{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/governing-document","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/governing-document","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":"governing-document","term":"Governing Document","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is the legal paperwork (e.g., operating agreement, bylaws, trust agreement) that defines how a business or entity is structured and managed. Lenders review it to understand ownership and authority.","what_it_means":"For any entity involved in the loan (your buying entity, the seller's entity if it's a stock purchase, or any trust), the lender will require its Governing Document. This confirms who has authority to sign for the business, the ownership structure, and any restrictions. Ensure these are up-to-date and accurate before closing.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/governing-document","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":"trust-or-estate","term":"Trust or Estate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/trust-or-estate"},{"slug":"llc","term":"LLC","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/llc"},{"slug":"corporation","term":"Corporation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/corporation"},{"slug":"partnership","term":"Partnership","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/partnership"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What is an SBA *loan authorization* document, and why is it important?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-an-sba-loan-authorization-document-and-why-is-it-important"},{"question":"What information is required to document the purchase price allocation for a business acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-information-is-required-to-document-the-purchase-price-allocation-for-a-business-acqu"},{"question":"How does a lender document adherence to prudent lending standards in the underwriting credit memo?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-document-adherence-to-prudent-lending-standards-in-the-underwriting-cred"},{"question":"How does the buyer's responsiveness to document requests affect the SBA 7(a) application timeline?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-buyer-s-responsiveness-to-document-requests-affect-the-sba-7-a-application-ti"},{"question":"How should a lender document eligible liquidation expenses within the UPP for a 7(a) guaranty purchase?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-should-a-lender-document-eligible-liquidation-expenses-within-the-upp-for-a-7-a-guaran"},{"question":"How must a lender document the full standby status of a seller note to ensure SBA compliance?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-must-a-lender-document-the-full-standby-status-of-a-seller-note-to-ensure-sba-complian"}]},"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 — Governing Document","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/governing-document","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}