{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/line-of-credit","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/line-of-credit","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":"line-of-credit","term":"Line of credit","group":"The loan itself","definition":"A flexible loan that allows a business to borrow, repay, and re-borrow up to a set limit. Buyers care because it's crucial for managing working capital, covering seasonal fluctuations, and handling unexpected operational expenses post-acquisition.","what_it_means":"While an SBA 7(a) loan is primarily for acquisition, a separate, smaller SBA-guaranteed line of credit (like an SBA Express LOC) might be available for working capital. Understand if the business already has one and if you can maintain or obtain one. It's vital for operational liquidity after closing.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/line-of-credit","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":"working-capital","term":"Working capital","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/working-capital"},{"slug":"sba-express","term":"SBA Express","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-express"},{"slug":"7a-loan","term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"slug":"cash-flow","term":"Cash flow","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cash-flow"}],"related_questions":[{"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 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"},{"question":"Can funds from an unsecured personal line of credit be considered part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-funds-from-an-unsecured-personal-line-of-credit-be-considered-part-of-my-equity-inject"},{"question":"Can funds from a home equity line of credit be used for my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-funds-from-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-be-used-for-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"How does using funds from a home equity line of credit affect my down payment?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-using-funds-from-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-affect-my-down-payment"},{"question":"Can funds from a home equity line of credit be used for the down payment?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-funds-from-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-be-used-for-the-down-payment"}]},"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 — Line of credit","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/line-of-credit","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}