Will CEBA be Extended Once Again? Refinancing Advice for Small Business
The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program was established by the Canadian government as a response to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed to provide aid to businesses grappling with the pandemic’s fallout, CEBA offered interest-free loans of up to $60,000. The primary objective was to offer financial relief to small and medium-sized businesses throughout the country. The program also included provisions for loan forgiveness, with a deadline initially set for December 31, 2022. However, due to persistently sluggish economic conditions and the impact of inflation, this forgiveness deadline was subsequently extended to December 31, 2023.
But the question remains: will there be another extension for CEBA? Let’s delve into this matter.
By 2023, nearly 900,000 businesses had benefited from the program, collectively borrowing a total of $49.2 billion. As per the CEBA program’s repayment terms, businesses that meet the loan forgiveness deadline are eligible for a partial loan forgiveness. This forgiveness entails 33% of the borrowed amount, up to $20,000, for the expanded $60,000 loans. For businesses that initially borrowed $40,000 and did not capitalize on the program’s expansion in December 2020, 25% of the original $40,000 (i.e., $10,000) is forgiven.
Considering the initial extension of the loan forgiveness deadline and its subsequent extension, Canadian businesses are now in a waiting mode to ascertain the future course of events: will CEBA experience another extension? Or is it prudent for Canadians to explore alternative sources for loans?
Industries That Leveraged CEBA Loans:
Various industries availed themselves of the CEBA loan program. The program’s criteria were founded on business legitimacy (existence prior to the pandemic) and the necessity for a loan (adverse impact due to the pandemic and obligations for non-deferrable expenses like rent and payroll). However, given the pandemic’s unique impact, specific sectors faced the hardest hit and consequently, had a higher utilization of the CEBA loan program.
Prominent examples include the hospitality industry (including hotels, restaurants, and bars), the arts and entertainment sector, and retail businesses—especially those categorized as non-essential. These sectors endured extended closures due to lockdowns, leading to revenue shortages and an inability to survive without financial assistance. Various sectors bore the brunt of the pandemic, with some facing greater challenges in their recovery efforts. Here are a few sectors that experienced significant impact:
Tourism, Hospitality, and Entertainment: Global travel restrictions and localized lockdowns profoundly affected this sector. Despite the gradual reopening of the world, inflation exerted pressure on profit margins, and shortages in the labor market led to wage increases. While consumer interest in tourism rebounded, the industry still grapples with survival pressures.
Retail: The shift towards online shopping coupled with reduced consumer spending following the pandemic posed substantial challenges to retailers, particularly those with physical stores. Similar to the hospitality sector, inflation and wage shortages affected profitability, while heightened health and safety requirements raised operational costs. These factors continue to reshape retailers’ strategies to align with evolving consumer behavior.
Personal Services: Although personal service businesses like hair salons and gyms experienced a surge in customers post-lockdown, their operations were significantly hampered by the pandemic. The nature of their services disallowed remote work, and given the economic uncertainty, the demand for such services, often considered a luxury, decreased.
Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector grappled with disruptions in global supply chains, affecting both production and distribution. While recovery has begun, ongoing supply chain challenges and shifts in demand pose ongoing hurdles. Like other sectors, manufacturing has been adversely affected by inflation, wage shortages, and commodity prices.
Oil and Gas: This industry encountered challenges even before the pandemic, with reduced demand during lockdowns exacerbating its difficulties.
Why Refinance a CEBA Loan?
Industries as mentioned above may particularly be interested in refinancing or extending their CEBA loans. Industry associations like Restaurants Canada, Tourism Industry Association of Canada, and CFIB have actively advocated for a loan extension.
However, will such an extension take place? The government has not provided clarity on the matter of extending CEBA. In the absence of concrete developments, refinancing presents a strategic option.
Here are a few reasons why businesses might contemplate this approach:
Loan Forgiveness:
A key draw of CEBA loans is the provision for loan forgiveness. Should businesses repay the loan by the forgiveness deadline (December 31, 2023), a portion of the loan is forgiven—33%, up to $20,000 for the $60,000 loans, and $10,000 for the initial $40,000 loans. This write-off alleviates the financial burden of the debt, offering substantial relief.
However, meeting the repayment deadline might pose a challenge, particularly for businesses still grappling with the pandemic’s economic aftermath. Refinancing CEBA loans provides an opportunity to structure loan terms in a way that capitalizes on loan forgiveness, while also gaining flexibility in repaying the remaining loan balance.
The current terms stipulate that the loan converts into a two-year term loan on December 31, 2023, with a 5% interest rate and a balloon payment at the term’s end. Even if subject to a high interest rate, retaining the exact terms of a two-year interest-only term loan with a balloon payment could still prove beneficial.
Nonetheless, many businesses may not meet the criteria for these terms. Initial loans were granted based on legitimacy, and the enforcement of loan terms, including adherence to non-deferrable expense requirements, was not widespread. Lenders may be hesitant to assume significant risk unless business owners possess good personal credit, business assets, or consistent revenue streams. Creditworthy businesses might have a better chance of refinancing CEBA loans with new terms, including longer repayment periods. This approach allows businesses to meet the CEBA loan repayment deadline, avail of loan forgiveness, and repay the new loan over an extended period. This approach could considerably reduce monthly debt service obligations, thus freeing up cash flow for other business needs.
Flexible Repayment Structures and Business Growth:
Businesses may structure new loans to align with their cash flow patterns. For instance, companies with seasonal revenue fluctuations could opt for larger payments during high-revenue months and smaller payments during lean periods. Such flexibility enhances the manageability of debt repayment and reduces the strain on a business’s financial resources.
Refinancing CEBA loans can also empower businesses to focus on growth. By reducing monthly debt repayments, businesses can allocate capital for reinvestment. This could encompass marketing initiatives, adapting to shifting consumer preferences, expanding teams, upgrading equipment, or other growth-related endeavors.
Refinancing may be particularly appealing to businesses with high capital return rates. By refinancing, these entities can continue leveraging capital for amplified returns, facilitating business expansion and greater profitability.
Why Businesses Are Likely to Opt for Loan Refinancing:
Given the advantages outlined above, it’s probable that many businesses will opt for Ceba Loan Refinancing if the forgiveness deadline is not extended. The prospect of benefiting from loan forgiveness, coupled with potentially favorable payment terms, makes refinancing an attractive proposition. The prevailing uncertainty concerning the pandemic’s impact on the economy may compel more businesses to seek refinancing options.
Despite the easing of lockdowns and restrictions, the potential for new waves of the virus and ongoing economic challenges, such as labor shortages, inflation, and supply chain disruptions, sustain an environment of uncertainty. For businesses awaiting the government’s decision on further loan extensions, refinancing offers additional financial maneuverability, aiding them in navigating the evolving economic landscape.
The decision to refinance a Ceba Loan should be guided by consultation with financial advisors or accountants. Each business’s financial circumstances are unique, and what is suitable for one may not align with the needs of another. A professional can offer tailored advice based on factors such as a business’s financial standing, growth prospects, and the terms of both the original CEBA loan and prospective refinancing alternatives.
Conclusion: Will CEBA Be Extended Again?
The question of whether CEBA will experience another extension remains uncertain. However, by comprehending the complexities of the CEBA loan program and recognizing the potential merits of loan refinancing, businesses can make well-informed decisions that support their financial well-being and sustained growth. Nevertheless, it is essential for businesses to seek professional advice well ahead of the deadline, ensuring that they make the most prudent financial choices regarding a loan that was, for many, an indispensable lifeline.
