What is the primary purpose of UCC filings in lease financing?

• A. Record annual maintenance.
• B. Track payment history.
• C. Perfect the lender's security interest in the equipment.
• D. Verify insurance.

Answer: (C)

UCC filings in lease financing serve to perfect the lender's security interest in the equipment. By filing a UCC-1 financing statement with the appropriate state authority, the lender creates public notice of its lien on the collateral. This perfection gives the lender priority over other creditors if the lessee defaults or enters bankruptcy and enables the lender to repossess, sell, or enforce the lien on the equipment. Maintenance records, payment history, and insurance verification play important risk-management roles, but they do not establish or protect the lender's claim to the equipment; the UCC filing does that by creating the secured interest.