Risk Management Blog

We try to cover a wide range of topics on the First Corporate Solutions blog. Our approach is to identify the questions we hear customers and prospects pose most frequently and address those areas of confusion proactively on the blog. This week we respond by sharing some additional information and resource outlets regarding UCC & corporate due diligence. State and County Websites When you need to perform a search or submit a filing… >> READ MORE

Many small businesses have an internal department that handles all of their public records search and filing needs. As businesses grow and due diligence requirements get more complex, most decide to enlist the help of a private service company to carry out their public records checks and requests. Deciding which company to entrust with your business can be a tough choice. Between nationwide and local vendors, there are hundreds (if not… >> READ MORE

One of the most common areas of confusion relating to public records searching has to do with the costs incurred for search requests, particularly those requests that a customer places with a private service company. The fees associated with this type of research are varied and an invoice may use terminology that is unfamiliar to those with infrequent searching needs. Herein, we offer some guidelines for what types of fees you can expect… >> READ MORE

In our continued focus on the importance of public records research to a secured party’s security interest perfection process, today we list three of the main reasons. So why is public records research essential to an Asset-based lender’s due diligence processes? 1. To determine priority before filing A public records search uncovers pre-existing liens (like Federal and State tax liens, Judgment liens and UCCs) which can prevent… >> READ MORE

In last week's blog post we discussed the importance of searching tax lien records as part of your pre-funding due diligence search efforts. This week, we'll go over a few tips for ordering tax lien searches to achieve the best results. There are three important things to keep in mind when searching for tax liens. The first is the scope of the search. Most tax liens are effective for a period of ten years and can be renewed. So you will… >> READ MORE

During the question and answer period following a recent First Corporate Solutions webinar event, an attendee asked a great question. She asked, “How long should I wait after filing my UCC to order the search to reflect?” This week, we’ll devote a blog post to sharing the answer with all of our readers. As a refresher, a search to reflect is a search of the UCC records of the office where you filed, after your document has posted… >> READ MORE

We welcome our blog contributor PJ Garcia of Beach Escrow this week to discuss her view on cancellation instructions this week. Cancellation instructions are always a concerning and sometimes controversial area. In the November Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA) revision, California Association of Realtors (CAR) included some language that provides for unilateral cancellation of a sort which presents one of those controversies. Upon review… >> READ MORE

As a lender, you need to know immediately if your customer is experiencing financial distress that could result in bankruptcy or debtor default. In this FREE guide you will find: Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid on UCC Financing Statements What a Search to Reflect can do for you When to File Continuation Statements Lien Monitoring Programs Importance of Monitoring to Reveal Name Variations Download this free guide today! >> READ MORE

As asset-based lenders and factors, you are aware that different loan types provide different risks and rewards, and as lenders and risk takers you look to capitalize on this fact. Because of the nature of your lending practices, there are specific solutions that have been designed to monitor a perfected security interest and assist secured parties in maintaining their perfected security interest once a UCC financing statement has been filed. Many… >> READ MORE

A UCC Financing Statement must properly identify the debtor in order for the UCC to perfect a security interest and provide priority protection for the secured party. To satisfy this requirement, a secured party must complete their Financing Statement using the debtor’s legal name. In general, secured parties understand the importance of properly naming the debtor on their UCC Financing Statements and try hard to comply. Sometimes though,… >> READ MORE