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What Happens When I Default on a Business Loan? |
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What does it mean to default on a loan?
A loan default is the failure to meet the financial obligations indicated in the loan agreement that is signed by you and your lender. Often, a loan default translates into the business owner's inability to pay their debts on time. Due to the differences in each loan agreement, default penalties vary. However, the effects of defaulting on the loan fall into two general categories- immediate repercussions and future implications for both you and your business. Increased interest rates. Your business interest rates (and possibly your personal interest rates) may increase if your credit score dips. Depending on your loan agreement, a higher interest rate could affect the loans that you currently have, as well as future loans you plan to seek. Foreclosure or seizing of property and collateral. Foreclosure may be the most severe repercussion due to a loan default, allowing lenders to recuperate losses from loan defaults. In this situation, your lender will have the full right to take control and ownership of your property and collateral that you have included in your contract. They normally will sell your property privately or by a public auction, depending on the profit margin. What steps should I take next? Negotiate terms with your lender. If you default, you can try renegotiating the terms of your loan contract with your lender. While lenders may not always be willing to renegotiate, if you are successful you can minimize the damage to your business's financial health. Ways to reduce the negative impacts of the loan default include:
Consider government debt relief options. There are some government-backed options for managing debt that you can consider, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), ARC Loan Program. and SBA Loan Program. Read more about Managing Small Business Debt through Government Loans and Refinancing Lifelines here. Cut costs. Minimize your expenses. Though this may not be an ideal situation, you can consider laying off part of your staff and downsizing your business, among others. Sell business assets. Liquidating business assets or converting your assets into cash may temporarily help you pay off your loans until you can afford to pay your bills on time again. Consult a lawyer. Consulting a lawyer about your options may also help you through the process. Learn how to find legal representation for your small business here.
What does this mean for the future of my business?
Bankruptcy. If your business cannot repay its loans, you may need to file for bankruptcy. Read more about filing for bankruptcy on our blog Bankruptcy Options for Small Business Owners.
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