If you Owe more than $30,000 contact us for a case evaluation at (833) 428-0937
contact us for a free case evaluation at (833) 428-0937
Call us (833) 428-0937

Understanding The Role Of SBA Loan Servicers

Discover the crucial role of SBA loan servicers in managing loans and ensuring compliance, helping small business owners navigate the complex lending landscape.

Schedule a Consultation

Have you ever pondered the intricate processes involved when dealing with SBA loans? Understanding the nuances of SBA loan servicers and their role in the lending journey can be crucial for any small business owner. Loans provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) have become an essential tool for expanding, starting, or sustaining businesses across the nation. Yet, the complexity of managing these loans often requires the involvement of specialized entities known as SBA loan servicers.

What is an SBA Loan Servicer?

An SBA loan servicer is an entity responsible for managing various aspects of an SBA-backed loan. These can range from processing payments to ensuring compliance with loan terms. The servicer acts as an intermediary between the borrower and the lender, ensuring that the loan progresses smoothly and in accordance with the established guidelines.

Core Responsibilities of SBA Loan Servicers

SBA loan servicers have several fundamental responsibilities:

  • Payment Processing: They handle and process payments made by borrowers, ensuring timely distribution to the SBA or the originating lender.
  • Compliance Checks: Ensuring that borrowers comply with loan terms and conditions.
  • Loan Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the loan to detect early signs of default or financial distress.
  • Communication Management: Acting as the communication bridge between lenders and borrowers.

Importance for Small Business Owners

For small business owners, understanding the functions of an SBA loan servicer is essential. These servicers help alleviate the administrative burden of managing the loan and ensure that borrowers remain compliant with SBA requirements. Failure to adhere to these can result in dire financial and legal consequences.

Protect Law Group’s Expertise in SBA Loan Matters

Navigating the legal intricacies of SBA loans can be daunting, which is where the Protect Law Group steps in. Specializing in SBA and Treasury debt issues, the Protect Law Group offers expert legal services that cater specifically to small business owners and federal debtors in the U.S.

Areas of Expertise

Protect Law Group provides a comprehensive range of services essential for any business facing SBA loan challenges:

  • Proactive Legal Strategies: Developing approaches to defend against and resolve SBA debt collection issues.
  • Appeals and Petitions: Assisting in filing Appeals Petitions with the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA).
  • Error Investigation: Identifying factual, procedural, and legal errors for proposed defense or prosecution.
  • Administrative Interventions: Responding to notices from the SBA regarding offsets involving federal salaries, pensions, military pays, etc.

Nationwide Representation

Authorized under the Agency Practice Act, the attorneys at Protect Law Group represent federal debtors on a national scale before various governmental bodies, including the SBA and Bureau of Fiscal Service.

Specific Services Offered by Protect Law Group

The Protect Law Group doesn’t just offer general legal counsel; it dives deep into specific areas that can make a significant difference for businesses dealing with SBA loan issues.

SBA Offer in Compromise (OIC)

An SBA Offer in Compromise is a viable solution for eligible businesses seeking to resolve their SBA debt for a lesser amount. This approach provides a lifeline for those under financial strain, allowing them to manage debts without the severe escalation of legal or financial action.

Structured Workout

This involves a negotiated agreement between the SBA and the borrower, enabling debt repayment over an extended period. Such arrangements can provide breathing room for businesses and a more manageable financial plan.

Administrative Litigation and Negotiations

Through its litigation services, Protect Law Group provides substantial aid for clients involved in disputes with the SBA. Whether confronted with a lawsuit or a need for negotiation, this firm leverages its expertise to procure the best terms possible for its clients.

Managing Cross-Servicing Disputes

In cases where debts are transferred to the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service, Protect Law Group can proficiently prepare a Petition for Cross-Servicing Dispute. This process ensures that any issues stemming from service transfers are effectively addressed.

Why Work with Protect Law Group?

Choosing the right firm to aid with SBA debt can profoundly impact your business’s future. Protect Law Group provides advantages that make it a distinguished choice among competitors.

Experience and Track Record

With a history of resolving millions in SBA debts, Protect Law Group brings unparalleled experience to the table. Their ability to negotiate repayment agreements and offers in compromise shows their dedication and expertise in resolving complex financial matters.

Ethical Standards and Technological Edge

The firm is known for its uncompromising ethics and the utilization of cutting-edge technologies. This ensures that clients receive updated, relevant information in a cost-effective manner, allowing for informed decision-making throughout the resolution process.

Unique Client Experience

Protect Law Group’s approach goes beyond traditional legal advice, seeking to exceed client expectations by offering personalized and detailed guidance tailored to meet each client’s unique challenges and needs.

Practical Implications of SBA Loan Servicing

Understanding the practical implications of properly servicing an SBA loan is essential. Regular interaction with your servicer can greatly influence the course of your loan experience.

Foreclosure and Bankruptcy Prevention

Loan default can result in severe ramifications, such as foreclosure or bankruptcy. Professional guidance can mitigate these risks, providing strategies aimed at maintaining business continuity.

Preserving Business and Personal Assets

With SBA loan issues often threatening both business and personal asset bases, Protect Law Group works zealously to reduce potential damages, preserving clients’ assets whenever possible.

Reducing Stress and Ensuring Peace of Mind

The complexities of financial disputes can cause significant stress and anxiety. Professional legal support offers peace of mind, reassuring business owners that their case is in capable hands.

Navigating SBA Loans: A Conclusion

Understanding the vital role that SBA loan servicers and legal professionals like Protect Law Group play in the landscape of business lending can significantly impact the success and longevity of your business. These entities not only provide essential financial services but also offer critical legal assistance that can help avert severe financial setbacks.

In conclusion, comprehending the intricate workings of SBA loan servicers, coupled with expert legal representation, empowers small business owners with the knowledge, tools, and strategies required to navigate the often turbulent waters of SBA debt. Whether you’re seeking to understand compliance, negotiate better terms, or secure asset protection, equipping yourself with detailed insights and expert advice can make all the difference in safeguarding your business’s financial health.

$166,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

$166,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

Clients executed personal and corporate guarantees for an SBA 7(a) loan from a Preferred Lender Provider (PLP). The borrower corporation defaulted on the loan exposing all collateral pledged by the Clients. The SBA subsequently acquired the loan balance from the PLP, including the right to collect against all guarantors. The SBA sent the Official Pre-Referral Notice to the guarantors giving them sixty (60) days to either pay the outstanding balance in full, negotiate a Repayment (Offer in Compromise (OIC) or Structured Workout (SW)), challenge their alleged guarantor liability or file a Request for Hearing (Appeals Petition) with the SBA Office of Hearings & Appeals.

Because the Clients were not financially eligible for an OIC, they opted for Structured Workout negotiations directly with the SBA before the debt was transferred to the Bureau of Fiscal Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Treasury for enforced collection.

The Firm was hired to negotiate a global Workout Agreement directly with the SBA to resolve the personal and corporate guarantees. After submitting the Structured Workout proposal, the assigned SBA Loan Specialist approved the requested terms in under ten (10) days without any lengthy back and forth negotiations.

The favorable terms of the Workout included an extended maturity at an affordable principal amount, along with a significantly reduced interest rate saving the Clients approximately $181,000 in administrative fees, penalties and interest (contract interest rate and Current Value of Funds Rate (CVFR)) as authorized by 31 U.S.C. § 3717(e) had the SBA loan been transferred to BFS.

‍

$750,000 SBA 7A LOAN – NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

$750,000 SBA 7A LOAN – NEGOTIATED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

Client’s small business obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $750,000.  She and her husband signed personal guarantees exposing all of their non-exempt income and assets. With just 18 months left on the maturity date and payment on the remaining balance, the Great Recession of 2008 hit, which ultimately caused the business to fail and default on the loan terms. The 7(a) lender accelerated and sent a demand for full payment of the remaining loan balance.  The SBA lender’s note allowed for a default interest rate of about 7% per year. In response to the lender's aggressive collection action, Client's husband filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in an attempt to protect against their personal assets. However, his bankruptcy discharge did not relieve the Client's personal guarantee liability for the SBA debt. The SBA lender opted to pursue the SBA 7(a) Guaranty and subsequently assigned the loan and the right to enforce collection against the Client to the SBA. The Client then received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice. After conducting a Case Evaluation with her, she then hired the Firm to respond and negotiate on her behalf with just 34 days left before the impending referral to Treasury. The Client wanted to dispute the SBA’s alleged debt balance as stated in the 60-Day Notice by claiming the 7(a) lender failed to liquidate business collateral in a commercially reasonable manner - which if done properly - proceeds would have paid back the entire debt balance.  However, due to time constraints, waivers contained in the SBA loan instruments, including the fact the Client was not able to inspect the SBA's records for investigation purposes before the remaining deadline, Client agreed to submit a Structured Workout for the alleged balance in response to the Official 60-Day Notice as she was not eligible for an Offer in Compromise (OIC) because of equity in non-exempt income and assets. After back and forth negotiations, the SBA Loan Specialist approved the Workout proposal, reducing the Client's purported liability by nearly $142,142.27 in accrued interest, and statutory collection fees. Without the Firm's intervention and subsequent approval of the Workout proposal, the Client's debt amount (with accrued interest, Treasury's statutory collection fee and Treasury's interest based on the Current Value of Funds Rate (CVFR) would have been nearly $291,030.

‍

$1,500,000 SBA COVID-EIDL LOAN - SBA OHA LITIGATION

$1,500,000 SBA COVID-EIDL LOAN - SBA OHA LITIGATION

Small business and guarantors obtained an SBA COVID-EIDL loan for $1,000,000. Clients defaulted causing SBA to charge-off the loan, accelerate the balance and refer the debt to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service for collection. Treasury added nearly $500,000 in collection fees totaling $1,500,000. Clients were served with the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice and exercised the Repayment option by applying for the SBA’s Hardship Accommodation Plan. However, their application was summarily rejected by the SBA without providing any meaningful reasons. Clients hired the Firm to represent them against the SBA, Treasury and a Private Collection Agency.  After securing government records through discovery, we filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings & Appeals (OHA) court challenging the SBA's referral of the debt to Treasury. During litigation and before the OHA court issued a final Decision and Order, the Firm successfully negotiated a reinstatement and recall of the loan back to the SBA, a modification of the original repayment terms, termination of Treasury's enforced collection and removal of the statutory collection fees.

Read more Case Results
Providing real solutions to individuals who are facing SBA loan problems. Contact one of our experienced SBA Attorneys and Federal Agency Practitioners today for a Case Evaluation - (833) 428-0937.
©2021 Protect Law Group, All Rights Reserved.Design by T. Walker Consulting, Inc.