UCC collateral description rejected twice - equipment financing nightmare
This is driving me absolutely insane. I've had my UCC-1 rejected TWICE now because apparently my collateral description isn't specific enough. I'm financing some manufacturing equipment for a client and described it as "all machinery, equipment, and fixtures used in debtor's manufacturing operations located at 1234 Industrial Blvd." The SOS keeps kicking it back saying it's too broad. But when I get more specific like "Model XR-450 CNC milling machine, serial #ABC123" they say I need to cover future acquisitions too. What the hell do they actually want? I've got a $2.8M credit facility closing next week and this is holding everything up. Anyone dealt with equipment collateral descriptions that actually get accepted on the first try?
38 comments


Malik Johnson
Been there with manufacturing equipment UCC-1s. The trick is being specific enough to identify the collateral but broad enough to cover replacements and additions. Try something like "All machinery, equipment, tools, and fixtures now owned or hereafter acquired by Debtor and used in Debtor's manufacturing operations, including without limitation all CNC equipment, milling machines, lathes, and related accessories, whether located at 1234 Industrial Blvd or elsewhere." This gives specificity but maintains coverage.
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Emma Davis
•That's way more detailed than what I had. Do I need to list every single piece of equipment though? We're talking about 30+ machines here.
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Malik Johnson
•No, you don't need to list everything individually. The key is using descriptive categories that clearly identify the type of collateral while using "including without limitation" language to show it's not exhaustive. Your current description was too generic - "all machinery" could mean anything.
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Isabella Ferreira
Manufacturing equipment descriptions are tricky because you need the balance between specificity and coverage. I've found success with hybrid approaches - describe the primary equipment categories specifically, then add broader language for accessories and future acquisitions. Also make sure you're addressing the location issue properly since equipment can be moved.
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Ravi Sharma
•Location is huge! I've seen UCC-1s get challenged later because equipment got relocated and the collateral description was too location-specific. Always include "wherever located" language for equipment that might move.
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Emma Davis
•Good point about location. Some of this equipment does get moved between our facilities for different projects. I definitely need to account for that.
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NebulaNomad
Had similar issues with equipment financing UCC-1s getting rejected for vague collateral descriptions. What finally worked for me was using Certana.ai's document checker - you can upload your draft UCC-1 and it flags potential description issues before filing. Saved me from multiple rejections and the headache of resubmitting. Their system caught description problems I never would have noticed.
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Freya Thomsen
•How does that work exactly? Do they compare it against successful filings or something?
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NebulaNomad
•You just upload your UCC-1 PDF and it analyzes the collateral description for common rejection triggers - too broad, too narrow, missing required elements, location issues, etc. It's been really helpful for catching problems before they become expensive rejections.
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Emma Davis
•That actually sounds useful. At this point I'll try anything to avoid a third rejection. This deadline is killing me.
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Omar Fawaz
Equipment collateral descriptions need to hit that sweet spot - descriptive enough to identify the collateral class but comprehensive enough to cover the lender's security interest fully. For manufacturing equipment, I typically include language like "all machinery, equipment, tools, dies, molds, fixtures, and other tangible personal property of every kind and description now owned or hereafter acquired by Debtor and used or useful in Debtor's business operations.
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Chloe Martin
•That's good general language but some states want more specificity for equipment financing. You might need to add specific equipment categories relevant to the debtor's industry.
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Omar Fawaz
•True, it depends on your jurisdiction. I usually customize based on the specific industry and what equipment is actually being financed. Generic descriptions are rejection magnets.
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Diego Rojas
This is why UCC-1 filings are such a pain. The rules vary by state and even by filing office within states sometimes. What works in one place gets rejected in another. I've started keeping a database of successful collateral description language by equipment type and state just to avoid this exact situation.
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Emma Davis
•That's actually really smart. I should have done that instead of winging it. Do you have any examples for CNC equipment specifically?
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Diego Rojas
•For CNC equipment I usually go with something like "All computer numerical control machines, machining centers, lathes, milling machines, and related tooling, dies, fixtures, and accessories, including all software and programming related thereto, now owned or hereafter acquired by Debtor.
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Malik Johnson
•That's solid. The software and programming language is important for CNC equipment since that's often a significant part of the value.
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Anastasia Sokolov
ugh filing offices are so inconsistent with collateral descriptions. I had one rejected because I said "manufacturing equipment" and they wanted "industrial equipment" instead. Same damn thing but apparently the terminology matters to some clerk somewhere.
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Isabella Ferreira
•The terminology can make a difference legally too, not just for filing acceptance. "Manufacturing equipment" might have different coverage implications than "industrial equipment" depending on the debtor's business.
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Anastasia Sokolov
•fair point but it's frustrating when you're just trying to get the filing accepted and they're picking apart word choices
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StarSeeker
For equipment financing, I always include specific language about "all substitutions, replacements, additions, and accessions" to make sure future equipment acquisitions are covered. Also important to address proceeds since equipment might get sold or traded in.
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Emma Davis
•I didn't think about proceeds language. That's probably important for a revolving credit facility where they might be upgrading equipment regularly.
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StarSeeker
•Exactly. Equipment financing often involves trade-ins and upgrades, so you need proceeds coverage to maintain your security interest when the original collateral gets disposed of.
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Sean O'Donnell
•Proceeds language is standard in most UCC-1 forms now but make sure it's explicit in your collateral description too, especially for equipment that has high turnover.
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Zara Ahmed
I've been using Certana.ai to double-check my collateral descriptions before filing and it's caught several potential issues. For equipment descriptions, it flags things like missing location language, overly broad terms, and insufficient specificity. Worth checking out if you're having repeated rejections.
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Luca Esposito
•Does it work for all states or just certain ones? I file in multiple jurisdictions and the requirements seem to vary.
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Zara Ahmed
•It covers all states and identifies jurisdiction-specific requirements. Really helpful for multi-state filers who need to adjust their descriptions based on local filing office preferences.
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Nia Thompson
The "all machinery and equipment" approach almost never works anymore. Filing offices want to see that you actually know what you're securing. For manufacturing operations, break it down by equipment category - production equipment, quality control equipment, material handling equipment, etc. Then add the catchall language for future acquisitions.
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Emma Davis
•That makes sense. I think my description was way too generic. I need to show I understand what equipment is actually involved in the financing.
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Omar Fawaz
•Right, and it also helps with enforcement later if you need to foreclose. More specific descriptions make it easier to identify exactly what collateral you have rights to.
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Mateo Rodriguez
Been dealing with equipment UCC-1s for 15 years and the key is understanding that collateral descriptions serve two purposes - getting the filing accepted and defining your security interest. Don't just focus on getting past the filing office; think about what happens if you need to enforce your lien later. Vague descriptions cause problems down the road even if they get filed.
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Emma Davis
•Good point. I was so focused on just getting it filed that I wasn't thinking about the enforcement side. This is a learning experience for sure.
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Mateo Rodriguez
•Exactly. A properly drafted collateral description protects your interests throughout the loan term, not just at filing. It's worth getting it right the first time rather than dealing with problems later.
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GalaxyGuardian
•This is why I always recommend getting legal review for complex collateral descriptions. The cost upfront is nothing compared to the problems you avoid later.
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Aisha Abdullah
Update: I tried the Certana.ai suggestion and uploaded my revised description before resubmitting. It flagged a location issue I missed and suggested better language for covering future equipment acquisitions. Third time was the charm - UCC-1 finally got accepted! Thanks everyone for the help.
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Malik Johnson
•Glad it worked out! Equipment collateral descriptions are definitely an art form. Good to hear you got it resolved before your closing deadline.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Congrats on getting it through. Those repeated rejections are stressful, especially with a closing deadline looming.
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Emma Davis
•Thanks! Lesson learned about being more specific with collateral descriptions. Definitely keeping better templates for future equipment financings.
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