Banks and other providers of debt finance lend a specified amount of money (the principal), in exchange for a promise that the money will be repaid on a specified schedule (the term), plus payment of their profit (often in the form of up- front fees and interest over the term of the loan). Very large loans are often syndicated, a process in which one bank takes the lead in negotiating the loan, while many other banks also participate by contributing small portions of the total loan amount. To help ensure that they are repaid and make a profit, lenders also seek collateral or security by requiring that the borrower give them the right to take possession of borrower's assets should he or she fail to make the agreed payments. Deciding which assets of a partnership arrangement should be put up as collateral for loans can be a major topic of negotiation. For example, should a bank have the right to take over the operation - or even ownership - of system assets (pipes, treatment plants) if the partnership fails to pay on time?