{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/delegated-lender","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/delegated-lender","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":"delegated-lender","term":"Delegated Lender","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A Delegated Lender is authorized by the SBA to make loan decisions without direct SBA review, streamlining the approval process. This often means a faster path to closing for your 7(a) loan.","what_it_means":"The most common type is a Preferred Lender (PLP). Working with a Delegated Lender can significantly reduce the time from application to SBA Credit Approval. They still must follow all SBA rules, but they have the authority to issue the SBA Loan Authorization themselves. These lenders have demonstrated expertise and a strong track record.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/delegated-lender","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":"plp-lender","term":"PLP lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/plp-lender"},{"slug":"sba-credit-approval","term":"SBA Credit Approval","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-credit-approval"},{"slug":"non-delegated-lender","term":"Non-Delegated Lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/non-delegated-lender"},{"slug":"sba-loan-authorization","term":"SBA Loan Authorization","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-loan-authorization"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What collateral servicing actions require prior SBA approval versus those delegated to the lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-collateral-servicing-actions-require-prior-sba-approval-versus-those-delegated-to-the"},{"question":"What factors allow a lender to use their delegated authority (e.g., Preferred Lender status) to speed up SBA loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-factors-allow-a-lender-to-use-their-delegated-authority-e-g-preferred-lender-status-t"},{"question":"What types of lenders offer SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-types-of-lenders-offer-sba-7-a-loans"},{"question":"Do certain types of lenders process SBA 7(a) loans faster?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/do-certain-types-of-lenders-process-sba-7-a-loans-faster"},{"question":"How is a lender's 'SBA Preferred Lender' status beneficial for the borrower?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-is-a-lender-s-sba-preferred-lender-status-beneficial-for-the-borrower"},{"question":"Why do lenders typically prefer larger amounts for SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/why-do-lenders-typically-prefer-larger-amounts-for-sba-7-a-loans"}]},"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 — Delegated Lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/delegated-lender","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}