Types of Collateral

There are infinite numbers of types of collateral asengineering firms and at agreed price assumptions and
virtually anything can be used for such purpose as longany discounts applicable can be used as collateral for
as it is acceptable to the lender. The nature ofcertain types of loans, especially long term loans and
collateral acceptable for any loan would depend on theproject-tied loans. The borrower is assumed to be the
type of loan, structure, tenor, amount, etc. The followingowner or is in control of such natural resources.
are some of the common types of types of collateral4. Marketable Securities
usually demanded and accepted by commercial loanStocks/Shares and Bonds of quoted blue-chip
lenders. Real Estate (Land and Building), Plant andcompanies, certificates of deposits (CDS), treasury
Machinery, Natural Resources (oil and gas reserves),certificates and other similar marketable securities,
Marketable securities (Stocks and bonds, Certificate otwhich can be readily converted to cash, may be used
Deposits, etc), Crops and Livestock, Inventory,as collateral for short term loans. The amount of loan
Accounts Receivable, etc.extended would depend on the value of such
1. Real Estatemarketable securities with some margin or discount to
Land and Building represent one of the commonestcushion any adverse fluctuations on the market value
types of collateral in use especially for term loans andof such securities. For the lender to adequately protect
revolvers. These can be houses, office building,itself the borrower should duly execute all the
shopping centers, warehouses or factory buildings.necessary transfer forms though undated and, his
Real Estate will be ideal as collateral for medium tosignature under seal duly verified by the relevant
long-term loans.registrars for share certificates used as collateral.
2. Plant and EquipmentThese should be completed before the loan is
This refers to manufacturing plant and machinery,disbursed to the borrower. The essence is that if the
trucks, generating set, drilling rigs, presses, forklifts andloan goes bad for whatever reason, the lender will be
similar items. These are usually appropriate collateralin a good position to realize on such securities without
for term loans, revolvers, working capital loans,recourse to the borrower.
syndications. It would be advisable to obtain a5. Inventory
professional valuation of the plant and machinery forInventory can be used as collateral in five common
use as collateral to enable the lender ascertain theways as asset-based financing: Floating Lien, Trust
appropriate amount of loan to sanction.Receipts (floor planning), Chattel Mortgage, Terminal
3. Natural ReservesWarehouse and Field Warehouse Receipts,Bad Credit
Oil and Gas reserves as estimated by qualifiedPersonal Loan Source.