{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/approved-lender","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/approved-lender","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":"approved-lender","term":"Approved lender","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A financial institution authorized by the SBA to originate, underwrite, and service 7(a) loans. These are the only banks that can make SBA-guaranteed loans.","what_it_means":"You must work with an Approved Lender to secure an SBA 7(a) loan. They handle the entire application process and ensure compliance with SBA rules. Look for lenders with experience in business acquisition loans and a strong understanding of your industry.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/approved-lender","official_sources":[{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"},{"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":"7a-loan","term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"slug":"plp-lender","term":"PLP lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/plp-lender"},{"slug":"underwriting","term":"Underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What resources are available to help me find an SBA-approved lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-resources-are-available-to-help-me-find-an-sba-approved-lender"},{"question":"How can I find an SBA-approved lender to apply for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-can-i-find-an-sba-approved-lender-to-apply-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"How quickly can an SBA 7(a) loan be approved if my lender is a Preferred Lender Program (PLP) participant?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-quickly-can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-approved-if-my-lender-is-a-preferred-lender-program-plp"},{"question":"When a variable rate 7(a) loan is approved, how frequently can the lender adjust the interest rate?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-a-variable-rate-7-a-loan-is-approved-how-frequently-can-the-lender-adjust-the-interes"},{"question":"How long should I typically wait for a definitive 'approved' or 'denied' response after my lender submits the complete package?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-long-should-i-typically-wait-for-a-definitive-approved-or-denied-response-after-my-len"},{"question":"How quickly can I get approved for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-quickly-can-i-get-approved-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"}]},"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 — Approved lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/approved-lender","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}