{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ultimate-obligor","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/ultimate-obligor","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":"ultimate-obligor","term":"Ultimate Obligor","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is the legal entity or individual ultimately responsible for repaying the SBA loan. As the buyer, you are typically the ultimate obligor, either directly or through your acquisition entity.","what_it_means":"The ultimate obligor is the entity or individual legally bound to repay the loan. For an SBA acquisition, this is typically your newly formed operating company, which you will control and personally guarantee. Ensure you understand the full scope of this responsibility and who else might be considered an obligor.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ultimate-obligor","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":"sba-form-1919","title":"SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":4,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sba-form-1919"}],"related":[{"slug":"personal-guarantee","term":"Personal guarantee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-guarantee"},{"slug":"loan-agreement","term":"Loan agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-agreement"},{"slug":"key-principal","term":"Key principal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/key-principal"}],"related_questions":[]},"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 — Ultimate Obligor","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ultimate-obligor","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}