Nebraska Bankers Association
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  • About
    • Membership
    • News
    • Boards and Committees
    • Alice Dittman Trailblazer Award
    • NBA Foundation
    • Leadership Program
    • Staff Directory >
      • Contact Us
  • Workforce
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  • Advocacy
    • Legislative Update
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    • Comment Letters
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    • Handbook
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    • Compliance Alliance
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    • In-person Events/Training
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    • Young Bankers (YBON)
  • Insurance
    • Agency Services >
      • Commercial Insurance
      • Personal Insurance
      • Livestock, Irrigation and Farm Insurance
      • Surety Bonds
    • Bank Property & Liability
    • Financial Institution Insurance
    • Benefit Plans
  • Bank Resources
    • Preferred Vendors
    • Associate Members
    • Marketing Resources
    • Financial Literacy
    • Single Bank Pooled ​Collateral Program
    • Bank Security
    • Compensation & Benefits Survey

TITLED VEHICLE AND MOTORBOAT LOAN PROCEDURES

I.         INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR SECURITY AGREEMENT

The security agreement used should describe the loan transaction in detail.  It should also provide an area to describe the titled vehicle(s) in detail so that a lien may be recorded on the title.  Information recorded here is:

A.    The year of the unit;

B.    The name of the unit;

C.    The model of the unit;

D.    The identification number of the unit;

E.    The note should bear the same date as the security agreement and should refer to the transaction.

II.        SECURITY AGREEMENT/PERFECTION

All parties whose names appear on the title must sign the security agreement in order to assure a proper lien being recorded with the County Clerk’s office and on the certificate of title.  Regulation B will not allow the banker to require a spouse’s signature on the note unless the spouse’s separate property is relied upon in making the loan.  An exception to this would be in the case of a joint application for credit.  The certificate of title should be held with the loan file until the loan is paid.  

A lien is perfected when it is filed with the County Clerk’s office and recorded on the title.  This will assure the bank’s security interest in the unit.  Recordation on the title in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Electronic Lien and Title System is the only admissible evidence in Nebraska as to the true status of such a lien.

III.       NEBRASKA ELECTRONIC LIEN AND TITLE SYSTEM

A.       Introduction

In 2009, the Nebraska legislature adopted LB 202.  Pursuant to the legislation, the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) was directed to implement an electronic title and lien system by January 1, 2011.

The DMV has issued the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide (Lender Guide) which can be accessed at www.dmv.state.ne.us/.  The Guide provides lenders with the necessary information to participate in the Nebraska’s Electronic Lien and Title System (ELT).  The ELT program is the responsibility of the DMV.  The goal of ELT is to provide for the electronic transmission of lien transaction data between lenders and the DMV.  The electronic transmission of data will be a benefit to the participating lenders, the vehicle/motorboat owners, the local county treasurer offices and the DMV.

B.        ELT Program

Lender participation in the ELT program is, at present, optional.  However, upon implementation, Nebraska certificates of title that contain lien information will be stored electronically.  No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender unless specifically requested.

Certificate of title and lien applications will continue to be filed at title issuing offices [local county treasurer office or the DMV, Division of Motor Carrier Services (MCS) for any common, contract or private carrier of property by motor vehicles in interstate commerce].  Upon the notation of a lien, the certificate of title record will be stored electronically on the DMV Vehicle Title and Registration (VTR) database, and a participating lender will be electronically notified of the title issuance/lien notation.

At the time of lien satisfaction, a participating lender will electronically notify the DMV of the lien release, and the DMV will print and mail the certificate of title to the owner (or other entity as directed by the lender).  

Participating lenders will exchange data files with the DMV on a daily basis.  These files will contain lien notation, lien release, error/correction information and requests for paper titles.

C.        Transition Into ELT

1.        Existing Paper Titles – Noting of a Lien

Each paper certificate of title presented for the notation of a lien will be retained by the title issuing office and upon lien notation the certificate of title will become electronic.

2.        Existing Paper Titles – Release of a Lien

The lien will be required to be released on the face of the certificate of title, presented to a title issuing office for release on VTR, and then the certificate of title will be returned to the owner (or other entity as directed).

D.        Non-Participating Lender Process

1.    Certificate of Title Issuance with a Lien Notation

Applications are submitted to the county treasurer office in the county where the vehicle has situs (tax district where the vehicle is stored and kept for the greater portion of the calendar year).  The exceptions to this rule are the applications submitted by any common, contract or private carrier of property by motor vehicles in interstate commerce whose vehicles are registered with MCS (applications are filed with MCS) and motorboat applications that are filed with any county treasurer office.

Upon issuance of the certificate of title with the lien noted, the certificate of title is stored electronically on VTR.  No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender.

Title issuance and lien notation can be verified through a check of the DMV records through the Title Inquiry function available at: www.clickdmv.ne.gov.  

2.    Lien Release

A Non-Participating Lender Lien Release application, completed by the lender, must be submitted to a title issuing office.  Upon acceptance of the Application, the lien will be released on VTR and the DMV will print and mail the certificate of title to the owner (or other entity as directed on the application).

3.    Request for Printed Certificate of Title

An electronic certificate of title may be printed, at the request of a lender, if the owner is relocating to another state or for other purposes as approved by the DMV.  A Non-Participating Lender Request for Paper Title, completed by the lender, must be submitted to the DMV.  Upon acceptance of the application the DMV will print and mail the certificate of title as directed by the lender.

E.        How To Become a Participating Lender

1.    What is a Participating Lender?

A participating lender is one who has registered with the DMV as a participating lender, has been assigned a Participating Lender ID by the DMV and has established a service relationship with a DMV approved provider.

 

2.    What is a Provider?

A provider is an entity that has entered into a written agreement with the DMV to provide electronic lien and title services for participating lenders.

3.    Becoming a Participating Lender

Complete the Nebraska Electronic Lien and Title Participating Lender Application and submit to the DMV.  Requests for additional information or assignment of the Participating Lender ID (PLID) will be returned within 5 business days. A participating lender may also become a provider or must engage an existing provider for the interface with DMV.

F.        ELT Providers

Unless a participating lender also becomes a provider, the lender must engage an existing provider for the interface with the DMV.  Dealertrack Technologies is among the entities that have been approved by the DMV as providers.

The Nebraska Bankers Insurance & Services Company has named Dealertrack Technologies as its endorsed services provider to ensure NBA members are thoroughly educated about the electronic lien and title (ELT) process and are prepared for the transition.  Dealertrack Technologies offers automotive collateral management and ELT services for automotive finance lenders.

Dealertrack Technologies is offering special discounted pricing to all NBA members.  For more information please contact Robert Christini at Dealertrack Technologies at 877-488-0517 or robert.christini@dealertrack.com.

G.       Contact Information

Department of Motor Vehicles Business Contacts

Cindy Incontro, Administrative Assistant

Driver and Vehicle Records Division

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 94789

Lincoln, NE 68509-4789

Phone: 402-471-3904

Fax: 402-471-8694

Sandy Wood, Administrative Assistant

Driver and Vehicle Records Division

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 94789

Lincoln, NE 68509-4789

Phone: 402-471-3867

Fax: 402-471-8694

Office of the CIO FTP Administrator

Martin Ciecior, Senior Developer

Office of the CIO

P.O. Box 95045

Lincoln, NE 68509-5045

Phone: 402-471-0635

Fax: 402-471-4864

The Lender Guide contains information regarding transaction description and type files that must be utilized in connection with the ELT program.  File transfer schedules and the process for converting an existing paper title to an electronic title and data transfers are also addressed in the Lender Guide.  An extensive Q and A that has been prepared by the DMV in response to question raised by lenders and vendors, and the Nebraska Electronic Lien and Title Participating Lender Application can both be found at https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dvr/electronic-lien-and-title. 

IV.       MOBILE HOMES

A.        Security Interest/Certificates of Title

Historically, lenders have perfected a security interest in a mobile home in a number of ways.  First, a lien may be perfected under the motor vehicle recordation laws by noting the existence of the lien on the face of the mobile home certificate of title.  (NOTE:  If a mobile home constitutes business inventory, a financing statement must be filed with the Secretary of State).  Also, if the mobile home is affixed to real estate, the security interest must be perfected pursuant to the recording of a “fixture” filing in the office where real estate mortgages are recorded in the county in which the real estate is located.

Another provision of the law relating to mobile homes (Section 60-147(2)) requires all applications for a certificate of title to a mobile home to be accompanied by a mobile home transfer statement which must be filed by the applicant with the county clerk of the county of application for title.  The county clerk is authorized to issue, but not deliver, the mobile home certificate of title, unless the application for title is accompanied by the required transfer statement.  However, failure by the applicant to provide the mobile home transfer statement does not prevent the notation of a lien on the certificate of title and delivery of the title to the holder of the first lien.

B.        Manufactured Home/Mobile Home Certificates of Title

1.    Introduction

Historically, manufactured homes/mobile homes have been treated as motor vehicles under Nebraska law.  At the time they are sold or transferred by the manufacturer to a retailer, ownership is evidenced by a manufacturer’s certificate of origin.  When the manufactured home/mobile home is subsequently sold by the retailer, the customer or retailer acting on behalf of the customer makes application to the Department of Motor Vehicles or designated county official for a certificate of title.  A certificate of title is issued based upon the manufacturer’s certificate of origin and when the manufactured home/mobile home is subsequently sold, the certificate of title is assigned to the new owner.  Most manufactured/mobile homes are sold and financed as personal property, similar to motor vehicles.  Any lien or security interest in the home is generally evidenced by a notation on the certificate of title, with perfection by filing a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement only required in connection with the financing of dealer inventory.  

More and more frequently, manufactured homes/mobile homes are being placed on permanent foundations in residential subdivisions or on individual tracts of land.  Given the difficulties inherent in identifying the difference between a one-to-four residential dwelling (which is sold and financed as real estate) and a manufactured home/mobile home (which is treated as personal property and subject to the notation of lien on certificate of title requirements), problems have arisen involving both the transfer of title to manufactured homes/mobile homes and the perfection of liens thereon.  

The need for revisions in this area of law were highlighted by the Nebraska Supreme Court ruling in the case of Greentree Financial Servicing Corporation vs. Sutton, 264 Neb. 533 (2002).  In the Greentree case, the Supreme Court determined that a valid lien on a manufactured home required notation of the lien on the certificate of title and that the lender was not obligated to make a “fixture filing” in order to perfect its security interest, as a result of the manufactured home being treated as a motor vehicle, rather than as property affixed to real estate.  

 

2.    Cancellation of Manufactured Home/Mobile Home Certificate of Title

The provisions of Neb.Rev.Stat. § 60-169 establish a statutory procedure for the cancellation of a certificate of title for a manufactured home/mobile home that has been affixed to real estate (wheels, towing hitches and running gear are removed and it is permanently attached to a foundation or other support system).  The procedure includes a requirement to file an “affidavit of affixture” against the real estate to which the manufactured home/mobile home is affixed.  Under this procedure, the certificate of title to a manufactured home/mobile home may be surrendered for cancellation to the County Clerk or designated county official of the county where such certificate of title is issued or, if issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, to the Department, if the surrender of certificate of title is accompanied by an “affidavit of affixture.”

3.    Affidavit of Affixture

The “affidavit of affixture” required to be submitted in connection with the surrender of a manufactured home/mobile home certificate of title for cancellation, must contain all of the following, as applicable:  (a) The names and addresses of all of the owners of record of the mobile home or manufactured home; (b) A description of the mobile home or manufactured home that includes the name of the manufacturer, the year of manufacture, the model, and the manufacturer’s serial number; (c) The legal description of the real property upon which the mobile home or manufactured home is affixed and the names of all of the owners of record of the real property; (d) A statement that the mobile home or manufactured home is affixed to the real property; (e) The written consent of each holder of a lien duly noted on the certificate of title to the release of such lien and the cancellation of the certificate of title; (f) A copy of the certificate of title surrendered for cancellation; and (g) The name and address of an owner, a financial institution, or another entity to which notice of cancellation of the certificate of title may be delivered.

The individual submitting an “affidavit of affixture” must swear or affirm that all statements in the affidavit are true and material and further acknowledge that any false statement in the affidavit may subject the person to penalties relating to perjury.  A sample “affidavit of affixture” that should be utilized in surrendering a manufactured home/mobile home certificate of title for cancellation, can be found at the link below.  Note that the affidavit of affixture must be accompanied by written consent for release of lien by each lienholder.  

Upon submission of the certificate of title to a manufactured home/mobile home for surrender, along with the “affidavit of affixture,” the county clerk or the designated county official must enter a cancellation of the certificate of title of record, notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of such cancellation, forward a duplicate of the “affidavit of affixture” to the Department, and deliver a duplicate original of the executed “affidavit of affixture” to the register of deeds for the county in which the real property to which the manufactured home/mobile home is affixed, is located, for filing with the Register of Deeds.  Any manufactured home/mobile home for which the certificate of title has been canceled and for which an “affidavit of affixture” has been duly recorded is to be treated as part of the real estate upon which the manufactured home/mobile home is located.  Any lien on such a manufactured home/mobile home must be perfected and enforced in the same manner as a lien on real estate (i.e., by recording a deed of trust or mortgage), and ownership of such a manufactured home/mobile home may only be conveyed as part of the real estate to which it is affixed.  

4.    Reconversion of Manufactured Home/Mobile Home Certificate of Title

Neb.Rev.Stat. § 60-169 also provides a procedure for “reconversion” of a manufactured home/mobile home to “certificate of title” status, following the surrender and cancellation of the certificate of title.  If the owner of a manufactured home/mobile home and the real estate to which it is affixed intends to detach the manufactured home/mobile home from the real estate, the owner must, prior to detaching the manufactured home/mobile home, (a) record an “affidavit of detachment” in the office of the register of deeds in the county in which the “affidavit of affixture” is recorded, and (b) apply for a certificate of title for the manufactured home/mobile home.

5.    Affidavit of Detachment

The “affidavit of detachment” must contain all of the following:

(a) The names and addresses of all of the owners of record of the mobile home or manufactured home; (b) A description of the mobile home or manufactured home that includes the name of the manufacturer, the year of manufacture, the model, and the manufacturer’s serial number; (c) The legal description of the real estate from which the mobile home or manufactured home is to be detached and the names of all of the owners of record of the real estate; (d) A statement that the mobile home or manufactured home is to be detached from the real property; (e) A statement that the certificate of title of the mobile home or manufactured home has previously been canceled; (f) The name of each holder of a lien of record against the real estate from which the mobile home or manufactured homes to be detached, with the written consent of each holder to the detachment; and (g) The name and address of an owner, a financial institution, or another entity to which the certificate of title may be delivered.

The individual submitting an “affidavit of detachment” must swear or affirm that all statements in the affidavit are true and material and further acknowledge that any false statement in the affidavit may subject the person to penalties relating to perjury.  An “affidavit of detachment” that should be utilized in reconverting a manufactured home/mobile home to “certificate of title” status.  Note that the affidavit of detachment must be accompanied by written consent for release of lien by each lienholder.  Once an “affixed” manufactured home/mobile home has been detached from the real estate and “reconverted” to certificate of title status, it is no longer considered to be part of the real estate and any liens thereon must be perfected pursuant to Neb.Rev.Stat. § 60-164, by noting the lien on the face of the certificate of title.  Ownership of such a manufactured home/mobile home may only be conveyed by way of certificate of title.

You can find the following forms at the link below or by going to www.dmv.nebraska.gov and searching for them.

Affidavit of Affixture for a Mobile Home with a Nebraska Certificate of Title (https://dmv.nebraska.gov/sites/dmv.nebraska.gov/files/doc/dvr/forms/affixaff.pdf).

Affidavit of Detachment for a Mobile Home (https://dmv.nebraska.gov/sites/dmv.nebraska.gov/files/doc/dvr/forms/detachaff.pdf) 

V.        MOTORBOATS

In 1994, the Nebraska Legislature enacted LB 123, which requires all vessels meeting the definition of a motorboat to have a certificate of title.  This change in the law modified the manner in which a security interest in a motorboat must be perfected.  Under Section 37-1204, a motorboat is defined as “any watercraft propelled in any respect by machinery, including watercraft temporarily equipped with detachable motors, but does not include a vessel which has a valid marine document issued by the Bureau of Customs of the United States Government or any federal agency successor thereto.”  Previously, lenders obtained a perfected security interest in a motorboat by completing a UCC-1 financing statement and filing it with the county clerk in the county in which the debtor resides, or if the debtor is not a resident of Nebraska, in the county in which the motorboat is kept. (NOTE:  If the motorboat constitutes business inventory, afinancing statement must be filed with the Secretary of State.)

A.       Rules for Perfection

Any motorboat purchased or sold in this State must be issued a certificate of title.  As a result, perfection of a security interest in a motorboat, requires the notation of lien on the motorboat certificate of title.  The notation of lien may be made by either the County Clerk or the Department of Motor Vehicles.  Please note that the statutory provisions for noting a lien on a motorboat certificate of title are virtually identical to the provisions relating to motor vehicle liens under Chapter 60 of the Nebraska Statutes.

NOTE:

1.   Liens taken against motorboats which are inventory held for sale by a person or corporation that is in the business of selling motorboats will continue to be perfected by complying with the UCC filing requirements.

2.   The new certificate of title requirement only applies to the motorboat itself.  Thus, lenders wishing to take a security interest in unattached personal property, such as an outboard motor, will need to comply with the UCC filing requirements, with the filing location determined by the character of such unattached personal property as consumer goods (local filing) or business equipment or inventory (Secretary of State).

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