The transcript of the video follows below for further review.
Are SBA Loan Debts Dischargeable in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
The short answer to this commonly-asked question is – generally, yes. But, there are significant risks that SBA business owners, SBA guarantors and SBA obligors should be aware of before making the final decision of filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy to discharge an SBA guaranteed loan.
Question: What significant risks can materialize if an SBA debtor files bankruptcy to discharge an SBA loan debt associated with an SBA Unconditional Guarantee?
Answer: The most significant risk that can occur is where the SBA 7(a) Lender, Certified Development Corporation (CDC) or the SBA files a Complaint initiating an Adversary Proceeding under 11 U.S.C.A. § 523(a)(2)(B) in response to an SBA debtor’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing.
Question: What are the allegations that can accompany a Complaint for an Adversary Proceeding?
Answer: Generally, the Plaintiff (SBA 7(a) Lender, CDC or the SBA) requests the federal bankruptcy court to find that the SBA loan balance is non-dischargeable because the SBA debtor obtained the SBA loan from the Plaintiff fraudulently by providing it with documented misrepresentations or false financial statements regarding the financial condition of the business or of the personal guarantor(s).
The Plaintiff would generally argue that, as a result of the SBA debtor’s fraud or misrepresentation, it has incurred losses in the outstanding amount of the SBA debt, plus costs, interest, attorneys’ fees, and expenses, for which it seeks a judgment.
Question: What federal laws govern non-dischargability of eligible debts under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing?
Answer: The non-dischargeability of debts is governed by 11 U.S.C.A. § 523, which provides, in
material part:
(a) A discharge under section 727[5] . . . of this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt —
(2) for money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or refinancing of credit, to the extent obtained, by —
…
(B) use of a statement in writing—
(i) that is materially false;
(ii) respecting the debtor’s or an insider’s financial condition;
(iii) on which the creditor to whom the debtor is liable for such money, property, services, or credit reasonably relied; and
(iv) that the debtor caused to be made or published with intent to deceive[.]
…
(c)(1) Except as provided . . ., the debtor shall be discharged from a debt of a kind
specified in paragraph (2) . . . of subsection (a) of this section, unless, on request of the creditor to whom such debt is owed, and after notice and a hearing, the court determines such debt to be excepted from discharge under paragraph (2) . . ., as the case may be, of subsection (a) of this section. 11 U.S.C.A. § 523.
Question: What kind of proof must the shown against the SBA debtor in order to convince a court to issue an order of non-dischargeability of an SBA debt?
Answer: In general, a determination of non-dischargeability under § 523(a)(2)(B) requires proof that the Plaintiff (SBA 7(a) Lender, CDC or the SBA) loaned money after it reasonably relied upon false financial documents concerning the SBA debtor and/or an insider, provided to it by the SBA debtor either directly or indirectly, and that the SBA debtor intended to deceive the Plaintiff when doing so.
Question: Does fraudulent behavior expose an SBA debtor to criminal charges as well?
Answer: The kinds of behavior required to have an SBA debt be considered not dischargeable can sometimes result in criminal charges.
Where applicable, an SBA debtor can be charged with grand theft or other related fraud in connection with procuring an SBA guaranteed loan.
Question: What other kind of SBA debtor behavior can result in an SBA debt not being discharged in bankruptcy?
Answer: There are two other main kinds of potentially problematic behavior:
Fraud in a fiduciary capacity can be alleged through fraud, trick and device, with a preconceived design and intent, that an SBA debtor misappropriated monies from the Plaintiff SBA 7(a) Lender, CDC or SBA.
The allegations about injury can center around the SBA debtor’s actions and the claim that they were willful, malicious, and the proximate cause of the financial damages.
Question: Does the bankruptcy court have the power to decide whether a disputed claim re an SBA debt be discharged, and to determine the amount an SBA debtor owes?
Answer: Simply put, yes – a bankruptcy court has this power.
Although it's clear that Congress has the power to legislate about bankruptcy under the U.S. Constitution, for decades there have been big debates about how much power bankruptcy judges can have under the Constitution.
The situation was complicated a few years ago by an opinion of the U.S Supreme Court that somewhat restricted the power of bankruptcy judges.
However, the Supreme Court opinion does not apply to non-dischargeability issues, which are firmly within the jurisdiction of the federal bankruptcy courts.
If you are considering filing bankruptcy for an SBA loan debt stemming from an SBA Unconditional Guarantee or a Treasury/Bureau of Fiscal Service debt problem, contact us today for an initial consultation with an experienced SBA or Treasury workout attorney at 1-888-756-9969
We can analyze your SBA loan, Treasury/BFS debt or Private Collection Agency problem and advise you on a range of potential solutions.
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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 SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000. COVID-19 caused the business to fail, and the loan went into default with a balance of $133,000. Client initially hired a non-attorney consultant to negotiate an OIC. The SBA summarily rejected the ineligible OIC and the debt was referred to Treasury’sBureau of Fiscal Service for enforced collection in the debt amount of $195,000. We were hired to intervene and initiated discovery for SBA and Fiscal Service records. We were able to recall the case from Fiscal Service back to the SBA. We then negotiated a structured workout with favorable terms that saves the client approximately $198,000 over the agreed-upon workout term by waiving contractual and statutory administrative fees, collection costs, penalties, and interest.
Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan for $350,000. The small business failed but because of the personal guarantee liability, the client continued to pay the monthly principal & interest out-of-pocket draining his savings. Client hired a local attorney but quickly realized that he was not familiar with SBA-backed loans or their standard operating procedures. Our firm was subsequently hired after the client received the SBA's official 60-day notice. After back-and-forth negotiations, we were able to convince the SBA to reinstate the loan, retract the acceleration of the outstanding balance, modify the original terms, and approve a structured workout reducing the interest rate from 7.75% to 0% and extending the maturity date for a longer period to make the monthly payments affordable. In conclusion, not only we were able to help the client avoid litigation and bankruptcy, but we also save him approximately $227,945 over the term of the workout.
Clients personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan balance of over $300,000. Clients also pledged their home as additional collateral. SBA OIC accepted for $87,000 with full release of lien against home.
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