Banking law attorney in Louisiana for lenders and financial institutions

Legal Counsel for Banks and Lenders in Northeast Louisiana

We serve community banks, credit unions, CDFIs, equipment financiers, and private lenders across Monroe, West Monroe, Ruston, Bastrop, Rayville, and Farmerville. As a Monroe based team, Watson, McMillin & Street understands local court procedures in Ouachita and Lincoln Parishes, regional lending practices, and the title landscape through Marathon Title Company. Whether your team needs a banking lawyer in Monroe for day to day questions or a financial institution counsel for multi collateral transactions, we focus on practical, fast moving solutions.

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Lending & Secured Transactions

We structure, document, and close credit facilities from working capital lines to real estate development loans. Our team drafts and reviews term sheets, promissory notes, security agreements, guaranties, intercreditor agreements, and closing checklists, and provides timely legal opinions when required. We manage UCC perfection and priority through UCC 1 filings, fixture filings, PMSI strategy, continuations, amendments, and lien searches so collateral positions remain clear. Working with Marathon Title, we coordinate real estate collateral, mortgages, escrow and recording, curative work, and post closing releases and cancellations to keep your portfolio clean.

Regulatory & Compliance Support

From lending policies and procedures to fair lending considerations, we help align operations with Louisiana and federal requirements. We advise on BSA/AML interfaces with outside vendors, adverse action notices, privacy and data security, and we negotiate core processor, payments, and fintech agreements that protect data and define service levels.

Bank Litigation & Bankruptcy Interface

We prosecute commercial collections, recover collateral through court approved processes, and manage proofs of claim, stay relief, adequate protection, cash collateral orders, and plan objections in Chapters 7, 11, and 13. Our goal is efficient recovery with clear reporting to special assets teams.

Default Management & Workouts

When a borrower struggles, we move quickly to preserve options. Our team drafts forbearance and standstill agreements, collateral substitutions, deeds in lieu, and structured workout plans that reduce risk while maintaining borrower cooperation when possible. If enforcement is necessary, we map demand strategies and choose between executory or ordinary process with a clear timeline to judgment and sale.

FAQs about Lenders

  • When should we file a fixture filing in addition to a UCC 1?

    When collateral is or will become a fixture; we file both and coordinate with the parish clerk for real property records.

  • How long does perfection last?

    Five years for most UCC filings; we docket continuations well in advance.

  • When is executory process preferable?

    When authentic evidence supports it; we evaluate documentation at intake and advise on speed, cost, and defenses.