502(2) (2) Real-property-related financing statements. Except as otherwise provided in s. 409.501 (2), to be sufficient, a financing statement that covers as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut, or which is filed as a fixture filing and covers goods that are or are to become fixtures, must satisfy sub. (1) and also:

409.502(2)(a) (a) Indicate that it covers this type of collateral;

409.502(2)(b) (b) Indicate that it is to be filed for record in the real property records;

409.502(2)(c) (c) Provide a description of the real property to which the collateral is related sufficient to give constructive notice of a mortgage under the law of this state if the description were contained in a record of the mortgage of the real property; and