Making Security Interests Public: Registration Mechanisms in 35 Jurisdictions

Movable assets tangible or intangible often account for most of firm's capital stock. Thus it is important for jurisdictions to develop adequate laws on secured transactions to allow borrowers and lenders to recognize movable assets as collateral, supporting financing secured with such assets. Though the legal and regulatory framework is essential to any secured transactions system, the efficacy of a secured transactions law also requires an effective registration mechanism for interests in movable property. This report focuses on analysis of such institutions, highlighting the importance of a publicly accessible registry where information on interests in movable assets can be registered.