The due diligence

The discipline behind every deal

KYC · AML

Preservation of capital before the pursuit of yield.

The name is a nod to Dr John Watson: the steady analyst who grounds bold ideas in evidence. Every facility is structured around secured collateral, conservative underwriting, and a long view of the relationship.

Invest or finance

DUE DILIGENCE 9 STAGES ON EVERY DEAL

Watson
doctrine

First-rank securityRegistered first

A first-rank mortgage over the asset is registered before disbursement, ranking Watson AM ahead of other creditors.

Personal guaranteesBeyond the asset

When applicable, the sponsor stands personally behind the facility, so recourse extends beyond the asset itself.

Bank guaranteeAdditional layer

Where a deal calls for it, a bank guarantee from a named institution sits behind the facility, adding a further layer between investor capital and any loss.

Due diligenceNine steps

A published nine-stage pipeline runs on every facility, from first assessment through to ongoing monitoring.

Exit strategyPre-approved

Every facility is underwritten to a clear, pre-agreed exit before any terms are issued.

CollateralAsset-backed

Each loan is secured against real property, so repayment never rests on cash flow alone.

Term profileShort to mid

Facilities run short to mid-term, keeping capital working and turning over rather than locked away.

Maximum LTVUp to 75%

Loans are sized against a conservative view of value, leaving an equity cushion beneath Watson AM's position.

Underwriter reviewEvery deal

Nothing is funded without passing Watson AM's internal underwriting committee.

Swiss companyAG structure

Watson AM AG is a Swiss company, registered in Basel under UID CHE-368.490.535.

Click on any line for explanations

How a deal is checked.

Scrutiny

01Initial project assessment. Alignment with risk tolerance and a business model review.
02Legal due diligence. Swiss and local law firms vet the borrower and the structure.
03Conditions Precedent check. Verifying the CP list: the conditions that must be met before any money moves.

Structure

04Financial and collateral review. The numbers and the asset behind them.
05Security package design. Liens, pledges, and guarantees, set per deal.
06Notarial registration. Security registered before disbursement.

Stewardship

07Compliance and regulatory review. AML and KYC against Swiss, European, and local standards.
08Final approval and documentation. Sign-off and the paper trail.
09Ongoing monitoring. Regular borrower check-ins and clear enforcement triggers.

Main jurisdictions

Switzerland Germany Austria Denmark Norway Sweden Finland United Kingdom Spain Italy France Switzerland Germany Austria Denmark Norway Sweden Finland United Kingdom Spain Italy France

Switzerland
Germany
Austria
Denmark
Norway
Sweden
Finland
United Kingdom
Spain
Italy
France

Loan paperwork and documents laid out on a desk.

The questions we ask ourselves.

Can we understand the asset?

We lend against collateral we can value, register and, if needed, claim.

Can the sponsor execute?

We back a proven track record and a team that has built this before.

Does it clear compliance?

KYC and AML on every counterparty, to Swiss, European and local standards.

Is the leverage right?

Sized to a conservative value and capped at 75% loan-to-value, with equity beneath us.

Can we protect the capital?

Layered security, set per deal: first-rank mortgage, guarantees and covenants behind it.

Can we see the way out?

No facility is written without a clear exit, agreed before terms are issued.