{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-position","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/lien-position","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":"lien-position","term":"Lien position","group":"The loan itself","definition":"Lien position refers to the order in which creditors get paid from the sale of collateral if a borrower defaults. As an SBA borrower, your lender usually requires a \"first lien\" on business assets to protect their investment.","what_it_means":"The SBA typically requires its lenders to secure a first lien on all available business assets to maximize recovery in case of default. This means the SBA lender is paid before other creditors from the sale of those assets. Understand what collateral is being secured and your lender's lien position on it.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-position","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":"lien","term":"Lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien"},{"slug":"first-lien","term":"First lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/first-lien"},{"slug":"lien-priority","term":"Lien priority","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-priority"},{"slug":"collateral","term":"Collateral","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/collateral"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What is the SBA's general requirement for lien position on business collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-sba-s-general-requirement-for-lien-position-on-business-collateral"},{"question":"When can a second lien position be acceptable for specific assets on a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-can-a-second-lien-position-be-acceptable-for-specific-assets-on-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What are the SBA's requirements for obtaining a first lien position on all principal business assets?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-sba-s-requirements-for-obtaining-a-first-lien-position-on-all-principal-busin"},{"question":"Does the SBA always require a first lien position on all business assets for an acquisition loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-sba-always-require-a-first-lien-position-on-all-business-assets-for-an-acquisitio"},{"question":"How does the SBA view a second lien position on real estate collateral for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-view-a-second-lien-position-on-real-estate-collateral-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"When is a lender permitted to take a second lien position on specific assets for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-a-lender-permitted-to-take-a-second-lien-position-on-specific-assets-for-a-7-a-loa"}]},"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 — Lien position","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-position","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}