{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/co-borrowers","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/co-borrowers","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":"co-borrowers","term":"Co-Borrowers","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"Individuals who jointly apply for and are equally responsible for repaying the loan. For a small business acquisition, this usually means all active owners.","what_it_means":"If you're buying a business with partners, you'll likely all be co-borrowers, sharing equal responsibility for the SBA loan. This means your creditworthiness and financial health are all under scrutiny. Ensure all co-borrowers understand their full liability and complete Form 1919 accurately.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/co-borrowers","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":"co-guarantors","term":"Co-Guarantors","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/co-guarantors"},{"slug":"key-principal","term":"Key principal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/key-principal"},{"slug":"form-1919","term":"Form 1919","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-1919"},{"slug":"personal-guarantee","term":"Personal guarantee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-guarantee"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How are SBA 7(a) loan interest rates determined for borrowers?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-are-sba-7-a-loan-interest-rates-determined-for-borrowers"},{"question":"What fees do borrowers pay directly to the SBA for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-fees-do-borrowers-pay-directly-to-the-sba-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Is the SBA like a co-signer for my business loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-the-sba-like-a-co-signer-for-my-business-loan"},{"question":"What happens if a major co-owner or guarantor has a recent bankruptcy on their personal credit?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-happens-if-a-major-co-owner-or-guarantor-has-a-recent-bankruptcy-on-their-personal-cr"},{"question":"What impact does a co-signer on my personal guaranty have on the SBA 7(a) loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-impact-does-a-co-signer-on-my-personal-guaranty-have-on-the-sba-7-a-loan-approval"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to purchase a business that is structured as a co-op?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-used-to-purchase-a-business-that-is-structured-as-a-co-op"}]},"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 — Co-Borrowers","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/co-borrowers","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}