What is a loan called that is secured by collateral that can be taken if the borrower fails to repay?

A loan that is secured by collateral is known as a secured loan. In this type of arrangement, the borrower offers an asset (such as a house, car, or cash deposited in an account) as collateral to guarantee repayment. If the borrower fails to repay the loan, the lender has the legal right to seize the collateral to recover the outstanding debt. This provides a level of security for the lender, reducing their risk compared to unsecured loans, where no collateral is involved.

The other types of loans mentioned do not have this guarantee. An unsecured loan carries no collateral, meaning lenders are taking a higher risk. Short-term loans are defined by their repayment schedule rather than collateral requirements, and a consolidated loan refers to combining multiple loans into one rather than discussing collateral. Thus, secured loans are specifically characterized by their collateral backing, which makes them distinct.