What is a characteristic of a secured loan?

A secured loan is primarily characterized by the requirement of collateral, which is an asset that the borrower offers to the lender as a guarantee against the loan. This means that if the borrower fails to make the required payments, the lender has the right to seize the collateral to recover their losses. The presence of collateral reduces the lender's risk, which often allows borrowers to receive lower interest rates compared to unsecured loans.

For example, home mortgages and auto loans are common types of secured loans where the property or vehicle acts as collateral. This characteristic is crucial because it differentiates secured loans from unsecured loans, where no collateral is required and the loan is primarily based on the borrower's creditworthiness. Thus, the defining feature of a secured loan is indeed its dependence on collateral, making this the correct choice.