Viatical settlements is a specialized industry within the loan brokerage sector that involves the purchase of life insurance policies from individuals who are terminally ill or have a life-threatening condition. The viatical settlement provider pays the policyholder a lump sum amount that is less than the death benefit of the policy, but greater than the cash surrender value. The viatical settlement provider then becomes the beneficiary of the policy and receives the death benefit when the policyholder passes away. This industry provides a financial option for individuals who are in need of immediate cash and have exhausted other financial resources.