What Does the Banking Meltdown Mean for SBA Loans
With the meltdown of SVB and Signature banks and other banks teetering it may affect SBA loans in the future and current loans as well.
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.
Book a Consultation CallDealing with the idea that you might be facing an SBA loan default can be terrifying. The SBA attorneys in our office are skilled at helping clients understand all the facets of their situation. We will advise you as to the potential for an SBA offer in compromise. You should never face your SBA loan problems alone. It is important to retain the services of an attorney who can help you through this difficult time in your life. Please contact us for a free initial consultation.
Pursuant to SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) a lender is limited as to what fees it can charge a borrower.
What Fees Can a Lender Charge?
Extraordinary servicing.
Subject to prior written SBA approval, if all or part of a loan will have extraordinary servicing needs, the Lender may charge the applicant a service fee not to exceed 2 percent per year on the outstanding balance of the part requiring special servicing. An example of extraordinary servicing is the special servicing required on an Asset Based Line of Credit, under the umbrella of the CAPLines program where the lender must conduct field audits of inventory and accounts receivable, collect receivables, and maintain cash collateral accounts.
Out-of-pocket expenses.
The Lender may collect from the applicant necessary out-of-pocket expenses such as filing or recording fees. Expenses incurred by the lender may be added to the loan balance while SBA's guaranty is outstanding with SBA's approval (except for PLP, LowDoc, and FA$TRAK). For loans sold in the secondary market, they may NOT be added to the loan balance prior to SBA purchasing the guaranty.
Late payment fee.
The Lender may charge the Borrower a late payment fee not to exceed 5 percent of the regular loan payment.
(b) Is the fee mandatory?
i. No, the late fee is optional; and
ii. Lenders may charge less than 5 percent. (c)
When can the lender charge the late fee?
The late fee may be collected if the lender receives a payment more than 10 days after its due date. For example, if the payment is due on the 5th, the lender can collect the late fee if the payment is received on or after the 16th. The lender must not add late fees to the transcript of account submitted by the lender for purchase of the guaranty. The SBA will not be responsible for paying any late fees. If SBA purchases a loan, SBA will permit the lender to collect late fees from the borrower which were owed at the time of purchase, but only AFTER SBA has been paid in full. The lender must apply all scheduled loan payments first to interest and then to principal.
What fees are prohibited?
The Lender may not charge a fee for full or partial prepayment of a loan.
If you have an SBA loan in default, contact us today at 888-756-9969 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.
Clients obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for their small business in the amount of $298,000. They pledged their primary residence and personal guarantees as direct collateral for the loan. The business failed, the lender was paid the 7(a) guaranty money and the debt was assigned to the SBA. Clients received the Official 60-Day Notice giving them a couple of options to resolve the debt balance directly with the SBA before referral to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service. The risk of referral to Treasury would add nearly $95,000 to the SBA principal loan balance. With the default interest rate at 7.5%, the amount of money to pay toward interest was projected at $198,600. Clients hired the Firm with only 4 days left to respond to the 60-Day due process notice. Because the clients were not eligible for an Offer in Compromise (OIC) due to the significant equity in their home and the SBA lien encumbering it, the Firm Attorneys proposed a Structured Workout to resolve the SBA debt. After back and forth negotiations, the SBA Loan Specialist assigned to the case approved the Workout terms which prevented potential foreclosure of their home, but also saved the clients approximately $294,000 over the agreed-upon Workout term with a waiver of all contractual and statutory administrative fees, collection costs, penalties, and interest.
The client personally guaranteed an SBA 504 loan balance of $375,000. Debt had been cross-referred to the Treasury at the time we got involved with the case. We successfully had debt recalled to the SBA where we then presented an SBA OIC that was accepted for $58,000.
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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