What the SBA’s 43% Workforce Reduction Could Mean for Your SBA Loan in 2025
Defaulting on a SBA loan with the Trump Administration's reduction in SBA staff will impact your chances for resolution. Learn about the impact and how to protect yourself.
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 consultation.
You signed a personal guarantee for an SBA loan, either a limited or unlimited guarantee. You've had a falling out with your business partners and you want out of the guarantee. Do you have any options?
Yes, you can be released from the guarantee or substitute in another guarantor with the following considerations:
(1) The status of the loan. It should be current in all respects without a history of unjustified delinquencies, unpaid taxes, or deferment of installments.
(2) Written requests. The field office must have a written request from the borrower, the guarantor to be released, or the proposed substitute.
(3) Consent of other parties. The written consent of all parties (e.g., other guarantors, standby creditors, etc.) must be obtained before the transaction is finalized.
(4) Opinion of counsel. You must obtain the opinion of SBA counsel showing that no legal rights of the Agency will be adversely affected.
(5) Sale or reorganization. Where a request is received for the release of a guarantor because of reorganization or sale of the firm, you must provide full information as to the terms and conditions of the proposed transaction. The SBA must take care to ensure that the guarantor's position is not improved at the expense of SBA, or that a possible loss to the guarantor is not passed on to the Agency. The guarantor should not be permitted to substitute SBA for his or her ownership position
(6) Evaluation of substitute guarantors. Before the SBA can recommend accepting a substitute guarantor in place of the original, the SBA will analyze/compare the values of the guarantors. The borrower must furnish personal financial statements and any other information satisfactory to the approving official.
If you can make it through the SBA gauntlet it is possible to be released from your guarantee. If you are facing this or other SBA loan problems, please contact us at 888-756-9969 for a consultation.
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 $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.

Clients' 7(a) loan was referred to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service for enforced collection in 2015. They not only personally guaranteed the loan, but also pledged their primary residence as additional collateral. One of the clients filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy thinking that it would discharge the SBA 7(a) lien encumbering their home. They later discovered that they were mistakenly advised. The Firm was subsequently hired to review their case and defend against a series of collection actions. Eventually, we were able to negotiate a structured workout for $180,000 directly with the SBA, saving them approximately $250,000 (by reducing the default interest rate and removing Treasury's substantial collection fees) and from possible foreclosure.

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.