{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-lender","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/sba-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":"sba-lender","term":"SBA lender","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is a bank or financial institution authorized by the Small Business Administration to make loans under the 7(a) program. They underwrite, close, and service the loan, with the SBA providing a partial guarantee.","what_it_means":"Not all banks offer SBA loans. You'll work directly with an SBA lender who understands the program's complexities. Look for a \"Preferred Lender\" (PLP lender) as they have delegated authority, meaning faster approvals. They are your primary point of contact throughout the loan process.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-lender","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":"plp-lender","term":"PLP lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/plp-lender"},{"slug":"7a-loan","term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"slug":"underwriting","term":"Underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting"},{"slug":"servicing","term":"Servicing","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/servicing"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What types of lenders offer SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-types-of-lenders-offer-sba-7-a-loans"},{"question":"Do certain types of lenders process SBA 7(a) loans faster?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/do-certain-types-of-lenders-process-sba-7-a-loans-faster"},{"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":"Why do lenders typically prefer larger amounts for SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/why-do-lenders-typically-prefer-larger-amounts-for-sba-7-a-loans"},{"question":"Does the SBA tell lenders exactly what interest rate they must charge?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-tell-lenders-exactly-what-interest-rate-they-must-charge"},{"question":"Are there caps on the interest rates lenders can charge for SBA 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/are-there-caps-on-the-interest-rates-lenders-can-charge-for-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 — SBA lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-lender","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}