{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-decision","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/credit-decision","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":"credit-decision","term":"Credit Decision","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"This is the lender's final determination on whether to approve your loan application. It's based on their assessment of your creditworthiness and the business's financial health.","what_it_means":"The credit decision is a critical milestone in your acquisition process. It comes after extensive underwriting and due diligence. A positive decision means you've secured financing, but it's still subject to final closing conditions.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-decision","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"underwriting","term":"Underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting"},{"slug":"creditworthiness","term":"Creditworthiness","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/creditworthiness"},{"slug":"eligibility-criteria","term":"Eligibility Criteria","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-criteria"},{"slug":"personal-financial-statement","term":"Personal financial statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-financial-statement"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Which individuals must complete SBA Form 413 and how does it inform credit decisions?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/which-individuals-must-complete-sba-form-413-and-how-does-it-inform-credit-decisions"},{"question":"Who actually makes the decision to approve or deny an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/who-actually-makes-the-decision-to-approve-or-deny-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Does the SBA directly approve my loan, or does a bank make the final decision?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-directly-approve-my-loan-or-does-a-bank-make-the-final-decision"},{"question":"Who actually makes the decision to approve or deny my SBA 7(a) loan application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/who-actually-makes-the-decision-to-approve-or-deny-my-sba-7-a-loan-application"},{"question":"Can a lender appeal an SBA decision to repair or deny a guaranty purchase request?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-lender-appeal-an-sba-decision-to-repair-or-deny-a-guaranty-purchase-request"},{"question":"Who makes the final decision on whether my SBA 7(a) loan is approved or denied?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/who-makes-the-final-decision-on-whether-my-sba-7-a-loan-is-approved-or-denied"}]},"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 — Credit Decision","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-decision","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}