{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/character","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/character","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":"character","term":"Character","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This refers to the borrower's honesty, integrity, and credit history, a critical factor for SBA loan approval. Lenders assess your willingness and ability to repay debt.","what_it_means":"The SBA emphasizes \"good character\" for all principals. Lenders will scrutinize your personal credit report, criminal background, and any past federal debt. Any derogatory marks, bankruptcies, or felonies can jeopardize your loan approval. Be upfront about any issues.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/character","official_sources":[{"slug":"sba-form-1919","title":"SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":4,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sba-form-1919"},{"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":"good-character","term":"Good character","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/good-character"},{"slug":"fico-score","term":"FICO score","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-score"},{"slug":"credit-report","term":"Credit report","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-report"},{"slug":"federal-debt","term":"Federal Debt","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/federal-debt"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What basic character requirements must business owners meet when applying for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-basic-character-requirements-must-business-owners-meet-when-applying-for-an-sba-7-a-l"},{"question":"How does a lender assess 'good character' for all principals on a 7(a) loan application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-assess-good-character-for-all-principals-on-a-7-a-loan-application"},{"question":"What are the basic character requirements for business owners applying for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-are-the-basic-character-requirements-for-business-owners-applying-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Are there any specific character or background checks for owners applying for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/are-there-any-specific-character-or-background-checks-for-owners-applying-for-an-sba-7-a-l"},{"question":"What types of non-financial character issues (e.g., past legal disputes not criminal) might disqualify me for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-types-of-non-financial-character-issues-e-g-past-legal-disputes-not-criminal-might-di"}]},"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 — Character","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/character","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}