Overcollateralization (or OC), is a technique used by borrowers and issuers of asset-backed securities to reduce the risk associated with a loan or investment. It is achieved by pledging additional collateral to add the value of any given loan or asset-backed security in order to enhance the security of the loan or security, and thereby reduce the perceived risk of default.

For borrowers, over-collateralization may be beneficial if they are, for example, in a situation where they do not have excellent credit or are having difficulty obtaining adequate financing for a particular project. By offering additional collateral, borrowers may be able to overcome some of these difficulties and secure better terms for their loan, such as a lower interest rate or more flexible payment structure.

Issuers of asset-backed securities may also find over-collateralization to be beneficial. For example, if a company is issuing a large bond or other security backed by a variety of assets, they may use over-collateralization to reduce the risk to potential investors. By providing additional assets as collateral, the issuer can reduce the perceived risk and increase the chances that the security will be purchased. This can also potentially lead to a higher bond rating, which can result in lower borrowing costs and more favorable terms for the issuer.

Finally, a borrower or issuer can use over-collateralization to reduce their level of debt exposure. By lowering the amount of debt they have outstanding, they lower their risk and increase the chances that they will be able to pay back the loan or security. By reducing their total amount of debt, issuers and borrowers can also reduce the amount of interest they need to pay and reduce their overall risk of default.

Overall, over-collateralization can be beneficial for both borrowers and issuers of asset-backed securities. By pledging additional collateral and reducing their level of debt exposure, borrowers and issuers can reduce their risk and potentially increase the chances of their loan or security being approved at more favorable terms.