I have never said it was a 'secured loan'.

Please do not put words in my mouth.

I have taken contracts with 'promissory notes' and have collected because of the existence of the terms of the note,

It's not a secured loan (I know that) but it provides a way to collect if it is not paid and that is a form of security to the person making the loan.

This I know well from personal experience.

Give a loan without a 'promissory note' and then tell me how much alike they are.