Automatic and Temporary Perfection of a Security Interest

To review, there are 5 ways to perfect a security interest as per the rules in Article 9 of the UCC.  The previous 2 posts have discussed 3 of those ways (filing, possession, and control), and this post will discuss the remaining 2, automatic perfection, and temporary perfection.

Automatic Perfection:  The rules you'll need to know about automatic perfection are very limited.  Only a purchase money security interest ("PMSI") in consumer goods is automatically perfected.  A seller of goods has a PMSI when the security interest is retained to secure at least part of the purchase price of the goods.  So, if a seller of consumer goods lends money to the buyer and retains a security interest to secure that loan (i.e., ensure repayment) then that security interest will be automatically perfected with no further action required to perfect it.  It's important to note that not all PMSI's are eligible for automatic perfection.  If the PMSI is in inventory or equipment, for example, then you should not apply the rule regarding automatic perfection; it should only be applied to consumer goods.  In addition, there is an exception for motor vehicles to keep in mind:  a security interest in motor vehicles can be perfected only by notation on the vehicle's certificate of title.

Temporary Perfection:  The first place to begin when discussing temporary perfection of a security interest is with proceeds.  A security interest in proceeds from original collateral is continuously perfected for 20 days from the debtor's receipt of the proceeds.  This is automatic perfection but the security interest will become unperfected after 20 days unless the statutory requirements are followed.  The security interest, however, will continue beyond the 20 days if:

(1): The security interest in the original collateral was perfected by filing a financing statement, a security interest in the type of collateral constituting the proceeds would be filed in the same place as the financing statement for the original collateral, and the proceeds were not purchased with cash proceeds of the collateral.

or

(2): The proceeds are identifiable cash proceeds.

or

(3): The security interest in the proceeds is perfected within the 20-day temporary perfection period.

In addition to proceeds, there are a few other types of security interests eligible for 20-day temporary automatic perfection.  The first deals with instruments, negotiable documents, and certificated securities.  Where new value is given under an authenticated security agreement for instruments, negotiable documents, or certificated securities, perfection is valid for 20 days after attachment; nothing further is required to perfect temporarily.

In addition, where a creditor has perfected a security interest by possession and delivers to the debtor instruments, negotiable documents, certificated securities, or goods in the possession of a bailee, perfection will continue for 20 days after which the creditor must re-perfect (since the creditor no longer has possession).

An example here might be helpful:  Assume that the creditor possesses a promissory note as collateral for a loan given by the creditor to the debtor.  The note has been perfected by possession but at some point the creditor must give the note to the debtor so that the debtor can present it for payment.  Perfection of the security interest will not be lost on that note the moment that the creditor stops possessing it, but the creditor will need to perfect (for example file or re-possess) the note within those 20 days or else lose perfection.