{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-narrative","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/loan-narrative","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":"loan-narrative","term":"Loan narrative","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A written summary prepared by the lender that tells the story of your business acquisition, detailing the business's background, your experience, and how the loan funds will be used.","what_it_means":"This document is crucial for the SBA's review process, especially for non-delegated lenders or larger loans. It provides context for the financial projections and explains how your management team will ensure the business's success and loan repayment. Ensure your business plan and projections align with the narrative.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-narrative","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":"business-plan","term":"Business plan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-plan"},{"slug":"cash-flow-projection","term":"Cash flow projection","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cash-flow-projection"},{"slug":"underwriting","term":"Underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting"},{"slug":"use-of-proceeds","term":"Use of proceeds","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/use-of-proceeds"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the consequences if the NAICS code entered into E-Tran differs from the primary business activity in the loan narrative?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-consequences-if-the-naics-code-entered-into-e-tran-differs-from-the-primary-b"},{"question":"What is the specific impact if the NAICS code entered into E-Tran differs from the primary business activity described in the loan narrative?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-specific-impact-if-the-naics-code-entered-into-e-tran-differs-from-the-primary"},{"question":"Does an SBA loan have better terms than a regular bank loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-an-sba-loan-have-better-terms-than-a-regular-bank-loan"},{"question":"What is the minimum loan amount for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-minimum-loan-amount-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What is the maximum loan amount for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-maximum-loan-amount-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Is there a typical average loan size for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-there-a-typical-average-loan-size-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"}]},"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 — Loan narrative","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-narrative","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}