(Reuters) - Some U.S. pawnbrokers are taking liquid assets - literally. Fine wines are among the items they will accept as collateral for loans, along with family jewels and fine art, as a practice common in Britain and France catches on across the Atlantic. Liquidity issues, or a cash shortage, can be found on most rungs of the economic ladder, the pawnbrokers said. "You'd be amazed by how many wealthy individuals have terrible credit ratings. And besides, if you go to a bank, it can take weeks or months to get a loan. When we make a loan, it's usually the same day," said Jordan Tabach-Bank, head of Beverly Loan Co.