{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cap","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/cap","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":"cap","term":"Cap","group":"The loan itself","definition":"A cap is an upper limit, often referring to the maximum interest rate that can be charged on a variable-rate loan. It protects you from excessive rate increases.","what_it_means":"For a 7(a) loan with a variable interest rate, your loan authorization will specify a cap on how high the rate can go. This is a critical protection for your debt service, as it sets the worst-case scenario for your monthly payments. Understand both the initial spread and any caps on your rate.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cap","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"},{"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"}],"related":[{"slug":"variable-rate","term":"Variable rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/variable-rate"},{"slug":"spread","term":"Spread","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/spread"},{"slug":"wsj-prime","term":"WSJ Prime","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/wsj-prime"},{"slug":"loan-agreement","term":"Loan agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-agreement"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How is the interest rate cap determined for a variable rate 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-is-the-interest-rate-cap-determined-for-a-variable-rate-7-a-loan"},{"question":"How does an SBA 7(a) loan typically handle seasonal businesses for repayment capacity?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-an-sba-7-a-loan-typically-handle-seasonal-businesses-for-repayment-capacity"},{"question":"Are there caps on the interest rates lenders can charge for SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/are-there-caps-on-the-interest-rates-lenders-can-charge-for-sba-7-a-loans"},{"question":"How does the SBA ensure that lenders adhere to specific interest rate caps on 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-ensure-that-lenders-adhere-to-specific-interest-rate-caps-on-7-a-loans"},{"question":"For a seller note on full standby, is it permissible for the accrued interest to capitalize or compound during the SBA 7(a) loan term?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/for-a-seller-note-on-full-standby-is-it-permissible-for-the-accrued-interest-to-capitalize"},{"question":"Are there specific limits on the amount of working capital that can be included in a 7(a) Working Capital Pilot Program loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/are-there-specific-limits-on-the-amount-of-working-capital-that-can-be-included-in-a-7-a-w"}]},"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 — Cap","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cap","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}