SBA provides new change-in-ownership guidance for PPP borrowers and lenders

SBA provides new change-in-ownership guidance for PPP borrowers and lenders

Common to most economic downturns is a corresponding increase in the number of mergers and acquisitions. However, the coronavirus pandemic comes with additional complications.

Businesses contemplating a buy or sell side transaction have been uncertain about the treatment of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, including when they need permission from the lenders and/or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to execute such transactions. Sellers with PPP loans don’t want to give up the benefit these loans provide, but buyers don’t want to take on the reputational and economic risks of the PPP loans.

Since the start of the pandemic – and without specific guidance - buyers and sellers have taken different approaches in transactions involving PPP loans. On October 2, the SBA issued a Procedural Notice, providing long-awaited guidance for buyers and sellers in transactions where one or more of the companies has a PPP loan. The guidance may help businesses that want to work through the forgiveness process quickly because of an impending transfer of ownership. Lenders that have been assisting these businesses also may benefit.

Buyers and sellers have learned that there are variations in the way lenders and advisors interpret the language in the PPP loan application on “change of ownership” restrictions.

The new SBA notice defines a change of ownership for purposes of PPP when the following occurs in one or more transactions:

• At least 20 percent of the common stock or other ownership interest of a PPP borrower is sold or otherwise transferred, including to an affiliate or an existing owner of the entity
• The PPP borrower sells or otherwise transfers at least 50 percent of the fair market value of its assets
• A PPP borrower merges with or into another entity

The notice defines the procedures PPP borrowers must follow if they have a change of ownership. PPP borrowers are required to notify the PPP lender in writing of the contemplated transaction and provide the PPP lender with a copy of the proposed agreements or other documents that would generate the proposed transaction.

There are no restrictions on change of ownership if, prior to closing the sale or transfer, the PPP note is fully satisfied.

The SBA considers the note fully satisfied if the PPP borrower has either:

• Repaid the PPP note in full
• Completed the loan forgiveness process in accordance with the PPP requirements and the SBA has remitted funds to the PPP lender in full satisfaction of the PPP note or the PPP borrower has repaid any remaining balance on the PPP loan

When the loan isn’t fully satisfied, PPP lenders may approve the change of ownership without the SBA’s prior approval in the following situations:

• The sale or other transfer is of 50 percent or less of the equity of the PPP borrower taking into consideration all transfers occurring since the PPP loan’s approval date
• For all other changes in ownership, i.e., sale of more than 50 percent of ownership interest, merger, or sale of 50 percent or more of fair market value of assets, the PPP borrower completes a forgiveness application (Form 3508 or 3508EZ) reflecting its use of all the PPP loan proceeds and submits the completed application with supporting documents to the PPP lender, and an interest-bearing escrow account controlled by the PPP lender is established equal to the PPP loan’s outstanding balance. The escrow must allow for the funds to be disbursed first to repay any remaining PPP loan balance plus interest after the forgiveness process is complete

In both situations, the PPP lender must notify the appropriate SBA Loan Servicing Center of the amount and location of the funds in the escrow account, in addition to other new ownership information, within five business days of the transaction’s completion. The SBA’s approval is required if the PPP borrower sells more than 50 percent of its assets or equity and can’t establish an escrow as prescribed. If the SBA’s prior approval is required, the PPP lender must submit the request to the appropriate SBA Loan Servicing Center and include:

• The reason why the loan can’t be fully satisfied, or funds escrowed
• Details of the transaction
• A copy of the executed PPP note
• Any letter of intent and the purchase or sale agreement that defines the responsibilities of the PPP borrower, seller, and buyer
• The buyer’s SBA loan number if it has an existing PPP loan
• A list of all owners of 20 percent or more of the purchasing entity

Finally, the SBA has 60 calendar days to review the completed request and may require additional risk mitigation measures as a condition of its approval of the transaction. For asset sales, SBA approval is conditional on the buyer assuming all the PPP borrower’s obligations under the PPP loan, including responsibility for compliance with the PPP loan terms.

For all equity transactions, whether SBA approval is necessary or not, the PPP borrower will remain subject to all obligations under the PPP loan. The SBA will have recourse against the owners for unauthorized use of PPP funds by the new owners. If any new owners or the successor arising from the transaction has a separate PPP loan, the successor, PPP borrower, and/or the new owners are responsible for segregating and delineating the PPP funds and expenses and providing documentation to demonstrate compliance with the PPP requirements with respect to each PPP loan.

For additional information contact us at info@herbein.com. Article prepared by David Peritz.