ORS 41.580: Statute of frauds.

(1) In the following cases the agreement is void unless it, or some note or memorandum thereof, expressing the consideration, is in writing and subscribed by the party to be charged, or by the lawfully authorized agent of the party; evidence, therefore, of the agreement shall not be received other than the writing, or secondary evidence of its contents in the cases prescribed by law: (a) An agreement that by its terms is not to be performed within a year from the making. (b) An agreement to answer for the debt, default or miscarriage of another. (c) An agreement by an executor or administrator to pay the debts of the testator or intestate out of the estate of the executor or administrator. (d) An agreement made upon consideration of marriage, other than a mutual promise to marry. (e) An agreement for the leasing for a longer period than one year, or for the sale of real property, or of any interest therein. (f) An agreement concerning real property made by an agent of the party sought to be charged unless the authority of the agent is in writing. (g) An agreement authorizing or employing an agent or broker to sell or purchase real estate for a compensation or commission; but if the note or memorandum of the agreement is in writing and subscribed by the party to be charged, or by the lawfully authorized agent of the party, and contains a description of the property sufficient for identification, and authorizes or employs the agent or broker to sell the property, and expresses with reasonable certainty the amount of the commission or compensation to be paid, the agreement shall not be void for failure to state a consideration. (h) An agreement, promise or commitment to lend money, to otherwise extend credit, to forbear with respect to the repayment of any debt payable in money, to modify or amend the terms under which the person has lent money or otherwise extended credit, to release any guarantor or cosigner or to make any other financial accommodation pertaining to an existing debt or other extension of credit. This paragraph does not apply: (A) If no party to the agreement, promise or commitment is a financial institution as defined in ORS 706.008, a consumer finance company licensed under ORS chapter 725 or a mortgage banker as defined in ORS 86A.100; or (B) To a loan of money or extension of credit to a natural person which is primarily for personal, family or household purposes and not for business or agricultural purposes or which is secured solely by residential property consisting of one to four dwelling units, one of which is the primary residence of the debtor. (2)(a) Except as provided in this subsection, defenses and exceptions created by provisions of the Oregon Revised Statutes or recognized by the courts of this state do not apply to subsection (1)(h) of this section. (b) An agreement, promise or commitment which does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (1)(h) of this section, but which is valid in other respects, is enforceable if the party against whom enforcement is sought admits in the party’s pleading, testimony or otherwise in court that the agreement, promise or commitment was made. The agreement is not enforceable under this paragraph beyond the dollar amount admitted. (c) Nothing in subsection (1)(h) of this section precludes a party from seeking to prove the modification of any term relating to the time of repayment. (3)(a) If a financial institution as defined in ORS 706.008, a consumer finance company licensed under ORS chapter 725 or a mortgage banker as defined in ORS 86A.100 lends money or extends credit, and subsection (1)(h) of this section applies to the loan or extension of credit, the financial institution, consumer finance company or mortgage banker shall, not later than the time the loan or extension of credit is initially made, include within the loan or credit document, or within a separate document which identifies the loan or extension of credit, a statement which is underlined or in at least 10-point bold type and which is substantially to the following effect: ______________________________________________________________________________ Under Oregon law, most agreements, promises and commitments made by us concerning loans and other credit extensions which are not for personal, family or household purposes or secured solely by the borrower’s residence must be in writing, express consideration and be signed by us to be enforceable. ______________________________________________________________________________ (b) The financial institution, consumer finance company or mortgage banker shall obtain the borrower’s signature on the original document described in paragraph (a) of this subsection and shall give the borrower a copy. [Amended by 1989 c.967 §§1,19; 1993 c.508 §39; 1997 c.631 §373; 2003 c.386 §1]