Before advancing loans and advances, a bank should make sure to get the loan back in time. Since many borrowers default in repaying loans, borrowers need to deposit assets or give a guarantee as a testimony of repayment assurance.
This asset or guarantee is called the security of credit. Security is something of value given to a lender by a borrower to support his or her intention to repay. In the case of a mortgage, the security is the property that the loan is being used to purchase.
Oxford Dictionary of Finance and Banking defines security as “an asset or assets to which a lender can have recourse if the borrower defaults on any loan repayments.” Hence security is what the borrower puts up to guarantee repayment of the loan, and it may include tangible, intangible assets, or even a personal guarantee.
Table of Contents
Types of Securities for Bank Credit
Personal Security
Personal security refers to the guarantee given by the borrower or by a third party in the lead of pledging a tangible asset.
Since advancing a loan against a personal guarantee is very risky, banks rarely grant a loan against such security unless the borrower has a special and long relationship with the bank.
Character, integrity, financial solvency, and social status are important factors that are looked into before sanctioning of loan against personal security.
Non-personal Security
Non-personal security refers to movable and immovable tangible properties against which loans are granted. This type of security may include land, building, commodities, etc.
Non-personal security is safer than personal security. If the borrower defaults, the tangible property can be sold in the market to realize the unpaid amount. Non-personal security can be charged in the Conn of lien, pledge, mortgage, hypothecation, or assignment.
Read More: Bank is an Agent, Trustee, Executor, Administrator for Customers
Collateral Security
When the lender feels the security provided by the borrower is insufficient, or it may be difficult to recover the dues smoothly, the lender may ask for additional security to be provided by the borrower himself or by others on behalf of the borrower.
In case of any default by the borrower, the collateral securities will come in hand to service and recover the loan.
Related: 7 Factors Need Consideration before Sanctioning Banks Loans
Features of Good Security/ Canons of a Good Banking Security/ Conditions for Acceptable Securities
While accepting securities, bankers need to consider certain factors. Otherwise, the odds of getting the loan repaid will be very little, and the security will not serve the intended purpose. These factors are considered to be the essentials of acceptable security. In what follows, we discuss these factors in detail.
Related: Methods of Loan Pricing followed by Commercial Banks
Types of Security for Bank Credit In the case of Non-personal Security
Acceptability
Asset accepted as security must be acceptable in the eyes of the law. Any asset considered illegal to own or possess will put the bank in difficulty when disposing of. Moreover, the bank may face legal consequences for the possession of illegal items.
Marketability
The security must have a ready market. The bank has not taken the asset to keep it in its possession for an indefinite period but rather to sell it in the market and realize the loan amount. Hence, no matter how valuable the asset, maybe it is of no use if it does not have a broad market.
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to how quickly an asset can be converted into cash or other assets with little or no diminution in value. Ideally, security should be liquid, enabling the banker to sell l he properly at a known price as soon as the default occurs.
Ownership
Before accepting security, the banker must ensure the ownership of the property. An asset that the lender does not own may render difficulty in getting the loan repaid. Moreover, if the title of the property is defective, the lender may face the problem.
Adequacy
The value of the security must be adequate to cover the full amount of the loan. Moreover, a reasonable margin over the (loan is to be maintained. The margin is the difference between the market value of the security offered and the loan granted.
Stability of Price
The price of the goods and commodities necessary for life are relatively stable over a short period, though not necessarily over a long period. But wide variations in the prices of luxury goods take place due to changes in demand, fashions, and tastes of the people.
Bankers are generally reluctant to accept the commodities, the prices of which are uncertain and fluctuate too widely and frequently.
Documentation
The banker should see that proper documents such as a mortgage deed or the pledge agreement containing all terms and conditions of the mortgage or pledge are executed. This should be done to avoid all future disputes.
Non-encumbrance
Property or asset that has already been charged against a prior loan from another lender should be avoided as security. Because in that case, the banker will have a secondary claim on that particular security.
Possession
Mere ownership of an asset without its possession may lead to unwanted circumstances for the banker. Unless the property is considered a security is in possession of the borrower (though he is the owner), that property should not be accepted as security. If goods are taken as security, the banker should take possession before advancing the loan.
Quality
If a commodity has been used as a security, it should be of good quality. A perishable commodity that may deteriorate in quality or quantity with the passage of time should not be accepted as security.
Free from disabilities
A banker should disqualify securities crippled with certain disabilities like partly paid-up shares, life insurance policy without surrender value, and so on. He should see before accepting that the security is free from such disabilities.
Meld generating security
An asset that generates earnings during the period in which the loan is outstanding is better security than those that are not and preferred by the bankers.’
Easy store ability and low maintenance cost
Security should not create a headache or be a burden for the banker. It must be easy to store with low maintenance costs.
Types of Security for Bank Credit In case of Personal Security
Financial Ability
The banker must inquire into the financial condition of the guarantor. If the guarantor does not have the financial solvency to repay the loan, the existence of a guarantee will be futile if the principal debtor defaults.
Honesty
The ability of the guarantor to repay the loan is of use only if the guarantor also has the willingness and integrity. So, in addition to the financial solvency of the surety, his honesty is of immense importance in case of personal guarantee.
Social status
The social status of the borrower and that of the guarantor must be ensured before granting a loan. A person who holds esteemed kudos in society is more likely to be conscious about fulfilling his promises.
