{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/preferred-lender","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/preferred-lender","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":"preferred-lender","term":"Preferred Lender","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A bank authorized by the SBA to make final credit decisions on SBA loans without prior SBA review. This speeds up the loan approval process.","what_it_means":"Working with a Preferred Lender, often called a PLP lender, significantly streamlines your SBA loan application. They have delegated authority from the SBA, meaning they can underwrite and approve loans internally, rather than waiting for the SBA to review each step. This can shave weeks off your closing timeline.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/preferred-lender","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":"plp-lender","term":"PLP lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/plp-lender"},{"slug":"delegated-authority","term":"Delegated authority","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/delegated-authority"},{"slug":"underwriting","term":"Underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting"},{"slug":"non-delegated-lender","term":"Non-Delegated Lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/non-delegated-lender"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How is a lender's 'SBA Preferred Lender' status beneficial for the borrower?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-is-a-lender-s-sba-preferred-lender-status-beneficial-for-the-borrower"},{"question":"What does 'Preferred Lender Program' (PLP) status mean for a bank?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-does-preferred-lender-program-plp-status-mean-for-a-bank"},{"question":"What is the role of an \"SBA Preferred Lender\" in the application process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-role-of-an-sba-preferred-lender-in-the-application-process"},{"question":"Does working with a 'Preferred Lender' speed up the SBA 7(a) loan process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-working-with-a-preferred-lender-speed-up-the-sba-7-a-loan-process"},{"question":"What is an 'SBA Preferred Lender,' and why does it matter for my application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-an-sba-preferred-lender-and-why-does-it-matter-for-my-application"},{"question":"What is a 'Preferred Lender' (PLP) in the context of SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-a-preferred-lender-plp-in-the-context-of-sba-7-a-loans"}]},"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 — Preferred Lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/preferred-lender","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}