Based on an original post by Justin Hygate | Vice President of Registry Solutions, Foster Moore
As governments and financial institutions seek ways to strengthen credit access, support SME growth, and modernize infrastructure, one powerful yet often overlooked tool is the Secured Transactions Register. These registers sit at the intersection of legal, financial, and digital systems, and when designed well, they unlock billions in new lending opportunities.
A Secured Transactions Register, also known as a Collateral Registry, UCC Register, or Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), is essentially a public notice board. It is where lenders record their legal interest in personal property such as vehicles, equipment, crops, trademarks, and accounts receivable that are used as collateral for loans.
By publicly registering a claim on an asset, lenders protect their rights. Borrowers, meanwhile, retain and use their property. This system helps reduce the need for more restrictive forms of secured lending and increases trust between borrowers and lenders.
These registers create transparency in credit markets. They reduce lending risk, support credit access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and have been proven to drive economic growth. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), countries such as Ghana, Vietnam, Mexico, and Colombia saw billions of dollars in new SME lending after implementing modern collateral registries (World Bank, 2010. Secured Transactions Systems and Collateral Registries). The World Bank’s Doing Business report also highlights the positive link between effective secured transactions laws and increased access to credit.
In New Zealand, where our team implemented the Companies Office PPSR, we have seen how a well-designed system can simplify and secure lending, making the process faster and more transparent.
Depending on the jurisdiction, legal tradition, or institutional framework, Secured Transactions Registers go by many names. While the core function remains consistent, providing public notice of legal claims over movable property, terminology can vary significantly.
Drawing from international guidance from UNCITRAL, OECD, IFC, and the World Bank, as well as practical experience, the following five pillars are essential:
1. Legal and Institutional Framework
Broad functional scope that includes all types of movable property, both tangible and intangible
Unified system where the legal framework and registry are aligned, as seen in countries like New Zealand, Canada, and Romania
2. Registry Design and Operations
Centralised, online, real-time platform
Minimalist data requirements: debtor, creditor, and collateral details only, without uploading contracts
Publicly searchable database to support transparency
Flat fees and user-friendly design, with browser access and APIs for integration
Standardised renewal periods across collateral types
3. Priority and Enforcement
Time-stamped priority system that follows the “first-in, best-dressed” principle
Clear rules for Purchase Money Security Interests (PMSIs) to encourage targeted asset lending
Consistency with insolvency laws, leasing frameworks, and other related legal areas
4. Technology and Governance
Reliable uptime, strong security measures, and full data backup
Complete audit trails and compliance with privacy regulations
5. Public Awareness and Access
Affordable, flat-fee pricing models
Training and user support available
Ongoing engagement with lenders, credit providers, and legal professionals
A modern, unified, electronic, and notice-based system is also supported by UNCITRAL’s Model Law on Secured Transactions (2016), which provides guidance for jurisdictions developing or reforming secured lending frameworks.
Secured Transactions Registers may operate quietly in the background, but they are fundamental to inclusive, efficient, and resilient financial systems. Their contribution to financial inclusion and economic growth makes them one of the most impactful registry innovations.
To learn more about Foster Moore’s Secured Transactions Register solutions, visit:
https://www.fostermoore.com/verne/secured-transaction-register
Interested in modernizing your jurisdiction's registry infrastructure or improving access to credit? Connect with our team and discuss your challenges or needs using our contact page.
Content based on an original post by Justin Hygate
Vice President of Registry Solutions, Foster Moore