{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-cash-flow","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/personal-cash-flow","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":"personal-cash-flow","term":"Personal cash flow","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This refers to the money you have coming in and going out personally each month. Lenders assess it to ensure you can cover personal expenses and still contribute to the business if needed.","what_it_means":"Lenders evaluate your global cash flow, which includes both the business's projected cash flow and your personal cash flow. They want assurance that you won't be financially stressed outside the business, which could jeopardize loan repayment. Your tax returns provide key insights into this.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-cash-flow","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"global-cash-flow","term":"Global cash flow","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/global-cash-flow"},{"slug":"tax-return","term":"Tax return","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/tax-return"},{"slug":"repayment-capacity","term":"Repayment capacity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/repayment-capacity"},{"slug":"personal-financial-statement","term":"Personal financial statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-financial-statement"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can future cash flow or profits from the acquired business count as equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-future-cash-flow-or-profits-from-the-acquired-business-count-as-equity-injection"},{"question":"How can an SBA 7(a) loan help with ongoing cash flow for my business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-can-an-sba-7-a-loan-help-with-ongoing-cash-flow-for-my-business"},{"question":"When underwriting a 7(a) loan, how does a lender ensure that personal resources of the principals are properly considered in the global cash flow analysis?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-underwriting-a-7-a-loan-how-does-a-lender-ensure-that-personal-resources-of-the-princ"},{"question":"What is the primary factor a lender considers when evaluating the cash flow from an acquired business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-primary-factor-a-lender-considers-when-evaluating-the-cash-flow-from-an-acquir"},{"question":"Are there any restrictions on the use of cash flow projections for an SBA 7(a) acquisition loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-there-any-restrictions-on-the-use-of-cash-flow-projections-for-an-sba-7-a-acquisition-"},{"question":"Can I use an SBA 7(a) loan for my business's daily operating expenses or cash flow?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-i-use-an-sba-7-a-loan-for-my-business-s-daily-operating-expenses-or-cash-flow"}]},"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 — Personal cash flow","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-cash-flow","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}