Whether you’re a CEO, a law firm, a fresh start-up, an established business, an active investor or an individual shareholder, stock loans provide you fast access to capital.

Securities lending and block trades against listed securities is not a new concept, but it is rapidly gaining popularity because it makes sense for the reality of today’s economy. We are living in extraordinary times. World financial markets are grossly undervaluing bellwether stocks such as Microsoft, GE and Citibank by reacting emotionally to market fears, rather than rationally by rewarding firms with solid balance sheets. And it’s even tougher out there for early stage companies that could be the next Google.

Making matters worse, we’re living in a time when business credit is not flowing freely, leaving C-suite executives, shareholders and investors searching for liquidity yet hesitant to cash in on stocks they hope will see a return to value.

Fundamentally, popular wisdom says our best days are ahead of us, which is why borrowing against your securities makes more sense than selling them today.