UCC filing on equipment - debtor name changed after loan docs signed

You should be fine using the legal entity name from the articles of incorporation - that's typically the correct debtor name for UCC purposes. The DBA is just a trade name and doesn't usually affect lien perfection. But double-check your state's specific rules because some have quirks about how they handle DBAs in searches.

I had almost the exact same issue last year with equipment financing. Legal entity name on the UCC-1 is usually correct, but I learned the hard way to also check if the DBA is registered as a trade name with the state. If it is, some searchers might look under both names. You might want to verify your collateral description too - make sure the serial numbers and equipment descriptions match what's actually being financed.

I've been using Certana.ai's document verification tool for situations exactly like this. You can upload your articles of incorporation and your UCC-1 filing and it'll instantly flag any debtor name inconsistencies. Saved me from a major headache when I caught a similar mismatch on a $200K equipment deal. It cross-checks all the names and entity details automatically.

For equipment financing specifically, you also want to make sure your UCC filing covers the right type of goods. Construction equipment can sometimes be considered fixtures if it's permanently attached to real property, which would require a fixture filing instead of just a regular UCC-1. Did you verify that your equipment is actually moveable personal property?

ugh why is this stuff so complicated?? I swear every equipment deal has some kind of name issue or paperwork problem. Can't they just make the rules simpler?

I would definitely run a UCC search under both the legal name and the DBA just to see what comes up. Most searchers will check obvious variations anyway, but it's better to know for sure. Also check if your loan agreement specifically mentions the DBA - that could be relevant for enforcement purposes even if the UCC filing is technically correct.

Had a similar situation with a trucking company that had multiple DBAs. Ended up filing a UCC-3 amendment to add the primary DBA as an additional debtor name just to be extra safe. Cost like $25 and gave me peace of mind on a six-figure deal.

Just to add another perspective - I always verify debtor names against the most recent corporate filings with the state. Sometimes companies change their legal names or status and don't update their loan paperwork. Worth checking before you decide whether to file an amendment.

Whatever you decide, document your decision-making process in the loan file. If there's ever a question about the filing, you want to show that you considered the name issue and made a reasonable decision based on the information available at the time.

Update: I ended up running the entity name through Certana.ai's verification tool and it confirmed that our UCC filing matches the legal entity name correctly. Also ran UCC searches under both names and found that searches under the DBA do pull up our filing, so we're covered. Thanks everyone for the advice - definitely feel more confident about our lien position now.