{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/trust","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/trust","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":"trust","term":"Trust","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A legal arrangement where assets are held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary). For a buyer, this can complicate ownership and control in a business acquisition.","what_it_means":"If the seller's business assets or ownership are held in a trust, you need to understand the trust's terms. Ensure the trustee has the authority to sell and that the assets are transferred cleanly. This is crucial for verifying clear title and avoiding future disputes.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/trust","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"partnership","term":"Partnership","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/partnership"},{"slug":"corporation","term":"Corporation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/corporation"},{"slug":"llc","term":"LLC","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/llc"},{"slug":"lease-agreement","term":"Lease agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lease-agreement"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"For a business owned by a trust, what citizenship and residency requirements apply to the trustee for 7(a) eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/for-a-business-owned-by-a-trust-what-citizenship-and-residency-requirements-apply-to-the-t"},{"question":"Can a business owned by a trust be eligible for a 7(a) loan if the trustee is a foreign national?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-business-owned-by-a-trust-be-eligible-for-a-7-a-loan-if-the-trustee-is-a-foreign-nat"},{"question":"How does the SBA determine affiliation between businesses controlled by a common trust?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-determine-affiliation-between-businesses-controlled-by-a-common-trust"},{"question":"When does common ownership through a trust or estate create affiliation for size purposes?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-does-common-ownership-through-a-trust-or-estate-create-affiliation-for-size-purposes"},{"question":"Can I use inherited money that is currently in a trust to fund my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-inherited-money-that-is-currently-in-a-trust-to-fund-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can a trust or an estate be an eligible borrower for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-trust-or-an-estate-be-an-eligible-borrower-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"}]},"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 — Trust","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/trust","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}