TORPY, J.
We address for the second time a controversy between a payee on a check and the drawee bank regarding the propriety of a service charge for cashing the check when it is presented in person. In Baptista v. PNC Bank, National Ass'n, 91 So.3d 230 (Fla. 5th DCA 2012), we addressed a similar controversy involving similar facts. We held that section 655.85, Florida Statutes (2009), prohibits a bank from charging such a fee. We also held that 12 U.S.C. § 1831a(j)(1) does not preempt the state statute. Although this case involves similar facts, we are asked to confront different
The federal statute at issue here, 12 U.S.C. § 1831a(j)(2) (2012), is contained within Chapter 16 of the United States Code, which pertains to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. That statutory provision is entitled, "Activities of Insured State banks," and provides:
12 U.S.C. § 1831a(j)(2) (2012).
"Activity" is a term of art, which is "defined" as "includ[ing] acquiring or retaining any investment."
The foregoing notwithstanding, even if charging a fee for cashing checks is an "activity," as contemplated in § 1831a(j)(2), 12 U.S.C. § 1831a(i) expressly authorizes states to impose "more stringent restrictions" on the activities of state banks and directs courts to avoid a contrary construction. There are only two possible constructions of § 1831a(j)(2). The first is Appellant's proffered construction — that an out-of-state state bank can conduct any activity that is permissible
Although the trial court erred in determining that § 1831a(j)(2) preempts section 655.85, we agree with the trial court's conclusion that section 655.85 does not afford a private party a cause of action to redress a violation of the statute, an issue we were not asked to address in Baptista. Clearly, there is no express cause of action, and we discern no legislative intent that militates in favor of a judicially implied cause of action. See QBE Ins. Corp. v. Chalfonte Condo. Apartment Ass'n, 94 So.3d 541, 550 (Fla.2012) (primary consideration for determining whether statutory cause of action should be judicially implied is legislative intent). The entire chapter merely establishes "codes" for state financial institutions and empowers the Office of Financial Regulation to enforce the codes. Because it "`merely makes provision to secure the safety or welfare of the public,' it will not be construed as establishing civil liability." Id. at 552 (quoting Murthy v. N. Sinha Corp., 644 So.2d 983, 986 (Fla.1994)).
Next, we address Appellant's statutory claim based on the Uniform Commercial Code — Negotiable Instruments, Chapter 673, Florida Statutes (2012). Specifically, Appellant asserted a claim based on sections 673.4131 and 673.4081 pertaining to a bank's acceptance of a check. Although we conclude that the trial court erred in its determination that this claim was preempted, we nevertheless affirm the disposition on this count because Appellant failed to state a cause of action. Appellant claimed that Appellee varied the terms of the check by redeeming it for less than face value. Although we agree that Appellee varied the terms of
Under section 673.4081, a drawee bank is not liable on a check until the bank "accepts" it. See Elmore v. Palmer First Nat'l Bank & Trust Co. of Sarasota, 221 So.2d 164, 167 (Fla. 2d DCA 1969) (deciding case based on predecessor statute). The drawee bank may either accept the check in accordance with its tenor, or it may accept the check and "vary" the "terms." See § 673.4101, Fla. Stat. (2012). If the holder of the check disagrees with the varied terms, the holder's alternative to acquiescence is to treat the conditional acceptance as "dishonored," in which case the drawee bank has the right to revoke its acceptance, absolving it of liability to the payee under sections 673.4101(1) and 673.4081, Florida Statutes (2012). Here, because Appellant accepted the varied terms, Appellee's sole obligation was to pay the draft as varied. See § 673.4131(1)(b), Fla. Stat. (2012) (acceptor of draft obligated to pay according to varied terms of draft); see also § 673.4101(3), Fla. Stat. (2012). (holder's assent to varied terms discharges drawer and indorser); § 673.6011(1), Fla. Stat. (2012) (obligation of party discharged as stated in Chapter 673).
Appellant also alleged a claim under the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act, sections 559.55-.785, Florida Statutes (2012). We affirm the dismissal of this claim without discussion.
Finally, Appellant's claim for unjust enrichment fails for three distinct reasons. First, the check was an express contract between the maker and Appellant, the obligations on which are discharged under the Uniform Commercial Code or under simple contract principles. See § 673.6011(1), Fla. Stat. (2012). The existence of an express contract negates an action under an unjust enrichment theory. Diamond "S" Dev. Corp. v. Mercantile Bank, 989 So.2d 696, 697 (Fla. 1st DCA 2008) (unjust enrichment claim precluded by existence of express contract between parties concerning same subject matter). Second, because Appellant accepted the bank's varied terms, thereby absolving the bank of liability under the Uniform Commercial Code, his claim for unjust enrichment must fail. And third, because the bank immediately paid the check in exchange for the fee, Appellant cannot claim that it was unjustly enriched. See Pereira v. Regions Bank, 752 F.3d 1354, 1358 n. 6. (11th Cir.2014) (no claim for unjust enrichment where bank provided service of immediately cashing check in exchange for fee).
AFFIRMED.
LAWSON, C.J. and COHEN, J., concur.