In this episode, I discuss a common and costly pitfall in lending— assuming the borrower owns the asset they offer as security. Whether it is real estate or personal property, ownership can be more complicated than it looks.

I explain what happens when the borrower is not the registered owner on title, why beneficial ownership matters, and why getting a Beneficial Owner Acknowledgment is key to avoid void transactions. I also talk about the challenges with personal property where public registries often don’t exist, and why asking for proof of ownership is essential before accepting an asset as security.

If you work in lending or advising on security packages, this episode offers practical advice to help you avoid this trap and secure your deals properly.