(a) “Indorsement” means a signature, other than that of a signer as maker, drawer, or acceptor, that alone or accompanied by other words is made on an instrument for the purpose of (i) negotiating the instrument, (ii) restricting payment of the instrument, or (iii) incurring indorser’s liability on the instrument, but regardless of the intent of the signer, a signature and its accompanying words is an indorsement unless the accompanying words, terms of the instrument, place of the signature, or other circumstances unambiguously indicate that the signature was made for a purpose other than indorsement. For the purpose of determining whether a signature is made on an instrument, a paper affixed to the instrument is a part of the instrument; provided, however, that an indorsement of instruments representing student loans, including loans that are insured by the United States Secretary of Education under 20 U.S.C.A. 1071, et seq., as amended, or by a state or nonprofit private institution or organization with which the United States Secretary of Education has an agreement under 20 U.S.C.A. 1078(b) as amended, may be made by signed blanket indorsement, rather than in the manner otherwise provided in this subsection, if a notation to that effect is made in the name of the transferee on the instrument representing the student loan.

(b) “Indorser” means a person who makes an indorsement.

(c) For the purpose of determining whether the transferee of an instrument is a holder, an indorsement that transfers a security interest in the instrument is effective as an unqualified indorsement of the instrument.

(d) If an instrument is payable to a holder under a name that is not the name of the holder, indorsement may be made by the holder in the name stated in the instrument or in the holder’s name or both, but signature in both names may be required by a person paying or taking the instrument for value or collection.