SBA LOAN PROBLEMS: DO SMALL BUSINESS LOANS HELP?
We provide people who are facing an SBA loan default with solutions. We analyze SBA loan problems and provide solutions such as an SBA offer in compromise.
If you have a SBA loan default problem and you're working with your lender to wind down the business and settle the deficiency with an SBA Offer In Compromise (SBA OIC), time is of the essence. Lenders, banks, the CDC and the SBA generally do not wait much longer than 60-90 days after the defaulted borrower has been liquidated or shut down to tender an SBA OIC for consideration which, if accepted, could potentially release the guarantors from the deficiency for a lesser amount.
As part of the process, the bank, the lender, CDC or SBA should send you what is called the “60-day letter - click here to view: Sample 60 Day Referral Letter" where you'll be given only 60 days from the date of the letter to file an SBA OIC Package for SBA consideration. If you fail to timely submit an SBA OIC Package within the administrative time frame as noted in the letter you received, the bank or SBA will probably submit the file to the United States Department of Treasury for enforced collection, and thus, you will probably lose your one (1) time opportunity to settle for less than what is purportedly owed on the SBA loan debt through this special administrative process.
The United States Treasury Department rarely collects on these bad loans directly – rather they hire third-party collection agencies to handle them. These collection agencies don’t know anything about the history behind the loans – their job is to be ruthless in their collection efforts as they generally receive a generous percent of the collected amount or actually bought the so-called junk federal debt for pennies on the dollar.
Several of these federally approved third-party collection agencies or junk debt buyers are particularly nasty and rarely settle for less than 50% of the outstanding amount as the incentives for collection, litigation, and judgment pursuit are very high. Contrast that with the results that we have reviewed and settled and it’s easy to see the importance of addressing your outstanding SBA loan debt sooner rather than later, whether you’re working with a non-attorney consultant, an SBA Workout Attorney or the United States Treasury Department Circular 230 Practitioner, or attempting to do it yourself. If you think your banker is nasty or difficult to work with, you don’t want to experience the tactics of these collection agencies or junk debt buyers.
If you have an SBA loan default problem and received the 60-day referral letter to the Treasury Department, call us at 888-756-9969 to speak to one of our SBA Workout Attorneys and figure out your options. It's a complimentary Case Evaluation, or, simply a complete form to see if you pre-qualify for an SBA OIC.
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.
Our firm successfully facilitated the SBA settlement of a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) where borrower received an SBA disaster loan of $150,000, but due to the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the business was unable to recover.
Despite the borrower’s efforts to maintain operations, shutdowns and restrictions significantly reduced the customer base and revenue, making continued operations unsustainable. After a thorough business closure review, we negotiated with the SBA, securing a resolution where the borrower paid only $6,015 to release the collateral, with no further financial liability for the owner/officer.
This case demonstrates how businesses affected by the pandemic can navigate SBA loan settlements effectively. If your business is struggling with an SBA EIDL loan, we specialize in SBA Offer in Compromise (SBA OIC) solutions to help close outstanding debts while minimizing financial burden.
Client received the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice for a loan that was obtained by her small business in 2001. The SBA loan went into default in 2004 but after hearing nothing from the SBA lender or the SBA for 20 years, out of the blue, she received the SBA's collection due process notice which provided her with only one of four options: (1) repay the entire accelerated balance immediately; (2) negotiate a repayment arrangement; (3) challenge the legal enforceability of the debt with evidence; or (4) request an OHA hearing before a U.S. Administrative Law Judge.
Client hired the Firm to represent her with only 13 days left before the expiration deadline to respond to the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice. The Firm attorneys immediately researched the SBA's Official loan database to obtain information regarding the 7(a) loan. Thereafter, the Firm attorneys conducted legal research and asserted certain affirmative defenses challenging the legal enforceability of the debt. A written response was timely filed to the 60-Day Notice with the SBA subsequently agreeing with the client's affirmative defenses and legal arguments. As a result, the SBA rendered a decision immediately terminating collection of the debt against the client's alleged personal guarantee liability saving her $50,000.
Clients obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $324,000 to buy a small business and its facility. The business and real estate had an appraisal value of $318,000 at the time of purchase. The business ultimately failed but the participating lender abandoned the business equipment and real estate collateral even though it had valid security liens. As a result, the lender recouped nearly nothing from the pledged collateral, leaving the business owners liable for the deficiency balance. The SBA paid the lender the 7(a) guaranty money and was assigned ownership of the debt, including the right to collect. However, the clients never received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and were denied the opportunity to negotiate an Offer in Compromise (OIC) or a Workout directly with the SBA before being transferred to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service, which added an additional $80,000 in collection fees. Treasury garnished and offset the clients' wages, federal salary and social security benefits. When the clients tried to negotiate with Treasury by themselves, they were offered an unaffordable repayment plan which would have caused severe financial hardship. Clients subsequently hired the Firm to litigate an Appeals Petition before the SBA Office & Hearings Appeals (OHA) challenging the legal enforceability and amount of the debt. The Firm successfully negotiated a term OIC that was approved by the SBA Office of General Counsel, saving the clients approximately $205,000.
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