Lenders enable both business and consumer borrowers to use a variety of different types of collateral to secure
business loans. There are pros and cons with each type of collateral that impact the interest rate and loan amount. When you secure a loan with collateral, you stand to lose that collateral if you default on the loan.
But consumers and businesses make the mistake of thinking they can use something for collateral
which they do not own, such as the loan itself, or anything they intend to purchase using the money.
Business loans without collateral are almost obsolete.
A collateral loan is also called a secured loan. It is a
business loan obtained from a banking or other financial institution, where in exchange, the creditor may sell that which is offered for collateral if the loan is unpaid. A collateral loan is often offered at a lower
interest rate than an unsecured loan, because there is a guarantee of repayment should the borrower
default on the loan.
Depending on the lender’s requirements, a collateral loan may use different things to secure the loan. Sometimes stocks or bonds are used to establish a collateral loan. Ownership in property may be accepted as collateral, The decision to accept or decline collateral belongs to the lender.
When the borrower defaults, he must sell the property to pay back the loan, and the lender has rights to sell the property also, even if only a portion of the full value belongs to them. In these cases, a lender would sell the home, and give the previous owner the monies not offered on collateral.
A collateral loan may also be based on
expected collateral, like the expected return on a harvested crop, or on an investment. Occasionally, one can use property like high-valued jewelry as collateral, or other high-valued goods. This is rare, as
most collateral loans are based on paper assets, or on real estate.
What Happens to the Collateral When a Secured Loan Is Paid Off ?
If the lender was actually holding the physical item or money, these will be returned as soon as the secured loan is repaid in full. For example, with a secured credit card, the lender holds some of your money in a special account as collateral. If you close the credit card account or convert it to an unsecured card, the lender writes you a check for the amount of your collateral deposit.
With large secured loans, such as
commercial loans, the lender has a lien on the collateral giving the lender the legal right to seize the collateral as payment for the loan if you
default. After you repay the loan in full, the lender sends you a document stating that it has released the lien on your property.
Things to Remember
1. The decision to accept or decline collateral belongs to the lender.
2. A borrower cannot convince a lender which collateral to accept.
3. In today’s global economy, the collateral requirement of most business loan lenders is cash or cash equivalent, such as a Bank Guarantee (BG) or Stand By Letter Of Credit (SBLC).
Useful Links
Why Do Lenders Require Collateral
Interest Rates
Factors Affecting Interest Rates
Modern Finance – Part One
Modern Finance – Part Two
Modern Finance – Part Three
Business Equity Loans
How To Get A Business Loan
How To Secure Business Financing
The Loan Process
Business Loan Advice
How To Manage Cash Flow
Finance, Loans, and Money
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Debt and Equity Financing