{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-score","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/fico-score","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":"fico-score","term":"FICO score","group":"Reading the business","definition":"Your FICO score is a three-digit number summarizing your credit risk. Lenders use it to assess your creditworthiness and likelihood of repaying a loan.","what_it_means":"For an SBA 7(a) loan, your personal FICO score is a critical factor in the lender's evaluation of your creditworthiness. A strong score demonstrates responsible financial behavior and increases your chances of loan approval; a low score can raise red flags.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-score","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"}],"related":[{"slug":"credit-report","term":"Credit report","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-report"},{"slug":"creditworthiness","term":"Creditworthiness","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/creditworthiness"},{"slug":"derogatory-mark","term":"Derogatory mark","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/derogatory-mark"},{"slug":"personal-financial-statement","term":"Personal financial statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-financial-statement"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What credit score is generally needed for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-credit-score-is-generally-needed-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Does the SBA check my personal credit score directly when I apply?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-check-my-personal-credit-score-directly-when-i-apply"},{"question":"Are there any minimum credit score requirements for SBA 7(a) loan applicants?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/are-there-any-minimum-credit-score-requirements-for-sba-7-a-loan-applicants"},{"question":"Does my personal credit score matter for an SBA 7(a) loan application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-my-personal-credit-score-matter-for-an-sba-7-a-loan-application"},{"question":"Does my personal credit score matter for getting an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-my-personal-credit-score-matter-for-getting-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What personal credit score do I need for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-personal-credit-score-do-i-need-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"}]},"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 — FICO score","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-score","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}