Many businesses of all sizes are struggling with debt. Both new and older troubled businesses have found that government legal action resulting from an SBA loan default magnifies their financial difficulties. An SBA loan foreclosure can also result in the loss of the owner's home and other personal assets.
The Inspector General of the SBA (OIG) has criticized the SBA's oversight of lenders and called for tighter controls. To date, the OIG's aggressive pursuit of lenders, brokers and others has resulted in numerous indictments, convictions and hefty fines. OIG audits of lenders found that 44% of the reviewed loans had inadequate documentation.
A qualified attorney from the Protect Law Group is able to conduct a comprehensive audit of an SBA loan in order to determine if the lender committed fraud or if any regulatory deficiencies or other SOP violations took place. If this audit reveals regulatory mishaps, a petition can be submitted to the SBA (or any other federal agency holding the debt) that will disclose the findings of the audit and ask that any and all collection actions be terminated.
The goal is to show that the SBA debt is not "legally enforceable" so that the government will seek recovery from the fraudulent bank or lender. Because of the Federal Statute of Limitations, the sooner this audit is performed and action is taken, the better.
At some point, a business owner with a past-due loan will receive an SBA demand letter. This letter will state that the loan will be referred to the Department of the Treasury unless an SBA Offer in Compromise is received within 60 days from the date of the letter. This is a one-time opportunity to settle the SBA loan for less than the amount that they say is owed.
The Tax Offset Program is employed by the Treasury to collect a defaulted loan balance. They will take any tax refunds, 15% of any federal benefits such as social security and garnish 15% of your net wages.
The attorneys at Protect Law Group have the knowledge and experience necessary to erase or settle your SBA debt. Don't delay. As a personal guarantor of this debt, your home is in jeopardy. Contact them today for a free case evaluation.
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 assisted a client in closing an SBA Disaster Loan tied to a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The borrower obtained an EIDL loan of $153,800, but due to the prolonged economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the business was unable to recover and ultimately closed.
As part of the business closure review and audit, we worked closely with the SBA to negotiate a resolution. The borrower was required to pay only $1,625 to release the remaining collateral, effectively closing the matter without further financial liability for the owner/officer.
This case highlights the importance of strategic negotiations when dealing with SBA settlements, particularly for businesses that have shut down due to unforeseen economic challenges. If you or your business are struggling with SBA loan debt, we focus on SBA Offer in Compromise (SBA OIC) solutions to help settle outstanding obligations efficiently.
Our firm successfully facilitated the SBA settlement of a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) f 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’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.
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