Ugh! Don't compare this to another paper transaction, or worse, an electronic transaction...I just wanted to purchase a small amount of land...too small for consideration of a conventional real estate loan. So I spoke with my local bank, and arranged for them to hold PM until such a time when PM values are right for profit taking...At which time PM can be liquidated, and loan paid off entirely. In the mean time, bank gets interest of ~6%. Trick is to supply PM of consistant value to collateralize loan value. I suppose the land could also serve as secondary collateral. Just trying to put all my assets to work. S~P