{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/letter-of-explanation","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/letter-of-explanation","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":"letter-of-explanation","term":"Letter of Explanation","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A Letter of Explanation is a written statement you provide to the lender to clarify specific items on your credit report or financial history. It addresses potential concerns directly.","what_it_means":"Lenders will ask for a Letter of Explanation for any derogatory marks, unusual account activity, or gaps in your financial history. Be concise, honest, and provide supporting documentation if possible. A clear explanation can differentiate a minor issue from a disqualifying problem.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/letter-of-explanation","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":"credit-report","term":"Credit report","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-report"},{"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"},{"slug":"creditworthiness","term":"Creditworthiness","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/creditworthiness"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Does a gift letter need to be from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident for equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-a-gift-letter-need-to-be-from-a-u-s-citizen-or-permanent-resident-for-equity-injectio"},{"question":"Are there specific requirements for a gift letter if funds are received from multiple immediate family members for the down payment?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-there-specific-requirements-for-a-gift-letter-if-funds-are-received-from-multiple-imme"},{"question":"Can I use a secured personal line of credit as part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-a-secured-personal-line-of-credit-as-part-of-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can a seller-financed portion of the sale be considered part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-seller-financed-portion-of-the-sale-be-considered-part-of-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can a buyer's assumption of existing business debt count as part of the equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-buyer-s-assumption-of-existing-business-debt-count-as-part-of-the-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can I use funds from a personal line of credit as part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-funds-from-a-personal-line-of-credit-as-part-of-my-equity-injection"}]},"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 — Letter of Explanation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/letter-of-explanation","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}