https://starfieldsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/47208d0a-8940-41b8-a518-1f02cd3fa8a9.mp3 As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly accessible, lenders are facing a new and evolving risk landscape when communicating with borrowers following a loan default. Borrowers now have the ability to record, transcribe, analyze, and strategically generate communications using AI-driven platforms. Routine conversations that once carried minimal perceived risk may now become evidence in lender ... Read More

https://starfieldsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/d8309b8f-2f34-4a38-aa7f-8d9e2b607765.mp3 On February 6, 2026, SBA issued Procedural Notice 5000-875051 7(a) Alternative Base Rate Options (the “Notice”), which announced new alternative base rate options for SBA 7(a) loans approved by SBA on or after March 1, 2026. Prior to this Notice, SBA 7(a) variable interest rate loans had two base rate (“Base Rate”) options: the ... Read More

https://starfieldsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/38659c97-02df-431c-92ea-1ffc55ac6bde.mp3 With interest rates at their highest level in over twenty years and other factors in the economy impacting small businesses, more borrowers are having a difficult time meeting their debt service payments on SBA loans that they could easily manage just a few years prior. As a result, more lenders may be seeking guaranty ... Read More

https://starfieldsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/33217301-7064-448b-a9a5-01ce1bc3cec6.mp3 In the past year SBA has instituted several changes to the 7(a) and 504 loan programs’ citizenship and residency requirements to comply with President Trump’s Executive Order 14159 “Protecting the American People Against Invasion”. On February 2, 2026, SBA further revised these requirements via Policy Notice 5000-876441 (the “Policy Notice”), effective March 1, 2026 ... Read More

https://starfieldsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/30274fb4-fc72-40f9-a984-20e7a247ad54.mp3 Real estate secured transactions in Florida generally implicate the imposition of two types of taxes.  The first is an excise tax imposed on obligations to pay money (the “documentary stamp tax”).  §201.08, Fla. Stat.  The second is a nonrecurring tax on intangible personal property levied on obligations for payment of money which are secured ... Read More

https://starfieldsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/670ccc60-2edd-4f16-8f7a-c5200be3d33e.mp3 Effective March 1, 2026, SBA lenders obtaining SBA approval for 7(a) Small Loans must adhere to SBA Procedural Notice 5000-875701 (the “Notice”), published January 16, 2026.  SBA announced it is discontinuing use of the SBSS Score for federally regulated lenders and requires commercial credit analysis processes and procedures consistent with their similarly sized non-SBA guaranteed ... Read More