{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/character-review","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/character-review","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-review","term":"Character review","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is the lender's assessment of your integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness. It's a subjective but critical part of the SBA loan approval process.","what_it_means":"The SBA requires lenders to assess the character of all principals. This involves reviewing your credit history, background check results, and responses on Form 1919 regarding any past legal or financial issues. Be transparent and provide complete explanations for any potential red flags to build trust with the lender.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/character-review","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":"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"}],"related":[{"slug":"background-check","term":"Background check","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/background-check"},{"slug":"credit-history","term":"Credit history","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-history"},{"slug":"form-1919","term":"Form 1919","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-1919"},{"slug":"good-character","term":"Good character","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/good-character"}],"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"},{"question":"What is the typical timeframe for SBA loan application review by the lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-typical-timeframe-for-sba-loan-application-review-by-the-lender"}]},"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 review","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/character-review","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}