{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/payment-deferment","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/payment-deferment","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":"payment-deferment","term":"Payment Deferment","group":"The loan itself","definition":"A temporary pause or reduction in loan payments, typically granted by the lender under specific circumstances like economic hardship. Interest usually continues to accrue.","what_it_means":"While not automatic, you might be able to negotiate a payment deferment with your lender if the business faces unexpected short-term cash flow issues after acquisition. Understand that deferment is a temporary measure and typically adds to the total interest paid over the loan term.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/payment-deferment","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-agreement","term":"Loan agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-agreement"},{"slug":"non-payment-clause","term":"Non-Payment Clause","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/non-payment-clause"},{"slug":"deferred-principal-payment","term":"Deferred Principal Payment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/deferred-principal-payment"},{"slug":"interest-only-payment","term":"Interest-Only Payment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/interest-only-payment"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can a lender extend the payment deferment period on a 7(a) loan without prior SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-lender-extend-the-payment-deferment-period-on-a-7-a-loan-without-prior-sba-approval"},{"question":"When can a lender approve a short-term deferment or modification of a 7(a) loan's payment terms without prior SBA consent?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-can-a-lender-approve-a-short-term-deferment-or-modification-of-a-7-a-loan-s-payment-t"},{"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":"Can a lender approve a deferment period for my SBA 7(a) loan without SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-lender-approve-a-deferment-period-for-my-sba-7-a-loan-without-sba-approval"},{"question":"When can a lender approve a deferment period for a 7(a) loan without prior SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-can-a-lender-approve-a-deferment-period-for-a-7-a-loan-without-prior-sba-approval"},{"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-"}]},"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 — Payment Deferment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/payment-deferment","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}