First State Bank of Red Bud sues over unpaid loans

A bank claims two companies and their guarantors owe it more than $1 million total in unpaid loans.

First State Bank of Red Bud filed a lawsuit April 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ryan D. Steffensmeier, Charissa J. Steffensmeier and Steffensmeier Land. It filed a second lawsuit April 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ryan D. Steffensmeier, Eric W. Jacobsen and Urban Rehabs.

First State Bank claims Ryan D. Steffensmeier and Charissa J. Steffensmeier acted as guarantors on multiple loans Steffensmeier Land executed from March 31, 2006, through Jan. 15, 2008.

Since then, both Steffensmeier Land and the guarantors have failed to make required monthly payments for First State Bank, according to the complaint.

"There is now due and owing on the Guaranty executed by Defendant to Plaintiff the sum of $827,682.13, plus interest from February 19, 2010," the suit states. "Defendant is liable for that sum and the interest."

Although First State Bank has demanded the money from the Steffensmeiers and from Steffensmeier Land, they have refused to pay it, the complaint says.

In its second complaint, First State Bank claims Ryan D. Steffensmeier and Eric W. Jacobsen executed a promissory loan on Nov. 14, 2005. Urban Rehabs executed a promissory note on Oct. 8, 2008, which Ryan D. Steffensmeier and Jacobsen guaranteed, according to the complaint.

Ryan D. Steffensmeier and Jacobsen defaulted on all the notes, the suit states. Under their Nov. 14, 2005, Ryan D. Steffensmeier and Jacobsen owe $221,772.05, the complaint says. Under the Oct. 8, 2008, note, Urban Rehabs, Ryan D. Steffensmeier and Jacobsen owe $45,362.47.

In addition to the money it says the Steffensmeiers, Steffensmeier Land, Jacobsen and Urban Rehabs owe it, First State Bank seeks expenses, attorneys' fees, interest and costs.

Joel A. Kunin of The Kunin Law Offices in East St. Louis will be representing the bank in both complaints.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case numbers: 10-L-207, 10-L-208.