UCC report API integration causing debtor name mismatches in our system

What kind of name variations are you seeing? Is it punctuation issues or more complex differences?

Mostly punctuation and LLC vs L.L.C. type issues, but also some cases where the API missed filings under DBA names that were listed as additional debtors.

Manual verification for every search isn't scalable though. There has to be a better way to handle this.

True, but the cost of missing a lien is way higher than the cost of manual checks on your larger deals.

That's what we're doing now but it's slowing down our process significantly.

How does that work exactly? Do you upload both the API report and the UCC forms?

Yeah, you just upload the PDFs and it automatically verifies that all the debtor names and details match up. It's way faster than manual comparison and catches stuff we would have missed.

That sounds really useful. Does it work with different API formats or just specific ones?

We're using [redacted] but considering switching. The search logic seems too rigid.

I've used three different UCC API services and they all have the same fundamental problem - they can't replicate human judgment about name variations.

Is there any movement toward standardizing UCC search protocols across states?

There's been talk about it for years but progress is slow. Each Secretary of State office has their own system and requirements.

The lack of standardization is exactly why we need better verification tools.

What's your threshold for manual verification? We're thinking about doing something similar.

We do manual checks on loans over $100K and anything where the debtor has multiple business entities. Below that, we rely on the API but flag anything suspicious.

That seems expensive but probably worth it for the peace of mind.

The cost is minimal compared to the potential liability of missing a senior lien.

We might try that approach. Do you find that certain APIs are better for specific types of searches?

Does it handle continuation filings and amendments too, or just original UCC-1s?

It works with all UCC document types - UCC-1, UCC-3 amendments, continuations, terminations. Really helpful for tracking lien histories.

Exactly. The UCC requires 'seriously misleading' analysis for name variations, which is impossible to automate properly.

That's why I always tell people to never rely 100% on automated UCC searches for anything important.

This thread has been really helpful. Sounds like we need a hybrid approach with better verification tools.

Good point about fixture filings. Those can be easy to overlook but they're critical for equipment financing.

We hadn't thought about fixture filings specifically. I'll need to verify our API covers those properly.

Also check if it's searching both central filing and local filing offices where required.