A credit tenant lease, or CTL, is a type of long-term lease in which the tenant's creditworthiness is used as collateral for a commercial real estate loan. The lender, typically a bank, life insurance company, or CMBS lender, agrees to make a loan to the owner of the property leased by the credit tenant. CTLs are often used by major corporations, educational institutions, or government agencies who want to lease space in high-end office buildings or large retail centers. Credit tenant lease terms are typically between 10-15 years.