{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony-conviction","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/felony-conviction","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":"felony-conviction","term":"Felony Conviction","aka":"Felony","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A conviction for a serious crime. For SBA loans, any Felony Conviction, or even an indictment, for you or any Principal can make you ineligible for the loan. This is a critical character eligibility requirement.","what_it_means":"The SBA is strict on character. You and all Principals must disclose any Felony Conviction or indictment on SBA Form 1919. Nondisclosure or a recent conviction will lead to a loan denial. Ensure all involved parties are transparent and eligible before committing to a deal.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony-conviction","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":"principals","term":"Principals","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/principals"},{"slug":"form-1919","term":"Form 1919","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-1919"},{"slug":"fraud","term":"Fraud","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fraud"},{"slug":"good-character","term":"Good character","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/good-character"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What if I have a prior felony conviction on my record?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-if-i-have-a-prior-felony-conviction-on-my-record"},{"question":"Will a felony conviction prevent me from getting an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/will-a-felony-conviction-prevent-me-from-getting-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What if an applicant business owner has a recent felony conviction that has been discharged?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-if-an-applicant-business-owner-has-a-recent-felony-conviction-that-has-been-discharge"},{"question":"What is the specific look-back period for an owner's prior felony conviction on SBA Form 1919?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-specific-look-back-period-for-an-owner-s-prior-felony-conviction-on-sba-form-1"},{"question":"When can a criminal record or felony conviction render a borrower ineligible for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-can-a-criminal-record-or-felony-conviction-render-a-borrower-ineligible-for-an-sba-7-"},{"question":"If I have a felony conviction from 15 years ago, am I automatically ineligible for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-i-have-a-felony-conviction-from-15-years-ago-am-i-automatically-ineligible-for-an-sba-7"}]},"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 — Felony Conviction","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony-conviction","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}