Is a promissory note a debt security?

Asked by: Jesse Weber  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (24 votes)

Typically, promissory notes are securities. They must be registered with the SEC, a state securities regulator, or be exempt from registration. Most legitimate promissory notes can easily be verified by checking the SEC's EDGAR database or calling your state securities regulator .

What type of security is a promissory note?

Again, if a California promissory note has any kind of profit participation, an equity “kicker” or the right to be converted into equity, it's definitely a security. In addition, under California law, a promissory note secured by fractionalized interests is a security.

Are notes a debt security?

Debt securities include the following instruments: bills, bonds, notes, negotiable certificates of deposit, commercial paper, debentures, asset-backed securities, money market instruments and similar instruments normally traded in financial markets.

Is a promissory note a secured debt?

The note can include specific details such as the borrower and lender's identities, the loan amount, interest rate, repayment terms, maturity date, and collateral (if any). There are two main categories of promissory notes: secured (with collateral) and unsecured (without collateral).

Can a promissory note act as a security agreement?

Where a promissory note qualifies as a "security," federal jurisdiction is available to enforce the fraud provisions and possibly the registration requirements of the securities acts. Otherwise, an injured party is restricted to those remedies offered under state law.

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How legally binding is a promissory note?

Promissory notes are legally binding whether the note is secured by collateral or based only on the promise of repayment. If you lend money to someone who defaults on a promissory note and does not repay, you can legally possess any property that individual promised as collateral.

Is a promise to pay a security?

Borrower's promise to pay is secured by a mortgage, deed of trust or similar security instrument that is dated the same date as this Note and called the “Security Instrument.” The Security Instrument protects the Lender from losses, which might result if Borrower defaults under this Note.

Does a promissory note make the borrower personally liable for the debt?

Signing a promissory note means you're liable for repaying the loan. It contains the terms for repayment.

Are promissory notes exempt securities?

DO THE NOTES NEED TO BE REGISTERED? Most promissory notes must be registered as securities with the SEC and the states in which they're being sold. But remember that some promissory notes, such as those that have nine-month or shorter terms, may be “exempt.” That means that they don't have to be registered.

What happens if the maker of a promissory note fails to pay?

If the maker fails to pay according to the terms of the promissory note, the holder can foreclose on the property that secured the note, thereby recovering the unpaid principal of the note, interest, fees and expenses. An unsecured promissory note is one that is not secured by any collateral.

What is considered a debt security?

A debt security is a debt instrument that can be bought or sold between two parties and has basic terms defined, such as the notional amount (the amount borrowed), interest rate, and maturity and renewal date.

Is a treasury note a debt security?

A 10-year Treasury note is a debt obligation issued by the US government that matures in 10 years. It pays interest twice a year and face value at maturity. Modified duration is a formula that expresses the measurable change in the value of a security in response to a change in interest rates.

What is the difference between a bond and a promissory note?

Registered bonds generally do not have coupons attached to them; however, if they pay interest periodically they may be called coupon bonds. A promissory note is a written, unconditional promise, signed by a person, to pay a specified sum of money at a specified time or on demand to the person named on the note.

What is a promissory note considered?

Promissory notes are considered a type of commercial paper and are often regulated under contract law.

What are the problems with promissory notes?

Fraud and investor deception related to promissory notes is significant. Fraudulent promissory note programs often promise very high or guaranteed returns to investors, state that the notes are backed by collateral to guarantee them, or make other appealing but ultimately unfounded claims.

How do I get out of a promissory note?

To end an agreement made through a promissory note after the borrower has paid back the loan, you can use a release of promissory note form. It marks the deal as completed and helps tie up any loose ends.

Is a promissory note a form of security?

In the context of securitisation, a promissory note is a type of debt security that is used to represent the underlying assets in a securitisation. The promissory notes are typically issued by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that is created to hold the underlying assets.

Is an unsecured promissory note considered a security?

An unsecured promissory note carries no collateral, backed only by the promise of the borrower to repay. An example would be an IOU between parties, stipulating a certain interest rate and maturity. Once that arrangement is sold to a third party, the note may become a security.

What kind of asset is a promissory note?

For the creditor (the owner) of a promissory note, the promissory note is a liquid asset. Count promissory notes as an available asset unless evidence shows it is not available.

Is a promissory note considered debt?

Promissory notes are a form of debt that companies use to raise money. Investors loan money to a company. In return, investors are promised a fixed amount of periodic income.

Is a promissory note enforceable in court?

Yes, a properly executed promissory note is legally binding. As long as the note contains all necessary elements, is signed by the involved parties, and complies with applicable laws, it's enforceable in court if the borrower defaults or fails to meet their obligations.

How to securitize a promissory note?

Secured promissory notes

By assuring that the property attached to the note is of sufficient value to cover the amount of the loan, the payee thus has a guarantee of being repaid. The property that secures a note is called collateral, which can be either real estate or personal property.

What makes a promissory note a security?

The Court ruled that the promissory notes were securities under the UCC because they met the “transferability test” under Article 8; specifically they were represented by a certificate, the transfer of which may be registered upon books maintained for that purpose by the issuer.

What makes a promissory note unenforceable?

Unreasonable terms can invalidate a promissory note. The court determines what's unreasonable, so there's no hard and fast rule. You can avoid it by charging market rate interest and giving the borrower enough time to make a repayment.

Is a debt note a security?

Notes, which are debt securities that usually have a short-term maturity of between one and 10 years.