{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/program-rule","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/program-rule","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":"program-rule","term":"Program Rule","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"Specific regulations and guidelines set by the SBA that govern the 7(a) loan program. Your deal must comply with these to get approved and funded.","what_it_means":"The SBA sets strict program rules, primarily found in 13 CFR Part 120 and SOP 50 10, which lenders must follow for every 7(a) loan. These rules cover everything from borrower eligibility and use of proceeds to collateral requirements and personal guarantees. Your lender ensures compliance, but you should understand the basics, especially around eligibility and equity injection.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/program-rule","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":"sop-50-10","term":"SOP 50 10","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sop-50-10"},{"slug":"eligibility","term":"Eligibility","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility"},{"slug":"use-of-proceeds","term":"Use of proceeds","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/use-of-proceeds"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How does the SBA define 'active ownership' for the 24-month rule?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-define-active-ownership-for-the-24-month-rule"},{"question":"How does the 'franchise rule' affect affiliation calculations for SBA 7(a) eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-franchise-rule-affect-affiliation-calculations-for-sba-7-a-eligibility"},{"question":"How does the 'not engaged in lending' rule apply to a loan applicant?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-not-engaged-in-lending-rule-apply-to-a-loan-applicant"},{"question":"What is the 24-month ownership rule for a $0-down SBA partner buyout?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-24-month-ownership-rule-for-a-0-down-sba-partner-buyout"},{"question":"How does the SBA define 'total control' rule to determine affiliation for size standards?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-define-total-control-rule-to-determine-affiliation-for-size-standards"},{"question":"How does the SBA's \"all available collateral\" rule apply when business assets are limited?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-s-all-available-collateral-rule-apply-when-business-assets-are-limited"}]},"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 — Program Rule","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/program-rule","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}