{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting-process","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/underwriting-process","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":"underwriting-process","term":"Underwriting process","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"The lender's comprehensive review of your loan application, financial statements, business plan, and collateral to assess risk and determine your eligibility for an SBA loan.","what_it_means":"During the \"Underwriting process,\" the lender performs a deep dive into the business's financials, your personal creditworthiness, and the project's viability. They'll analyze your repayment capacity, collateral, and character, often requesting additional documentation. Be prepared for thorough due diligence and quick responses to information requests.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting-process","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":"underwriting","term":"Underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting"},{"slug":"credit-analysis","term":"Credit analysis","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-analysis"},{"slug":"due-diligence","term":"Due diligence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/due-diligence"},{"slug":"repayment-capacity","term":"Repayment capacity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/repayment-capacity"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What if the seller withdraws from the sale agreement during the SBA loan underwriting process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-if-the-seller-withdraws-from-the-sale-agreement-during-the-sba-loan-underwriting-proc"},{"question":"What happens if a seller withdraws from the sale agreement during the SBA loan underwriting process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-happens-if-a-seller-withdraws-from-the-sale-agreement-during-the-sba-loan-underwritin"},{"question":"How long can the SBA 7(a) loan underwriting process take after all documents are submitted?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-long-can-the-sba-7-a-loan-underwriting-process-take-after-all-documents-are-submitted"},{"question":"What is the lender's process for underwriting a change of ownership with an earn-out provision?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-lender-s-process-for-underwriting-a-change-of-ownership-with-an-earn-out-provi"},{"question":"What common issues often kill an SBA 7(a) loan approval for a business acquisition during the underwriting process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-common-issues-often-kill-an-sba-7-a-loan-approval-for-a-business-acquisition-during-t"},{"question":"What operational adjustments must a lender make to its internal credit scoring and underwriting processes for 7(a) Small Loans following the SBSS score sunset?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-operational-adjustments-must-a-lender-make-to-its-internal-credit-scoring-and-underwr"}]},"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 — Underwriting process","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/underwriting-process","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}