Can I Use an SBA Loan to Pay Off Personal Debt?
Can I use an SBA loan to pay off personal debt? Read further to discover how you can and can't use your SBA loan funds.
We will analyze your SBA loan problems and advise you on potential solutions such as an SBA offer in compromise for your SBA loan default.
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 consultation.
Patrick Clark of www.BloombergBusiness.com recently wrote an article critical of SBA lending to franchises based on a report by the Service Employees International Union, the labor group that’s been fighting to raise pay for fast-food workers. Clark notes that default rates for franchises hovers around 20%.
Clark writes "John Reynolds, president of the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation, says the union was “cherry-picking” data, and that the focus should be on the tens of thousands of franchisees who used SBA loans to successfully expand their businesses and add jobs to the U.S. economy. “I think [the SEIU] have an agenda that’s focused around casting doubt or criticism on the fundamentals of the franchise model..."
Based on Protect Law Group's research and analysis, a 20% failure rate seems accurate. It has been well documented that certain franchises, such as Quiznos, have extremely high default rates. In our discussions with SBA lenders, a franchise is often a very rough road. For a small operator 80 hour weeks for $50,000 per year is a common life for a franchise owner of even a trusted brand such as Subway. The franchise fees, costs of buying supplies from franchisors, and lack of freedom often hamstring small franchisees. Larger franchisees who can operate multiple stores are often more successful.
Protect Law Group has helped dozens of failed franchisees settle their SBA related debt. We provide an in depth study of a particular franchise's default rates, the reason why and apply those facts and analysis to help our clients obtain a satisfactory compromise with the SBA.
You can read the complete article here.
If you are facing an SBA loan default, contact us today for a consultation with an experienced SBA workout attorney at 888-756-9969.
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 personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan balance of over $300,000. Clients also pledged their homes as additional collateral. SBA OIC accepted $87,000 with the full lien release against the home.

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. The 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 our SBA lawyers also saved him approximately $227,945 over the term of the workout.

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.