SBA Loan Requirements: Complete List for Eligibility
One viable way to fund your startup is to get a loan from the SBA. Find the SBA loan requirements in an easy-to-follow format here.
Businesses can suffer from excessive debt, just as individuals can. According to the SBA, almost half of all small businesses fail within the first five years, mostly because of poor credit, excessive debt and insufficient capital. Borrowing is sensible when it’s needed to finance expansion or boost cash flow, but many businesses end up in SBA loan default because they are not able to repay what they owe. Here, business owners can learn their options for dealing with debt, including making an SBA Offer in Compromise
The most ideal option for many is to try to save the business while managing debt. Many business owners take money out of their pockets to fund the company, but this strategy should only be taken if it is likely to pay off in the long term. If the business cannot be saved with an infusion of private funds, the owner must identify ways to cut costs. While layoffs are not the most appealing option, they may be necessary to keep a struggling business afloat.
Business owners should stay in touch with customers, seeking ways to increase exposure and revenue. Offer markdowns to loyal customers if they pay quicker, and contact suppliers to ask for payment arrangements and discounts. If this is done early enough, it may be sufficient to save a struggling company.
The business owner should contact creditors and advise them of the situation. Ignoring an SBA demand letter will make the situation worse, and it is easier to handle debt early on through a Tax Offset Program. It is in everyone’s best interests to find a workable solution, and clients should request lower interest rates, increased credit lines and/or an SBA Offer in Compromise.
Another option is to try to sell the company to repay creditors. It is easier to deal with a single buyer than to go through SBA loan foreclosure, and an orderly sale may free the owner from later obligations once creditors are paid. However, if the business’ debts are more than its assets, it may be hard to find a buyer.
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.
The client personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000. His business revenue decreased significantly causing default and an accelerated balance of $143,000. The client received the SBA's Official 60-day notice with the debt scheduled for referral to the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service for aggressive collection in less than 26 days. We were hired to represent him, respond to the SBA's Official 60-day notice, and prevent enforced collection by the Treasury and the Department of Justice. We successfully negotiated a structured workout with an extended maturity date that included a reduction of the 14% interest rate and removal of substantial collection fees (30% of the loan balance), effectively saving the client over $242,000.
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 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.
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