Risk Management Blog

This week, we continue our series on evaluating state UCC search options. Please refer to our previous blog posts for a discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of a certified UCC search. Now, we turn our attention to the benefits of a state direct database search. What is a State Direct Database Search? We are using the term “state direct database search” to describe a UCC search that is generated using an online search feature… >> READ MORE

In this, our final installment of the Tax Lien Searching blog series, we offer up some tips for making sense of your tax lien search results. What follows is a brief discussion of three important considerations when reviewing tax lien search results. Lien Amount Tax liens are filed for a specific dollar amount, representing the past-due tax balance and any interest or penalty charges assessed at the time of the lien’s preparation.… >> READ MORE

Welcome back for the second installment of our blog series on evaluating state UCC search options! Last week we defined a certified search and talked a bit about the benefits of state-certified UCC searches. This week, we’ll touch on the drawbacks of a certified search. Locating Tax Liens The first potential problem with a certified UCC search relates to locating tax liens. Many state filing offices administer tax lien records… >> READ MORE

Deciding what data sources to trust is the first step in securing high-quality dependable search results. Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at the various search options that are available for state level UCC searches and discussing the benefits and drawbacks of each. The goal is that for our readers to gain a good understanding of their options and be able determine with confidence what source(s) best satisfy their… >> READ MORE

There is a variety of options available for the web-savvy individual to perform their own UCC searches. Many state and county filing offices now provide a searchable index at low to no cost on their websites and private service companies purchase lien data in bulk to create and maintain their own online search systems. So, why would anyone hire a professional to search for UCCs these days? Herein, we offer three good reasons to hire a service… >> READ MORE

First Corporate Solutions is launching a 3-part blog series on tax lien searching! This week’s post discusses why you should be searching for tax liens. Here is a schedule for upcoming topics on tax lien searching: Friday 10/22: Ordering a Tax Lien Search Tips on how to order your tax lien search to achieve the best results. Friday 10/29: Reviewing Tax Lien Search Results Expert advice on how to review and interpret your… >> READ MORE

In previous blog posts we have discussed in great detail the importance of listing the correct debtor name on a UCC1 Financing Statement and offered some tips for making sure you’ve gotten the name right. We encourage you to explore our older blog posts for more on this topic. To summarize, in order to perfect a security interest, a UCC filing must list the exact legal name of the debtor. For a business name that means the name on their… >> READ MORE

In late July, the California Secretary of State’s office announced that the Business Programs Division was making a change to the way they certify documents. Instead of attaching a separate certification page, state workers began applying certification by way of a stamp on the back of the final page of a document. Many other state filing offices have recently made similar changes to their certification procedures. A certified copy used… >> READ MORE

In previous blog posts we have talked about the importance of a secured party listing the correct debtor name on their UCC1 Financing Statement. Remember, a UCC filing is only effective if it gets the debtor name right. A UCC filing that fails to properly identify the debtor by their exact legal name will not offer the secured party priority status to collect should the debtor default or file for bankruptcy. It is dangerous, however to apply… >> READ MORE

Learning the ins and outs of lien searching can be daunting. It seems like there is so much to know! Beginning-level searchers often ask First Corporate Solutions for advice on how to conduct better searches. Here are three quick tips to help you gain confidence and hone your skills. 1. Maximize Results to Minimize Risk A good strategy for lien searching is to maximize your results in order to minimize your risk. This means, cast a wide… >> READ MORE