Collateral Valuation Methods: What is a borrower’s collateral worth?

Commercial borrowers may pledge equipment, real property, investments and other assets as loan collateral. But the amount shown on a borrower’s balance sheet may not reflect an item’s current market value. A formal collateral valuation appraisal can help lenders understand how much an asset is worth today.

Review collateral valuation appraisal basics

Whether you’re appraising a building, trademark, artwork or investments in a subsidiary, the approaches to valuing an asset are essentially the same. Appraisal boils down to three primary techniques:

Cost approach

To determine the value of an asset, examine the cost to replace or reproduce it. Under this approach, appraisers factor in functional and operational obsolescence. When valuing investments in private company stock using this approach, an appraiser would subtract liabilities from the combined fair market values of the company’s assets.

Market approach

An asset is worth as much as other assets with similar utility in the marketplace under this approach. With investments in private company stock, for example, an appraiser might look at recent transactions involving other companies in the same industry and compute pricing multiples from those comparables.

Income approach

Investors pay for the expected cash they’ll receive every year from an asset and when they sell (or salvage) that in the future. Often appraisers “discount” future earnings based on the asset’s risk, using a discounted cash flow analysis.

Appraisers always consider all three approaches, but one or two may be more relevant than the rest. For example, the cost and market approaches might be more relevant when valuing vacant land. Conversely, the market and income approaches might be more relevant when valuing a rental property with an established rent roll.

Define “value”

There are several definitions — or standards — of value. One of the most commonly quoted definitions of fair market value comes from IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60: “the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, when the former is not under any compulsion to buy and the latter is not under any compulsion to sell, both parties having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.”

Although this standard of value doesn’t apply in every situation, it highlights key assumptions. Namely, both parties — the buyer and seller — are knowledgeable and not compelled to deal. These assumptions may not be valid if, say, a buyer of a business interest hasn’t performed adequate due diligence — or if a distressed company needs cash to make payroll.

In the latter situation, liquidation value may be more relevant to its creditors. Orderly liquidation assumes that assets are sold over a reasonable time period and sometimes bundled together to maximize the net sales proceeds. Conversely, forced liquidation assumes that assets are quickly sold, typically in an auction. In these dire situations, it’s common for the company to receive 50 cents (or less) for every dollar on its balance sheet.

Know when to request appraisals

Here are a few situations that might warrant a collateral valuation:

Mergers and acquisitions

If a borrower plans to merge with or acquire another company, they often need bank financing. An appraisal can help demonstrate that the purchase price is reasonable.

Expansion plans

If a company plans to grow using internal resources, it may need a line of credit to fund its incremental working capital requirements or a long-term loan for new property or equipment. Appraisers can value all kinds of assets — including used equipment, vacant land and patents — that may eventually become loan collateral.

Reorganizations

A distressed borrower may attempt to turn its operations around by cutting costs and divesting unprofitable assets. An appraiser can help evaluate reorganization alternatives, including the long-term effects on future cash flow.

Bankruptcies

Appraisers can help lenders understand how much cash a borrower is likely to receive under various liquidation scenarios. They can also support decisions to reorganize or liquidate.

Additionally, some lenders recommend that borrowers obtain formal appraisals if their loans are denied, based on today’s stricter underwriting requirements. An appraisal may convince underwriters to make an exception to the bank’s strict rules. This may be true for growing companies with limited credit histories or established companies with appreciated assets on the balance sheet that are reported at their original cost from decades ago.

SBA appraisal requirements

For banks that participate in the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program, it may be a requirement for lenders to ask certain borrowers for independent business valuations.  The appraisal provisions apply specifically to SBA 7(a) program loans, not microloans, Certified Development Company/504 loans or other SBA programs.

The SBA requires an independent valuation from a qualified source when 7(a) proceeds will be used to finance a “change of ownership” only if the amount being financed from all sources (including non-SBA loans and seller financing) — less the appraised value of real estate and equipment — is more than $250,000. An independent appraisal also may be requested when there’s a “close relationship” between the buyer and seller.

Foster smarter lending decisions

When borrowers pledge assets as collateral, lenders can’t always rely on balance sheet values. Sometimes, a borrower and lender will call in a professional appraiser to help all parties understand an asset’s worth.

Have questions about collateral valuation methods? Call us at 404-874-6244 or contact us online and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.