{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-approval","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/sba-approval","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":"sba-approval","term":"SBA Approval","aka":"Loan Authorization","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"This is the official green light from the Small Business Administration that your loan application meets their criteria and they will guarantee a portion of it. It's a key milestone in the closing process.","what_it_means":"Even if your lender is a Preferred Lender (PLP), the SBA still reviews and approves your loan, generating an SBA Loan Authorization. This document outlines the final terms and conditions the SBA will guarantee. Without this, your loan can't close. Track its status closely with your lender.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-approval","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"},{"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"}],"related":[{"slug":"plp-lender","term":"PLP lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/plp-lender"},{"slug":"sba-loan-authorization","term":"SBA Loan Authorization","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-loan-authorization"},{"slug":"e-tran-submission","term":"E-Tran submission","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/e-tran-submission"},{"slug":"underwriting","term":"Underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Does the SBA 7(a) loan program have an 'Express' option for quicker approvals?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-7-a-loan-program-have-an-express-option-for-quicker-approvals"},{"question":"What servicing actions require prior written SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-servicing-actions-require-prior-written-sba-approval"},{"question":"Which criminal history issues commonly prevent SBA loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/which-criminal-history-issues-commonly-prevent-sba-loan-approval"},{"question":"How do criminal history issues commonly prevent SBA loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-do-criminal-history-issues-commonly-prevent-sba-loan-approval"},{"question":"Do unfiled tax returns or overdue taxes prevent SBA approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/do-unfiled-tax-returns-or-overdue-taxes-prevent-sba-approval"},{"question":"Does being listed on the SBA Franchise Directory guarantee SBA loan approval?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-being-listed-on-the-sba-franchise-directory-guarantee-sba-loan-approval"}]},"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 — SBA Approval","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-approval","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}