{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/internal-credit-policy","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/internal-credit-policy","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":"internal-credit-policy","term":"Internal credit policy","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is a bank's own set of rules and guidelines for assessing loan applications, separate from SBA requirements. Lenders must meet both their own and the SBA's standards.","what_it_means":"Even if a deal meets all SBA eligibility criteria, it must also satisfy the specific lender's internal credit policy. These policies can vary significantly between banks and might include stricter FICO score minimums, DSCR requirements, or industry preferences. Work with a lender whose policies align with your deal's strengths.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/internal-credit-policy","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"prudent-lending-standards","term":"Prudent lending standards","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/prudent-lending-standards"},{"slug":"credit-analysis","term":"Credit analysis","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-analysis"},{"slug":"fico-score","term":"FICO score","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-score"},{"slug":"dscr","term":"DSCR","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/dscr"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What information on SBA Form 1919 must be consistent with the lender's internal credit memo and E-Tran?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-information-on-sba-form-1919-must-be-consistent-with-the-lender-s-internal-credit-mem"},{"question":"What specific information on SBA Form 1919 must be consistent with the lender's internal credit memo and E-Tran submission?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-information-on-sba-form-1919-must-be-consistent-with-the-lender-s-internal-c"},{"question":"What operational adjustments must a lender make to its internal credit scoring and underwriting processes for 7(a) Small Loans following the SBSS score sunset?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-operational-adjustments-must-a-lender-make-to-its-internal-credit-scoring-and-underwr"},{"question":"What are the SBA's current policy expectations for documentation of a lender's independent credit analysis for 7(a) Small Loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-sba-s-current-policy-expectations-for-documentation-of-a-lender-s-independent"},{"question":"What if a lender's internal loan review discovers a potential eligibility issue post-closing?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-if-a-lender-s-internal-loan-review-discovers-a-potential-eligibility-issue-post-closi"},{"question":"Can an SBA loan finance a partner buyout if we've only used an internal valuation?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-loan-finance-a-partner-buyout-if-we-ve-only-used-an-internal-valuation"}]},"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 — Internal credit policy","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/internal-credit-policy","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}