In this article, we’re sharing the unencumbered definition that is most commonly used in banking and finance. Not surprisingly, this will detail the relationship between unencumbered assets, liens, collateral, and other obligations.
We will also take a close look at the differences between unencumbered assets and encumbered assets, including how they can impact the available choices of the owner.
This article is part of our free series on banking and financing, including how to find an overseas mortgage to open remotely around the world.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- Unencumbered Definition
- Unencumbered vs Encumbered
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do You Want Help Opening Bank Accounts?
Unencumbered Definition
The unencumbered definition used most commonly in finance and banking is an asset that is free from liens, claims, restrictions, and risks, offering advantages to the owner because it is not being used as collateral elsewhere.
For example, a property that does not have a mortgage or other financing obligations is considered unencumbered because no third party can claim the house as collateral.
Likewise, a portfolio of stock that has not been used as collateral to buy additional stock on margin is also considered unencumbered because the owner owns the stock without any related obligations.
Unencumbered assets like these can be valuable in times of economic hardship because owners can liquidate them for needed capital. Likewise, they can be valuable when owners need capital to pursue new opportunities, providing an immediate avenue to unlocking value.
Unencumbered vs Encumbered
The main difference between unencumbered and encumbered is that unencumbered assets are those free from obligations like liens, restrictions, or other risks, while encumbered assets are tied to an obligation or have been used as collateral.
In other words, the definition of an unencumbered asset is one that the owner is free to hold, sell, trade, or conduct any other lawful transaction with their asset. This is because it is not collateral and does not have other obligations.
On the other hand, the owner of an encumbered asset is not permitted to sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of the asset in question. This is because it is not only an asset but also collateral. In other words, it is tied to an obligation, which means the owner is legally obliged to keep the asset as collateral in case they default on whatever commitment they have made.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few of the most common questions we receive from people looking into this topic. If you have further questions you would like to ask our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
What Are Unencumbered Assets?
The definition of unencumbered assets is those assets that an owner can freely sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of as they wish. In other words, they are assets that are not collateral. Likewise, the owner can freely choose to do what they want with them.
What Does Unencumbered Mean in a Budget?
In a budget, the definition of unencumbered typically means that the specific funds being referred to have not already been designated for a set purpose. In other words, there are no plans for the available money.
What Does It Mean to Be Unencumbered?
Being “unencumbered” can refer to having freedom and flexibility in how you choose to proceed with a specific situation. In banking and finance, this refers to decisions about transactions, financial decisions, disposal of an asset, or similar choices. Importantly, in order to be unencumbered, by definition, an asset needs to be free from commitment. A commitment may include liens, obligations, and collateral.
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