How Do I Pay My SBA Loan?
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You have several options for paying your SBA loan. Depending on your loan type, you can make payments online, by mail, or by phone.
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Introduction
The first step in paying your SBA loan is understanding the type of loan you have and the best way to pay it back. The two most common types of SBA loans are 7(a) loans and 504 loans. 7(a) loans are the most common type of SBA loan and can be used for a variety of purposes, including working capital, equipment, and real estate. 504 loans are less common but are specifically for funding major fixed assets, such as real estate or machinery.
Once you know the type of loan you have, you can begin to explore repayment options. The standard repayment term for an SBA 7(a) loan is 10 years, but terms may be as short as 2 years or as long as 25 years depending on the purpose of the loan. For 504 loans, the maximum repayment term is 20 years. You will also need to decide if you want a variable or fixed interest rate—with a variable rate, your payments may change over time based on market conditions; with a fixed rate, your payments will stay the same throughout the life of the loan.
Once you have an understanding of your loan terms, you can begin to consider how you will make your payments. If you have a 7(a) loan with a standard 10-year repayment term, you will need to make 120 monthly payments. If you have a 504 loan with a 20-year repayment term, you will need to make 240 monthly payments. You can make these payments yourself or set up automatic payments through your bank or lender.
If you are struggling to make your monthly loan payments, there are options available to help. The SBA offers several programs to assist borrowers who are having difficulty making their payments, including deferment and forbearance programs. You may also be able to modify your repayment terms through programs like income-based repayment or extended payment plans. These options can help make your monthly payments more manageable and help you avoid default on your loan.
How to Make an SBA Loan Payment
The best way to make an SBA loan payment is to do so electronically through the SBA’s Electronic Reporting and Payment System (ERPS). You can also make payments by check or money order.
ERPS is a free, online service that allows you to make payments on your SBA loan as well as track the status of your loan. To make a payment through ERPS, you will need to have your 10-digit SBA loan number and either your bank account information or a credit or debit card.
If you prefer to pay by check or money order, you can do so by sending your payment to the address listed on your most recent billing statement. Be sure to include your 10-digit SBA loan number on the check or money order.
SBA Loan Payment Options
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government agency that provides financial assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. One way the SBA helps small businesses is by guaranteeing loans from approved lenders, making it easier for business owners to get the financing they need.
If you have an SBA-backed loan, you will need to make regular loan payments to your lender. The SBA does not directly lend money to small businesses; instead, they guarantee a portion of the loan amount, which protects the lender if the borrower defaults on the loan.
Depending on your lender and loan terms, you may have different options for making your SBA loan payments. Here are some of the most common payment options:
-Automatic debit: Many lenders will allow you to set up automatic payments from your business checking account. This can help you stay on top of your payments and avoid any late fees or penalties.
-Online bill pay: If your business has online banking set up, you may be able to use this feature to make your SBA loan payments. Check with your lender to see if this is an option.
-Mail: You can also send in your SBA loan payment by mail. Be sure to use the address provided by your lender and allow enough time for your payment to reach them before the due date.
-In person: Some lenders may have branches or offices where you can make your loan payment in person. This can be a convenient option if you live or work near one of their locations.
Whatever payment option you choose, be sure to make your payments on time to avoid any late fees or penalties from your lender. If you are having trouble making your loan payments, contact your lender as soon as possible to discuss other options such as deferment or forbearance
SBA Loan Payment Grace Period
You may be wondering how you’re going to make your SBA loan payments, and if there’s a grace period.
The answer is that there is a six-month grace period for repaying an SBA loan. This means that you won’t have to make any payments for the first six months after you receive your loan.
However, interest will accrue during this time, so you’ll want to be sure to factor that into your budget. You can make interest-only payments during the grace period, or you can choose to defer all payments until after the grace period ends.
Once the grace period ends, you’ll be required to make monthly principal and interest payments on your loan. Your payment will be due on the first of each month, and you’ll have 25 years to repay your loan in full.
If you have any questions about how your SBA loan will work, or if you need help budgeting for your loan payments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help!
What to Do If You Can’t Make an SBA Loan Payment
If you have an SBA loan and you can’t make your payments, it’s important to contact your lender right away. There are a number of options available to help you get back on track, but the sooner you reach out, the better.
One option may be to defer your payments for a period of time. This means that you don’t have to make any payments for a set period, typically 6 months. After that, you’ll need to start making payments again, but they will be spread out over a longer period of time so that they’re more manageable.
Another option is to modify your loan terms. This could involve extending the length of your loan so that you have more time to pay it off, or changing the interest rate so that your payments are lower.
If neither of these options is feasible, you may need to consider upsizing your loan. This means taking out a new, larger loan in order to pay off the existing one. This can be a good option if interest rates have dropped since you originally took out your loan.
Whatever option you choose, it’s important to stay in communication with your lender and let them know what’s going on. They may be able to offer additional assistance or advice based on your unique situation.
Conclusion
We hope this article was helpful in explaining how to pay your SBA loan. As always, feel free to reach out to our team of experts if you have any further questions.