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Promissory Note and Pledge Agreement

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Promissory Note with Payments Amortized for a Certain Number of Years

$

(Location of Execution)

(Date)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned does

(Name of Maker of Note)

hereby jointly and severally promise to pay to or

(Name of Payee)

order, the principal sum of $ together with interest thereon from date at the rate

of % per annum on the unpaid balance until paid. The said principal and interest shall

be payable at or at such other place as the holder

(Street Address, City, County, State, Zip Code)

hereof may designate in writing, in consecutive monthly installments of

(Number)

$ The first of said installments shall be due and payable on the first day of

and each subsequent monthly installment shall be due and payable on the

(Month and Year)

first day of each succeeding month thereafter until the entire indebtedness evidenced by this Note

is fully paid, except any remaining indebtedness, if not sooner paid, shall be due and payable on

(Date)

The undersigned may prepay the principal amount outstanding in whole or in part without penalty. The holder of this Note may require that any partial prepayments (i) be on the date monthly installments are due, and (ii) be in the amount of that part of one or more monthly installments which would be applicable to principal. Any partial prepayment shall be applied against the principal amount outstanding and shall not postpone the due date of any subsequent monthly installments or change the amount of such installments, unless the holder of this Note shall otherwise agree in writing.

The undersigned further promise to pay the holder of this Note a late charge of Four Percent (4%) of any monthly installment not received by the Noteholder within fifteen (15) days after the installment is due.

It is agreed that in the event default is made in the payment of this Note at maturity, or of any installment thereof, whether maturing by expiration of time, by default as herein provided, or as provided in the Deed of Trust given in security hereof, and the same is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection, then an additional amount of % on the principal and interest of this Note shall be added to the same as a collection fee, and the failure to pay any installment when due shall mature the entire indebtedness at the option of the holder of this Note.

The makers, signers, drawers, guarantors, sureties and endorsers hereof severally waive presentation for payment, demand, protest, diligence in collecting, notice of dishonor, notice of extension of time, and notice of protest or nonpayment.

WITNESS my signature this the day of , 20

(Signature of Maker)

(Printed Name of Maker)

Enter text

What a Promissory Note and Pledge Agreement Is

A Promissory Note and Pledge Agreement is a legally binding contract where a borrower promises to repay a loan and grants collateral rights to a lender until repayment. The promissory note sets principal, interest, payment schedule, maturity, and default remedies. The pledge agreement identifies the collateral, describes perfection steps, and grants the lender security interest or lien rights. Together these documents define the borrower’s payment obligations and the lender’s remedies, recording rights, and enforcement options under state and federal law.

Why this Combined Agreement Matters for Credit and Collateral

Using a combined promissory note with a pledge clause clarifies repayment terms and secures lender recovery rights while preserving borrower expectations; it supports enforceability, ease of filing, and clear remedies in default.

Why this Combined Agreement Matters for Credit and Collateral

Who Typically Prepares or Signs These Documents

Common parties include commercial lenders, private investors, small businesses granting collateral, and legal counsel preparing security instruments.

  • Commercial lenders and banks: Prepare standardized forms, perform perfection steps, and hold security interests.
  • Private lenders and investors: Use tailored terms for interest, maturity, and collateral description.
  • Borrowers and guarantors: Review payment schedule, default clauses, and collateral descriptions before signing.

Each party should confirm identity, authority to sign, and that collateral descriptions enable effective perfection and enforcement.

Roles and Typical Signatories

Lender Representative

Bank officer or in-house counsel who verifies loan approval, confirms security interest language, and signs on the lender's behalf. They coordinate perfection actions such as UCC-1 filings and recording where required.

Borrower Representative

Authorized officer, partner, or individual borrower who signs the note and pledge, certifies ownership of collateral, and agrees to payment terms and default waivers. Identity and authority should match corporate records or government ID.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Agreement

A complete document combines commercial clarity with enforceable security provisions. Include express amounts, dates, default remedies, collateral details, perfection steps, and governing law to reduce litigation and filing issues.

Principal

Exact loan amount in dollars, numerals and words, and any draw or advance schedule.

Interest

Specified rate (fixed or variable), calculation method, compounding frequency, and late interest provisions.

Payment Terms

Installment amounts, due dates, grace periods, prepayment rights, and acceleration triggers.

Collateral Description

Clear identification of pledged assets: serial numbers, account numbers, or inventory schedules.

Perfection Steps

UCC-1 filing, recording options, control agreements for deposit accounts, and notice requirements.

Default Remedies

Acceleration, repossession rights, sale procedures, deficiencies, and attorney fee recovery.

Required Information and Short Data Checklist

Loan Amount: Principal in USD
Interest Rate: APR or formula
Maturity Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Collateral: Specific asset IDs
Borrower ID: Legal entity and address
Governing Law: State name

Step-by-Step: How to Complete and Execute the Agreement

Follow these steps in order to create an enforceable promissory note and properly perfected pledge of collateral.

  • 01
    Draft Terms: Set principal, interest, schedule, and default conditions clearly.
  • 02
    Describe Collateral: Attach exhibits for serials, accounts, or inventory.
  • 03
    Review Authority: Confirm signatory authority with corporate resolutions or ID.
  • 04
    Perfect Security: File UCC-1, record deeds, or obtain control agreements as applicable.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Set up roles, required fields, and authentication to capture intent and maintain an audit trail.

Field Configuration
Signature Block Require name, title, and date
Authentication Email + SMS code or ID verification
Attachments Include collateral exhibits as PDFs
Audit Trail Enable timestamps, IP addresses, and completion certificate

Where to Send and File the Completed Agreement

Execution is followed by required perfection and distribution steps; route copies to each party and filing authorities as applicable.

  • Lender File: Retain original executed note and pledge.
  • Borrower Copy: Provide fully executed PDF to borrower.
  • UCC Filing: File UCC-1 in debtor’s state for priority.
  • Recordation: Record mortgages or deeds at county recorder if real property collateral.

Digital Signing and Sharing Considerations

Use an eSignature platform that supports audit trails, conditional fields, and appropriate signer authentication for secured loans.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX accepted
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA options
  • Integrations: CRM and cloud storage supported

Ensure the provider allows export of signed PDFs with certificate of completion and supports any required compliance (e.g., HIPAA BAA where health data is involved).

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using informal collateral descriptions that fail to identify assets precisely increases risk of unsuccessful UCC searches and lost priority.
  • Omitting governing law or forum selection clauses can create uncertainty about enforcement venue and applicable statutes.
  • Allowing initials without clear signature blocks or failing to record signatory titles can lead to challenges over authority to bind an entity.
  • Neglecting perfection steps—such as failing to file a UCC-1 or obtain control agreements—renders a security interest junior or unperfected.

Penalties and Risks of Incomplete or Incorrect Agreements

Unenforceable Security: Loss of priority
Tax Reporting: 1099 or withholding triggers
Default Disputes: Litigation costs
Fraud Claims: Potential rescission
Notary Errors: Recording rejection
Missed Filings: Loss of lien rights

Timing, Payment Dates, and Reporting Deadlines to Track

Track contractual payment dates and statutory reporting obligations to avoid penalties and preserve priority.

Payment Due Dates:

Follow schedule in note to avoid acceleration.

Default Cure Period:

Respect any contractual grace or cure timeframe.

UCC Filing Timing:

File UCC-1 promptly after execution to establish priority.

Tax Reporting:

Interest paid may require Form 1099-INT reporting to recipient by Jan 31.

Recording Deadlines:

Record mortgages or deeds per county rules promptly to preserve priority.

Key Milestones from Draft to Enforcement

A sequenced view helps teams coordinate review, execution, perfection, and enforcement steps.

01

Draft Approval

Internal review and lender/borrower negotiation complete before signing.

02

Execution

All parties sign; obtain notarizations or witness attestations if required.

03

Perfection

File UCC-1, record deeds, or obtain control agreements as applicable.

04

Post-Default

Enforce remedies per agreement and applicable state law.

eSignature Provider Pricing Snapshot for Loan Documents

Compare starting prices and core capabilities for common eSignature vendors when choosing a platform to manage promissory notes and pledge agreements.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Promissory Notes and Pledge Agreements

Answers to common execution, perfection, and enforcement questions for U.S. users.


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