{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-review","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/credit-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":"credit-review","term":"Credit review","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This is a lender's process of evaluating both your personal creditworthiness and the target business's financial health. It determines if you and the business are likely to repay the loan, which is essential for loan approval.","what_it_means":"Lenders will pull your personal credit report and FICO score, and analyze the business's historical financial data, cash flow, and overall leverage. Be prepared to provide accurate financial statements and address any derogatory marks or liabilities early on.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-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"}],"related":[{"slug":"credit-report","term":"Credit report","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-report"},{"slug":"fico-score","term":"FICO score","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-score"},{"slug":"historical-financial-data","term":"Historical financial data","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/historical-financial-data"},{"slug":"repayment-capacity","term":"Repayment capacity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/repayment-capacity"}],"related_questions":[{"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"},{"question":"How thoroughly does the SBA review the business valuation report provided by the lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-thoroughly-does-the-sba-review-the-business-valuation-report-provided-by-the-lender"},{"question":"Is an environmental review needed if my SBA 7(a) loan includes real estate?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-an-environmental-review-needed-if-my-sba-7-a-loan-includes-real-estate"},{"question":"What specific elements of a franchise agreement does the SBA review to determine eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-elements-of-a-franchise-agreement-does-the-sba-review-to-determine-eligibili"},{"question":"What specific environmental review is required for commercial real estate included in an SBA loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-specific-environmental-review-is-required-for-commercial-real-estate-included-in-an-s"},{"question":"What specific due diligence is required for an unlisted franchise agreement lacking SBA formal review?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-due-diligence-is-required-for-an-unlisted-franchise-agreement-lacking-sba-fo"}]},"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 review","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-review","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}