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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 9Ch. 2§ 9203 Security Interest Attachment Conditions

§ 9203 Security Interest Attachment Conditions

Commercial Code·California
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§ 9203 Security Interest Attachment Conditions

Key Takeaways

  • •A lender can claim your stuff (like a car or house) as payment if you don't pay back a loan, but only if you both agree to it in writing.
  • •The lender must give you something (like money) first, and you must actually own the stuff you're using as payment.
  • •If you take over someone else's loan (like buying a business), you might also take over their agreement to use their stuff as payment.
  • •If the lender has the right to your stuff, they also have the right to any money or other things that come from it (like selling a car you used as payment).

Example

You take out a loan to buy a car. The bank gives you money, and you sign a paper saying the car is theirs if you don't pay back the loan.

The bank can take your car if you stop paying because you both agreed to it, they gave you money, and you own the car.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 9203 Security Interest Attachment Conditions

(a) A security interest attaches to collateral when it becomes enforceable against the debtor with respect to the collateral, unless an agreement expressly postpones the time of attachment. (b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (c) to (i), inclusive, a security interest is enforceable against the debtor and third parties with respect to the collateral only if each of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) Value has been given. (2) The debtor has rights in the collateral or the power to transfer rights in the collateral to a secured party. (3) One of the following conditions is met: (A) The debtor has signed a security agreement that provides a description of the collateral and, if the security interest covers timber to be cut, a description of the land concerned. (B) The collateral is not a certificated security and is in the possession of the secured party under Section 9313 pursuant to the debtor’s security agreement. (C) The collateral is a certificated security in registered form and the security certificate has been delivered to the secured party under Section 8301 pursuant to the debtor’s security agreement. (D) The collateral is controllable accounts, controllable electronic records, controllable payment intangibles, deposit accounts, electronic documents, electronic money, investment property, or letter-of-credit rights and the secured party has control under Section 7106, 9104, 9105.1, 9106, 9107, or 9107.1 pursuant to the debtor’s security agreement. (E) The collateral is chattel paper and the secured party has possession and control under Section 9314.1 pursuant to the debtor’s security agreement. (c) Subdivision (b) is subject to Section 4210 on the security interest of a collecting bank, Section 5118 on the security interest of a letter-of-credit issuer or nominated person, Section 9110 on a security interest arising under Division 2 (commencing with Section 2101) or Division 10 (commencing with Section 10101), and Section 9206 on security interests in investment property. (d) A person becomes bound as debtor by a security agreement entered into by another person if, by operation of law other than this division or by contract, either of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) The security agreement becomes effective to create a security interest in the person’s property. (2) The person becomes generally obligated for the obligations of the other person, including the obligation secured under the security agreement, and acquires or succeeds to all or substantially all of the assets of the other person. (e) If a new debtor becomes bound as debtor by a security agreement entered into by another person, both of the following apply: (1) The agreement satisfies paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) with respect to existing or after-acquired property of the new debtor to the extent the property is described in the agreement. (2) Another agreement is not necessary to make a security interest in the property enforceable. (f) The attachment of a security interest in collateral gives the secured party the rights to proceeds provided by Section 9315 and is also attachment of a security interest in a supporting obligation for the collateral. (g) The attachment of a security interest in a right to payment or performance secured by a security interest or other lien on personal or real property is also attachment of a security interest in the security interest, mortgage, or other lien. (h) The attachment of a security interest in a securities account is also attachment of a security interest in the security entitlements carried in the securities account. (i) The attachment of a security interest in a commodity account is also attachment of a security interest in the commodity contracts carried in the commodity account. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 210, Sec. 30. (SB 95) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

security interestcollateralenforceablesecurity agreementsecured party

Related Statutes

  • § 9205 Debtor Control Of Collateral
  • § 9207 Secured Party Collateral Care
  • § 9601 Secured Party Post-Default Rights
  • § 2210 Contract Performance Delegation Rules
  • § 4210 Bank Security Interest Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 9203.
View Official Source