A significant portion of lending by financial institutions in Thailand is collateral-based (i.e. the collateral securing the loan is the primary source of repayment). With the property and stock price boom in full swing, financial institutions did not spend resources on valuing the underlying collateral should a need to foreclose arise. Banks were also under pressure from shareholders to take on risky investments in return for potential profits an attractive dividend payment. This is turn, made them less vigilant in monitoring and taking appropriate actions against borrowers once they showed signs of financial deterioration. The growing risks inherent in the system were, unfortunately, overshadowed by the real estate and/or stock market boom and the banking system was ripe for asset deflation.