We help people who need to avoid SBA loan default by advising about solutions to various SBA loan problems including SBA loan foreclosure.
Book a Consultation CallThe attorneys in our office want to help you figure out your SBA situation. No matter how difficult your circumstances may seem, the right lawyer can assist you. We understand that you probably have questions regarding a wide range of issues, including how to respond to an SBA demand letter, what SBA loan foreclosure actually entails, and what a tax offset program is. One of our specialists can tell you about all of these topics and more. We urge you to read our blog to learn more about subjects that are confusing to you and to contact us right away if you have specific questions. We look forward to working with you during this period of your life.
While a loan is classified in regular servicing status, it is housed in one of the SBA's two Commercial Loan Service Centers (CLSC) – either Fresno or Little Rock. The process begins when the SBA is notified by the appropriate CLSC that workout is not feasible and liquidation is necessary, the loan is then shipped to the National Guaranty Purchase Center (NGPC) logged in, and classified as in liquidation and then housed awaiting reports and status updates as to action taken commensurate to the loan. The loans are not assigned to any staff member and this Center handles most necessary actions by specialized teams. The NGPC will acknowledge the notification and the Lender will be expected to continue to service this account and completely liquidate or sue upon any loan instrument. The Lender is required to pursue the entire indebtedness regardless of the guaranteed percentage or any purchase thereof. Also note that SBA requires all lenders to make timely site visits to assess the value and take an inventory of loan collateral in order to assess workout possibilities and to develop a meaningful liquidation plan.
2. SBA Loan Management: Primary oversight will be centered around the guaranty purchase review process, timely quarterly updates, and through the thorough review of liquidation wrap-up reports which Lenders must submit to SBA at the completion of liquidation. Secondarily, SBA will monitor debt collection litigation, such as judicial foreclosures, bankruptcy proceedings and other state and federal insolvency proceedings, through the review of litigation plans when applicable and required by circumstances.
Key actions:
1. Guaranty purchase. This includes a detailed review of all origination, servicing, and liquidation actions to ensure that the loan was handled properly; this is done using the Guaranty Purchase 10 Tabs.
2. CPC Expenses. After the loan has been purchased, if there are liquidation expenses that are incurred the lender would be able to submit for reimbursement using CPC tabs.
3. Offer in Compromise. Typically at the culmination of the liquidation of all business and other worthwhile assets, and OIC is the process used to evaluate a monetary offer in exchange for the release of a personal guaranty on the loan. An Offer in Compromise is an action that requires SBA’s expressed written consent and may be submitted to SBA using the OIC Tabs.
4. Quarterly Updates. Once a loan has been purchased, SBA requires a simple update on a quarterly basis for every loan in liquidation status. This report should include the current actions being taken on the loan.
5. Charge off. Once all liquidation is complete and no further recoveries are expected the loan can then be charged off. This is done by the lender submitting a final wrap up report to SBA.
6. Referral to the US Treasury Offset Program Once the loan has been charged off by SBA, if there are any parties that are eligible (provided they have not been discharged from bankruptcy and/or they were not released as part of an Offer in Compromise) they will be referred to the U.S. Treasury Offset Program for further collection. Once this takes place the servicing of the loan shifts from the lender to Treasury or their fee agents. If any recoveries are received they will be shared with the lender, based on the guaranty rate, and the lender’s share will be forwarded to them (less any expenses incurred by Treasury).
If you'd like to learn more about the options you have for your SBA loan, call for a case evaluation at 1-888-756-9969.
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.
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.
Clients obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $324,000 to buy a small business and its facility. The business and real estate had an appraisal value of $318,000 at the time of purchase. The business ultimately failed but the participating lender abandoned the business equipment and real estate collateral even though it had valid security liens. As a result, the lender recouped nearly nothing from the pledged collateral, leaving the business owners liable for the deficiency balance. The SBA paid the lender the 7(a) guaranty money and was assigned ownership of the debt, including the right to collect. However, the clients never received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and were denied the opportunity to negotiate an Offer in Compromise (OIC) or a Workout directly with the SBA before being transferred to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service, which added an additional $80,000 in collection fees. Treasury garnished and offset the clients' wages, federal salary and social security benefits. When the clients tried to negotiate with Treasury by themselves, they were offered an unaffordable repayment plan which would have caused severe financial hardship. Clients subsequently hired the Firm to litigate an Appeals Petition before the SBA Office & Hearings Appeals (OHA) challenging the legal enforceability and amount of the debt. The Firm successfully negotiated a term OIC that was approved by the SBA Office of General Counsel, saving the clients approximately $205,000.
Our firm successfully resolved an SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) default in the amount of $150,000 on behalf of Illinois-based client. After the business permanently closed due to the economic impacts of the pandemic, the owners faced potential personal liability if the business collateral was not liquidated properly under the SBA Security Agreement.
We guided the client through the SBA’s Business Closure Review process, prepared a comprehensive financial submission, and negotiated directly with the SBA to release the collateral securing the loan. The borrower satisfied their collateral obligations with a payment of $2,075, resolving the SBA’s security interest.