{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/asset-approach","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/asset-approach","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":"asset-approach","term":"Asset Approach","aka":"Cost approach","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This is a business valuation method that determines value by summing the fair market value of a business's assets and subtracting its liabilities.","what_it_means":"While useful for capital-intensive businesses, the SBA often prefers the Income Approach for valuing operating businesses, especially when Goodwill is a significant component. The Asset Approach helps verify the underlying tangible value and collateral.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/asset-approach","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":"business-valuation","term":"Business valuation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-valuation"},{"slug":"income-approach","term":"Income Approach","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/income-approach"},{"slug":"collateral","term":"Collateral","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/collateral"},{"slug":"tangible-asset","term":"Tangible asset","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/tangible-asset"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What is the difference between an asset and stock purchase in a buyout?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-difference-between-an-asset-and-stock-purchase-in-a-buyout"},{"question":"How does a recent significant personal asset purchase affect my SBA 7(a) loan application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-a-recent-significant-personal-asset-purchase-affect-my-sba-7-a-loan-application"},{"question":"What if the business I'm buying has intellectual property (e.g., patents, trademarks) as its main asset?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-if-the-business-i-m-buying-has-intellectual-property-e-g-patents-trademarks-as-its-ma"},{"question":"How does an SBA 7(a) loan address the financing of intellectual property as a major business asset?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-an-sba-7-a-loan-address-the-financing-of-intellectual-property-as-a-major-busines"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to purchase a business where goodwill is the primary asset?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-used-to-purchase-a-business-where-goodwill-is-the-primary-asset"},{"question":"When is personal real estate required as additional collateral for a 7(a) loan with a business asset shortfall?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-personal-real-estate-required-as-additional-collateral-for-a-7-a-loan-with-a-busin"}]},"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 — Asset Approach","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/asset-approach","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}