Privy Bank Ltd (\"the bank") is a newly launched bank specialising in mortgage loans to rst~ time property buyers. The bank employed Alan as the \"Branch Manager" of the Woodlands' branch, but he does not have the express power to approve loans more than $500,000. Only the bank's authorised representatives at its city branch have the power to approve loans beyond this limit. Tom, a rst-time property buyer, met up with Alan and applied for a $800,000 loan from the bank to enabie him to buy his dream home in Woodlands. Alan immediately approved Tom's application and despatched the Bank's standard Letter of Offer (LOA) to him. When Tom received the LOA, he was puzzled by the printed words below Alan's signature, \"signed on behalfofthe Bank by its duly authorised representatives\" (in the plural). He had no knowledge of the bank's internal authorization protocols. Feeling uneasy about this obvious discrepancy, Torn asked Alan if he alone had the authority to sign, and Alan assured him that he indeed had the sole authority as \"General Manager\" of the branch to Sign. In fact, there is no tncrionary in the bank as a 'General Manager". Assured by Alan's condent response, Torn signed the bank's LOA. A few days Eater, Tom received a ietter from the bank's city branch stating that it was not bound to provide the loan because Alan did not have the requisite authority to approve the loan on his own. The bank further said that it had carefully considered the matter but decided not to approve the $800,000 loan. Unable to secure the full loan, Tom had no choice but to abort the purchase. (a) Can Tom enforce the loan agreement, which he entered into with Alan, against Privy Bank Ltd? (b) Assuming that Alan did not have Privy Bank. Ltd's actual or apparent authority to enter into the loan agreement, does Tom have any claim against Alan