Glossary · Doing the deal
UCC-1 filing(Uniform Commercial Code-1 filing)
In short
This is a public notice filed by a creditor to establish a legal claim (Lien) on a debtor's personal property used as Collateral. It signals who has priority if the debtor defaults.
What it means in a deal
Your SBA lender will file a UCC-1 to secure its interest in the business's assets, establishing a First lien. As a buyer, conduct a UCC search during Due diligence to ensure the seller has clear title to the assets and that no undisclosed liens exist that would interfere with your lender's priority.
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 UCC-1 filing
- Is a UCC-1 filing sufficient to perfect a lien on business assets?
- If a lender obtains a blanket lien, what are the key UCC filing requirements for interstate operations?
- What if the business assets are located in multiple states, requiring multiple UCC filings?
- How does a recent personal bankruptcy filing affect my eligibility for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- How does the SBA generally treat a 7(a) loan applicant with a prior bankruptcy filing?
- What are the specific requirements for a lender to obtain a valid first lien position on UCC collateral when prior liens exist?
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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