{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lender","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/lender","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":"lender","term":"Lender","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is the financial institution, such as a bank or credit union, that provides the SBA loan funds to you, the borrower. They underwrite, approve, and service your loan.","what_it_means":"Your choice of lender significantly impacts the loan process. Look for a Preferred Lender (PLP) with experience in business acquisitions, as they can approve loans faster. A good lender acts as your guide through the SBA's complex rules and requirements.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lender","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":"plp-lender","term":"PLP lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/plp-lender"},{"slug":"commercial-bank","term":"Commercial bank","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/commercial-bank"},{"slug":"community-bank","term":"Community bank","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/community-bank"},{"slug":"underwriting","term":"Underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What types of lenders offer SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-types-of-lenders-offer-sba-7-a-loans"},{"question":"Do certain types of lenders process SBA 7(a) loans faster?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/do-certain-types-of-lenders-process-sba-7-a-loans-faster"},{"question":"How is a lender's 'SBA Preferred Lender' status beneficial for the borrower?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-is-a-lender-s-sba-preferred-lender-status-beneficial-for-the-borrower"},{"question":"Why do lenders typically prefer larger amounts for SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/why-do-lenders-typically-prefer-larger-amounts-for-sba-7-a-loans"},{"question":"Does the SBA tell lenders exactly what interest rate they must charge?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-tell-lenders-exactly-what-interest-rate-they-must-charge"},{"question":"What is the primary purpose of the Universal Purchase Package (UPP) for lenders?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-primary-purpose-of-the-universal-purchase-package-upp-for-lenders"}]},"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 — Lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lender","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}