Forbearance is when a creditworthy borrower faces temporary hardship and is unable to meet their obligations, the lender may decide to refrain from collecting on the debt. Forbearance allows the borrower additional time to repay the debt.
Forbearance can be offered by lenders in a variety of situations, including when a debtor has experienced an illness or injury that prevents them from working, or when they have lost their job and will not return to work for an extended period of time.
When forbearing on a loan, the lender must evaluate whether granting forbearance would improve the chances that they will be repaid in full over time. If forbearance is granted and there is no improvement in repayment likelihood, then it may make more financial sense to restructure or write off the debt.
Lenders that offer forbearance typically require the borrower to make interest payments while they are not required to meet their monthly repayment obligations. The lender may also require a minimum number of monthly payments before releasing the borrower from their obligation to pay back the loan.
Forbearance is an effective tool for helping creditworthy borrowers who have temporarily fallen on hard times, but it should only be offered after careful consideration of whether it will improve repayment likelihood over time. This can help lenders manage risk effectively and prevent future problems with defaulted loans.
Although Forbearance is typically viewed as a short-term solution for borrowers who are facing temporary financial hardship, there are some cases where forbearance can help creditworthy borrowers improve their credit score. For example, borrowers who miss payments may be able to rehabilitate their borrower profiles by making on-time repayments for a period of time and proving that they are capable of servicing debt obligations in the future.
Many lenders offer forbearance as an option for borrowers, but it is important to understand the impact that forbearance can have on your financial situation before deciding whether or not to apply for this type of relief. Speak with an authorized Americor professional to learn more. This can help you make informed decisions about how best to meet your financial obligations while minimizing the risk of future default.
