{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/doing-business-as-name","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/doing-business-as-name","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":"doing-business-as-name","term":"Doing business as name","aka":"DBA name","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is a trade name used by a business that isn't its official legal entity name. You need to ensure all assets and liabilities associated with the DBA are correctly transferred in the sale.","what_it_means":"A business might operate under a \"Doing Business As\" (DBA) name that differs from its official legal entity name (e.g., LLC or Corporation name). During an asset purchase, ensure all contracts, permits, and intellectual property associated with the DBA name are properly assigned to your new legal entity. Confirm the seller has formally registered the DBA in the relevant jurisdictions.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/doing-business-as-name","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"legal-structure","term":"Legal structure","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/legal-structure"},{"slug":"asset-purchase","term":"Asset purchase","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/asset-purchase"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"ucc-filings","term":"UCC filings","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ucc-filings"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can a lender approve a business name change without prior SBA approval for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-lender-approve-a-business-name-change-without-prior-sba-approval-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"When can a lender approve a change in the business name or legal structure without prior SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-can-a-lender-approve-a-change-in-the-business-name-or-legal-structure-without-prior-s"},{"question":"When can a lender approve a business name change without prior SBA approval for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-can-a-lender-approve-a-business-name-change-without-prior-sba-approval-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Can the borrower's business entity be named as the beneficiary for SBA-mandated life insurance, instead of the lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-the-borrower-s-business-entity-be-named-as-the-beneficiary-for-sba-mandated-life-insur"},{"question":"How does an SBA 7(a) loan get its name, \"7(a)\"?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-does-an-sba-7-a-loan-get-its-name-7-a"},{"question":"What does the \"7(a)\" part of an SBA loan name mean?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-does-the-7-a-part-of-an-sba-loan-name-mean"}]},"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 — Doing business as name","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/doing-business-as-name","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}