SBA Loan Default: Termination of Collection Action
Dealing with an SBA OIC case can be hard. You should allow one of our lawyers to settle SBA debt for you. Talk to us about your SBA loan default.
Small business owners could acquire assistance through local attorneys. This assistance could prevent them from suffering through financial ruin. It presents them with the opportunity to gain an SBA Offer in Compromise. These options could eliminate the possibility of seizure and foreclosure.
An SBA loan default occurs when the borrower is more than ninety days delinquent on their loan. After the loan is in default, the lender has the right to begin the seizure of the identified collateral. The collateral is any property or assets used to secure the loan. It is primarily the building or machinery that was purchased through the funds provided by the loan.
A default could also lower the borrower's credit score. This could make it difficult for the company to acquire new lines of credit. It could make it impossible for them to acquire a low-interest loan for business purposes.
Once the borrower acquires the SBA demand letter, they must take immediate action. Any failure to take action could lead to negative legal action. This could include the foreclosure of the property or a lawsuit to collect the full balance of the loan.
The borrower should contact an attorney to evaluate their options. The attorney could determine if an SBA offer of compromise is possible. This opportunity could allow the borrower to pay a small value without suffering the negative consequences of default.
An SBA loan foreclosure could lead to the end of the company. If the business owner loses their property through foreclosure, it is not likely that they will receive another loan. This could prevent them from reopening their doors after the settlement offer is accepted.
Local small business owners need help reducing the negative impact of a default. An attorney helps them with these opportunities by determining if an SBA offer in compromise is available to them. This opportunity could reduce the full value of the loan and make it more affordable. Business owners who wish to enter into a Tax Offset Program or acquire an offer in compromise should contact an attorney now.
Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure
Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements
Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.
Client personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan to help with a relative’s new business venture. After the business failed, Treasury was able to secure a recurring Treasury Offset Program (TOP) levy against his monthly Social Security Benefits based on the claim that he owed over $1.2 million dollars. We initially submitted a Cross-Servicing Dispute, but then, prepared and filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (SBA OHA). As a result of our efforts, we were able to convince the SBA to not only terminate the claimed debt of $1.2 million dollars against our client (without him having to file bankruptcy) but also refund the past recurring amounts that were offset from his Social Security Benefits in connection with the TOP levy.
Client’s small business obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000. He and his wife signed personal guarantees and pledged their home as collateral. The SBA loan went into default, the term or maturity date was accelerated and demand for payment of the entire amount claimed was made. The SBA lender’s note gave it the right to adjust the default interest rate from 7.25% to 18% per annum. The business filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but was dismissed after 3 years due to its inability to continue with payments under the plan. Clients wanted to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which would have been a mistake as their home had significant equity to repay the SBA loan balance in full as the Trustee would likely seize and sell the home to repay the secured and unsecured creditors. However, the SBA lender opted to pursue the SBA 7(a) Guaranty and subsequently assigned the loan and the right to enforce collection to the SBA. Clients then received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and hired the Firm to respond to it and negotiate on their behalf. Clients disputed the SBA’s alleged balance of $148,000, as several payments made to the SBA lender during the Chapter 11 reorganization were not accounted for. To challenge the SBA’s claimed debt balance, the Firm Attorneys initiated expedited discovery to obtain government records. SBA records disclosed the true amount owed was about $97,000. Moreover, because the Clients’ home had significant equity, they were not eligible for an Offer in Compromise or an immediate Release of Lien for Consideration, despite being incorrectly advised by non-attorney consulting companies that they were. Instead, our Firm Attorneys recommended a Workout of $97,000 spread over a lengthy term and a waiver of the applicable interest rate making the monthly payment affordable. After back and forth negotiations, SBA approved the Workout proposal, thereby saving the home from imminent foreclosure and reducing the Clients' liability by nearly $81,000 in incorrect principal balance, accrued interest, and statutory collection fees.
Clients' 7(a) loan was referred to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service for enforced collection in 2015. They not only personally guaranteed the loan, but also pledged their primary residence as additional collateral. One of the clients filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy thinking that it would discharge the SBA 7(a) lien encumbering their home. They later discovered that they were mistakenly advised. The Firm was subsequently hired to review their case and defend against a series of collection actions. Eventually, we were able to negotiate a structured workout for $180,000 directly with the SBA, saving them approximately $250,000 (by reducing the default interest rate and removing Treasury's substantial collection fees) and from possible foreclosure.
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