{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/deferment-of-payments","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/deferment-of-payments","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"deferment-of-payments","term":"Deferment of Payments","group":"The loan itself","definition":"This is a temporary pause in your loan payments, usually granted during financial hardship. While it sounds appealing, it's rare for an acquisition loan and typically only offered in severe, unforeseen circumstances.","what_it_means":"Do not plan on a deferment as part of your acquisition strategy; SBA loans require consistent repayment. If your business faces unexpected distress post-acquisition, you might discuss this with your lender, but it's a last resort to avoid loan default. Interest usually continues to accrue during deferment.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/deferment-of-payments","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"loan-default","term":"Loan default","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-default"},{"slug":"principal-and-interest","term":"Principal and interest","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/principal-and-interest"},{"slug":"amortization","term":"Amortization","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/amortization"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can a 7(a) lender approve a deferment of principal and interest payments without prior SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-7-a-lender-approve-a-deferment-of-principal-and-interest-payments-without-prior-sba-"},{"question":"Can a lender approve a deferment of payments for a 7(a) loan without prior SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-lender-approve-a-deferment-of-payments-for-a-7-a-loan-without-prior-sba-approval"},{"question":"How does the SBA handle a short-term deferral of principal payments at the start?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-handle-a-short-term-deferral-of-principal-payments-at-the-start"},{"question":"What is the significance of the \"90-day rule\" regarding equity injection and prior payments?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-significance-of-the-90-day-rule-regarding-equity-injection-and-prior-payments"},{"question":"Can a lender approve a deferment period without prior SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-lender-approve-a-deferment-period-without-prior-sba-approval"},{"question":"If a seller note is structured with deferred principal payments but immediate interest payments, does it still qualify as full standby?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-a-seller-note-is-structured-with-deferred-principal-payments-but-immediate-interest-pay"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Deferment of Payments","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/deferment-of-payments","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}