{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/conviction","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/conviction","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":"conviction","term":"Conviction","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A conviction is a formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense. Certain criminal convictions can make you ineligible for an SBA loan, so disclosure is critical.","what_it_means":"The SBA requires disclosure of any felony or certain misdemeanor convictions related to financial misconduct (e.g., fraud, embezzlement) within the last five years. Failure to disclose or having a disqualifying conviction will halt your loan application. Be transparent on Form 1919 to avoid issues.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/conviction","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":"fraud","term":"Fraud","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fraud"},{"slug":"embezzlement","term":"Embezzlement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/embezzlement"},{"slug":"felony","term":"Felony","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony"},{"slug":"misdemeanor","term":"Misdemeanor","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/misdemeanor"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What if I have a prior felony conviction on my record?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-if-i-have-a-prior-felony-conviction-on-my-record"},{"question":"Will a felony conviction prevent me from getting an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/will-a-felony-conviction-prevent-me-from-getting-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Will a past criminal conviction prevent me from getting an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/will-a-past-criminal-conviction-prevent-me-from-getting-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What if an applicant business owner has a recent felony conviction that has been discharged?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-if-an-applicant-business-owner-has-a-recent-felony-conviction-that-has-been-discharge"},{"question":"How does a past criminal conviction affect my ability to get an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-does-a-past-criminal-conviction-affect-my-ability-to-get-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Can an arrest record without conviction for a minor offense affect my SBA 7(a) loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-arrest-record-without-conviction-for-a-minor-offense-affect-my-sba-7-a-loan-approva"}]},"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 — Conviction","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/conviction","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}