{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/de-facto-control","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/de-facto-control","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":"de-facto-control","term":"De facto control","aka":"Actual control","group":"Reading the business","definition":"Exercising actual, practical control over a business despite not holding a majority ownership stake. Buyers should be aware of this dynamic, as it can influence decision-making and business operations.","what_it_means":"De facto control can arise through contractual agreements, family relationships, or significant influence over management, even if an individual owns less than 50%. The SBA scrutinizes control to determine eligibility and identify all key principals who must personally guarantee the loan.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/de-facto-control","official_sources":[{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"},{"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":"controlling-interest","term":"Controlling interest","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/controlling-interest"},{"slug":"key-principal","term":"Key principal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/key-principal"},{"slug":"personal-guarantee","term":"Personal guarantee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-guarantee"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What if a Phase I ESA identifies a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) but deems it a 'de minimis' condition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-if-a-phase-i-esa-identifies-a-recognized-environmental-condition-rec-but-deems-it-a-d"},{"question":"How does the SBA define 'total control' rule to determine affiliation for size standards?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-define-total-control-rule-to-determine-affiliation-for-size-standards"},{"question":"What is the definition of \"control\" for affiliation purposes in a 7(a) loan application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-definition-of-control-for-affiliation-purposes-in-a-7-a-loan-application"},{"question":"How does the SBA determine \"common control\" when assessing affiliation for a management company providing services?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-determine-common-control-when-assessing-affiliation-for-a-management-comp"},{"question":"How does the \"control\" principle trigger affiliation for purposes of determining a business's size standard?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-control-principle-trigger-affiliation-for-purposes-of-determining-a-business-"},{"question":"How does the SBA evaluate a franchise agreement not on the directory for acceptable franchisor control provisions?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-evaluate-a-franchise-agreement-not-on-the-directory-for-acceptable-franch"}]},"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 — De facto control","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/de-facto-control","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}