Glossary · Doing the deal
Lien Search(UCC search)
In short
A process to discover any existing legal claims (liens) against a business's assets or your personal assets. It ensures the collateral offered for the loan is clear of prior claims.
What it means in a deal
Your lender will conduct a UCC lien search on the business's assets and a title search on any real estate you're pledging. This confirms that the lender can take a first lien position, meaning they're first in line to get paid if assets are liquidated.
Official sources
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Related terms
Common questions about Lien Search
- When is a lender required to conduct an environmental records search for real estate collateral?
- When must a lender take a lien on specific equipment for collateral, beyond a blanket lien?
- Is a separate lien required on each piece of equipment if a blanket lien is already in place?
- Does the SBA take a lien on my personal home as collateral?
- Is a blanket lien on all business assets a standard SBA requirement?
- What is the SBA's general requirement for lien position on business collateral?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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