{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/transaction-screen","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/transaction-screen","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":"transaction-screen","term":"Transaction Screen","group":"Reading the business","definition":"A limited environmental assessment performed on a property to identify potential environmental risks. It's less intensive than a Phase I ESA.","what_it_means":"For many small business acquisitions, a Transaction Screen might be the initial environmental review required by your lender, especially for properties with low-risk NAICS codes. This involves a questionnaire, site visit, and review of public records. If red flags appear, be prepared for a Phase I ESA.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/transaction-screen","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":"environmental-questionnaire","term":"Environmental Questionnaire","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/environmental-questionnaire"},{"slug":"phase-i-esa","term":"Phase I ESA","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/phase-i-esa"},{"slug":"recognized-environmental-condition","term":"Recognized Environmental Condition","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/recognized-environmental-condition"},{"slug":"naics-code","term":"NAICS code","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/naics-code"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Who actually lends the money in an SBA 7(a) loan transaction?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/who-actually-lends-the-money-in-an-sba-7-a-loan-transaction"},{"question":"When is a business valuation required for a change of ownership transaction exceeding $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-a-business-valuation-required-for-a-change-of-ownership-transaction-exceeding-500-"},{"question":"When is a business appraisal required for a change of ownership transaction exceeding $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-a-business-appraisal-required-for-a-change-of-ownership-transaction-exceeding-500-"},{"question":"What specific documentation is required from the seller for a 7(a) change-of-ownership transaction?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-documentation-is-required-from-the-seller-for-a-7-a-change-of-ownership-tran"},{"question":"When is an independent business appraisal required for a change of ownership transaction exceeding $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-an-independent-business-appraisal-required-for-a-change-of-ownership-transaction-e"},{"question":"How does the SBA handle a seller's retained ownership in a change-of-ownership transaction?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-handle-a-seller-s-retained-ownership-in-a-change-of-ownership-transaction"}]},"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 — Transaction Screen","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/transaction-screen","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}