{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-credit-history","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/personal-credit-history","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-credit-history","term":"Personal credit history","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This is a record of your past borrowing and repayment behavior, detailing your debts, payment patterns, and any derogatory marks. Lenders use it to assess your creditworthiness.","what_it_means":"As a buyer seeking an SBA 7(a) loan, your personal credit history is a major factor in the lender's underwriting decision. They will review your credit report for timely payments, outstanding debts, and any bankruptcies or judgments. A strong history signals reliability.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-credit-history","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":"personal-credit-score","term":"Personal credit score","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-credit-score"},{"slug":"credit-report","term":"Credit report","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-report"},{"slug":"creditworthiness","term":"Creditworthiness","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/creditworthiness"},{"slug":"fico-score","term":"FICO score","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-score"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Does my personal credit history affect my business's SBA loan application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-my-personal-credit-history-affect-my-business-s-sba-loan-application"},{"question":"What role does my personal credit history play in a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-role-does-my-personal-credit-history-play-in-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"How important is my personal credit history for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-important-is-my-personal-credit-history-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What kind of personal credit history is expected for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-kind-of-personal-credit-history-is-expected-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"How does my personal financial history, beyond credit score, affect SBA 7(a) loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-my-personal-financial-history-beyond-credit-score-affect-sba-7-a-loan-approval"},{"question":"Does my personal credit history significantly affect my chances of getting an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-my-personal-credit-history-significantly-affect-my-chances-of-getting-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 — Personal credit history","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-credit-history","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}