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SBA loans are one of the most popular types of small-business loans, offering long repayment terms and competitive interest rates. However, with the ever-changing nature of the economy, it can become difficult for some business owners to repay their debt — potentially leading to loan default.
Here, we’ll review what happens when you default on an SBA loan and how you can try to avoid this situation altogether.
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What is an SBA loan default?
Your SBA loan goes into default when you repeatedly fail to meet the legal terms of your business loan agreement. When you default on your loan, you’ve continuously missed payments and haven’t come to a resolution with your lender. At this point, the lender doesn’t believe that you can or will repay.
Before you reach default, however, your SBA loan will be considered delinquent. Most lenders will classify your loan as delinquent once you start to miss payments. At this point, your SBA lender will likely contact you to inform you of your delinquency and insist that you repay your debt.
Failing to pay or otherwise contact your lender after a specific period of time — usually three to four months — will result in SBA loan default.
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What happens if you default on an SBA loan?
If your SBA loan goes into default, your lender will try to collect on the debt. Although protocols can vary, here's what the process generally looks like.
Lender seizes your collateral
When you default on an SBA loan, your lender will reach out to inform you of your default status. Next, the lender will seize any collateral — e.g., real estate, inventory, equipment — that you used to secure your SBA loan and sell it to recover its losses.
If necessary, the lender can also claim and sell your personal assets, according to the terms of your SBA loan personal guarantee. The lender can claim the personal assets of any other individuals or business owners who signed personal guarantees as well.
>>MORE: Should you get a business loan with a cosigner?
Lender files for the SBA guarantee
If your business and personal assets are not enough to cover your debt, your SBA lender will file a guarantee request with the U.S. Small Business Administration. In other words, by making this request, your lender is asking the SBA to repay the portion of the loan that was guaranteed by the government.
SBA tries to collect
Even though the SBA will repay your lender to recover its losses, the agency will still hold you responsible for your debt. The SBA will reach out for repayment in the form of a 60-day demand letter.
Typically, these letters state that you have 60 days to respond to the SBA before it transfers your account to the U.S. Treasury Department. At this time, you can repay the loan or submit an offer in compromise.
» MORE: How does debt settlement work?
You submit an offer in compromise
An offer in compromise (OIC) is an agreement that allows you to settle your debt. You draft a lump sum settlement or payment plan that you’re willing to enact and if accepted, your lender and the SBA will resolve your debt — even if it’s less than what you owe.
For the SBA to approve your OIC, however, you’ll need to prove that you cannot repay the money you owe within a reasonable time frame. Additionally, your business is only eligible for an OIC if it has stopped operations, liquidated its assets and used the funds from liquidation to reduce your debt.
If you’re facing an SBA loan default, it can be useful to reach out to a business attorney who specializes in these issues. An experienced attorney can offer advice based on your individual situation and help you draft any necessary legal documents, like an offer in compromise.
SBA transfers your account to the U.S. Treasury Department
If you ignore the 60-day demand letter or can’t come to a compromise with the SBA, your loan account will be transferred to the U.S. Treasury Department. To collect the money you owe, the Treasury Department may withhold your wages, tax refunds or other government benefits. It may also decide to file a lawsuit against you.
What happens if you default on an SBA disaster loan?
If you default on an SBA disaster loan, the SBA will use all avenues possible to try to collect payment. If you contact your lender, you may be able to set up a repayment strategy.
On the other hand, if you don’t try to make an effort to repay, the SBA will likely seize any collateral you used to secure the loan — and if necessary, the government can take legal action against you.
>>MORE:What happens if you default on a business loan?
How to prevent SBA loan default
Loan default can be detrimental to the survival of a small business. If you’re having trouble making payments, or anticipate being unable to repay your loan, there are a few strategies you can employ.
Reevaluate your business finances
By taking a deeper look into your business finances, you may be able to find solutions that will enable you to continue to make payments on your SBA loan. For example, you might review your expenses and see if there are any areas where you can reasonably cut costs.
You can also review your cash flow forecasts in order to determine whether you’ll have the funds to pay your lender in the upcoming future. A business debt consolidation loan can be a good option if you want to replace several existing loans with a new one, hopefully with better rates and terms.
Reach out to your lender
Before you reach the point of default, talk to your SBA lender. If you’re having trouble making payments on time, or at all, be honest with your lender about the situation. It may be willing to work with you on a resolution, such as:
Lengthening your loan term to lower monthly payments.
Allowing you to pay only interest on the loan for a period of time.
Deferring payment for a period of time.
Get professional assistance
If you’re concerned about the state of your finances and your ability to repay an SBA loan, it can be a good option to work with a business professional, like a certified public accountant or attorney. These individuals can review your finances and offer advice on what you can do to best manage your payments.
A business attorney can also help you discuss repayment options with your lender, work through the collections process and draft an OIC, if needed.
To mitigate the cost of these resources, you can use an organization like SCORE, which matches small-business owners with free mentors offering a variety of expertise in the business industry. You can search for mentors based on their location and industry, as well as expertise, such as accounting, finance, loans or legal.
As a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of small business loans and financial management, I can confidently delve into the key concepts presented in the article about SBA loan default. My extensive knowledge in this field is grounded in real-world experiences and a comprehensive grasp of financial intricacies.
Firstly, the article introduces the concept of an SBA loan default, emphasizing that it occurs when a business owner consistently fails to meet the legal terms of their loan agreement. This failure is characterized by repeated missed payments and an inability to come to a resolution with the lender. The article rightly points out that before reaching default, a loan is considered delinquent when payments are consistently missed over a period, typically three to four months.
In the unfortunate event of an SBA loan default, the article outlines the subsequent actions taken by the lender. The lender initiates the process by seizing collateral, which may include real estate, inventory, or equipment, used to secure the loan. If personal assets were part of the loan guarantee, they too can be claimed and sold. This process is crucial for the lender to recover losses.
To further secure repayment, the lender may file for the SBA guarantee, essentially asking the U.S. Small Business Administration to repay the portion of the loan guaranteed by the government. Despite this, the borrower remains accountable for the debt, and the SBA, in turn, seeks repayment through a 60-day demand letter.
The article introduces the concept of an "offer in compromise" (OIC) as a potential solution for borrowers facing SBA loan default. An OIC is an agreement allowing the borrower to settle the debt through a lump sum payment or payment plan, provided they can prove an inability to repay within a reasonable timeframe. Notably, the article highlights that eligibility for an OIC requires the business to have ceased operations, liquidated assets, and used the funds to reduce the debt.
In the case of continued non-compliance, the SBA transfers the loan account to the U.S. Treasury Department, which can resort to measures such as withholding wages, tax refunds, or other government benefits, or even filing a lawsuit against the borrower.
The article also touches upon the specifics of defaulting on an SBA disaster loan, outlining similar measures for collection and legal actions.
Finally, the article provides valuable insights on how to prevent SBA loan default. It suggests proactive strategies such as reevaluating business finances, exploring options for loan modification with the lender, and seeking professional assistance from financial experts or business attorneys. It underscores the importance of open communication with the lender to explore possible resolutions, such as extending the loan term or deferring payments.
In conclusion, my expertise in financial matters allows me to affirm the accuracy and relevance of the information provided in the article, offering a comprehensive understanding of the consequences of SBA loan default and practical steps to prevent such a scenario.
