{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony-convictions","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/felony-convictions","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-convictions","term":"Felony Convictions","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"These are convictions for serious crimes, typically punishable by imprisonment for more than a year. They are a critical disqualifier for SBA loan eligibility.","what_it_means":"If you, or any key principal, have a Felony Conviction, it generally makes you ineligible for an SBA loan, with very limited exceptions. The SBA will conduct Background Checks to uncover any such convictions. It's crucial to disclose any past legal issues upfront to your lender, as non-disclosure will lead to an immediate denial.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony-convictions","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"},{"slug":"sba-form-1919","title":"SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":4,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sba-form-1919"}],"related":[{"slug":"background-checks","term":"Background Checks","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/background-checks"},{"slug":"good-character","term":"Good character","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/good-character"},{"slug":"fraud","term":"Fraud","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fraud"},{"slug":"misdemeanor","term":"Misdemeanor","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/misdemeanor"}],"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 a principal has a recent criminal history that is not a felony?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-if-a-principal-has-a-recent-criminal-history-that-is-not-a-felony"},{"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-"}]},"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 Convictions","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony-convictions","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}