Offer In Compromise Settlements - How Much Should I Expect to Settle For?

How much should I expect to settle on with my OIC?

The answer to this is complicated.  It is determined by multiple factors, which I will describe below.

Background: When a borrower who has a bank loan, guaranteed by  the SBA ,  goes into default, the borrower has the option of seeking protection by filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (assuming the borrower is eligible…more on that in another post).  However, the SBA (and the bank, who acts as the SBA’s servicing agent) has the option of allowing the defaulted borrower to make an Offer In Compromise (OIC) in lieu of filing Ch 7 bankruptcy.   The borrower should be aware that an OIC is a PRIVILEGE, not a RIGHT, and the SBA is under no obligation to accept an OIC, and will only do so if the SBA feels it is a good offer, and there is no fraud, concealment or misrepresentation.  How the SBA decides this is frequently confusing, and feels like they use black-magic to figure out, and is very dependent on the individual who is reviewing the file.  However, there are guidelines, as laid out in the SBA SOP.  According to the SBA SOP on OICs,

The compromise amount must bear a reasonable relationship to the amount that could be recovered in a reasonable amount of time through enforced collection proceedings and must be sufficient to protect the integrity of the SBA loan program.

So what does this mean?  Simply put, an acceptable OIC is determined by seven (7) general criteria:

1. Size of the deficiency:

   • The amount of the deficiency is an obvious factor in determining the “settlement”.  However, while there is a belief that the SBA “looks” to obtain a 20% recovery, there is actually no magic percentage that the SBA will accept. That’s because whether the borrower’s deficiency is $150,000 or $1,500,000 is only meaningful in the context of the other criteria – namely,  what can the borrower actually pay?  What are the borrower’s alternatives?

2. Liquidated value of the borrowers assets should the borrower seek protection in Chapter 7 Bankrupcty (BK)

   • This is an obvious alternative to an OIC for the borrower.  This is a calculation that must be done, and is very meaningful to present to the bank and/or SBA.  Should the borrower have limited exposure in a BK filing, that will have an impact on how the SBA views an OIC…but the borrower must keep in mind, that even if they have NO liability in a BK filing, and their personal guarantee would be completely discharged, the SBA may STILL require a significant and substantial OIC settlement amount, based on the Net Worth of the borrower and their ability to pay.

3. Net worth of the borrower if they do NOT seek BK protection.

   • Many defaulted borrowers assume that “exempt” assets do not factor into the SBA’s thinking when it comes to an OIC.  This is not correct.  Even though IRAs and 401Ks are “exempt” from consideration in a BK filing, the SBA will still consider these assets when examining an OIC.  Why?  Because the OIC is a PRIVILEGE…and so in many cases the SBA officer feels like the borrower should dip into their assets – even exempt assets – to demonstrate a good faith OIC.

4. Recovery should the SBA seek wage garnishment over five (5) years

   • The SBA will also consider the earning power of the guarantors.  We recently spoke with a high-powered attorney who was in default on ~$600,000.  The SBA was seeking $300,000 from him, even though if he filed BK his exposure was less than $30,000.  Why?  Because he earned $250,000+ annually.  They figured that if they garnished his wages (which they could do if he didn’t file BK) they would collect $300,000 over five year.  In this case, the SBA guessed wrong – the borrower filed for BK.

5. Borrower’s “desire” to avoid Bankruptcy

   • This is a fuzzy calculation, but I advise my clients that filing a BK has a “hidden” cost.  Operating in the business world is complicated when the borrower files for BK, and these complications can cost real money over the 10 years that a BK is reported on a credit report.  I estimate that the cost is between $75,000 – $125,000.  Stated another way, if the borrower can afford an OIC settlement for less, it is a good idea to settle.  However, if the settlement cost is higher than that, as in the case of the lawyer I mentioned above, then the borrower should seek protection through a BK.

6. Other factors – health, age, unusual circumstances

   • The SBA will take into consideration “other” factors such as age, health, etc.   For example, if a borrower is 65 years old, the hidden cost of a BK is negligible since the value of a clean credit report is meaningless for most people nearing retirement.  Likewise, significant health issues affecting a borrower will influence the SBA’s consideration of an OIC.  Other factors that might influence the SBA would be a sick child, a divorce, or a sudden job loss.

7. Administrative costs

   • This sounds trite, but the SBA and the bank involved are both large, relatively inefficient bureaucratic entities.  As such, they have operating expenses, and for them to turn the wheel of progress and actually process an OIC, the offer must be enough to get them interested.  For a borrower with NO exposure in a BK, NO other collateral, and NO liens on personal property, this figure is relatively modest…maybe as low as $10,000 – $15,000.  If there are liens on personal property, now the bank must expend resources to have these liens removed (legal expenses) which can drive the cost up another $10,000 or more.

In the end, trying to estimate what a defaulted borrower’s OIC settlement cost will be is an exercise based on multiple factors and criteria.  And there is no single answer – every situation is different and unique.