{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/waiving-a-lien","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/waiving-a-lien","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":"waiving-a-lien","term":"Waiving a Lien","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"Waiving a lien means a creditor gives up their legal claim on an asset. This is often necessary for the SBA lender to secure a first lien position on collateral, making the loan viable.","what_it_means":"The SBA requires its lenders to hold a first lien position on all business assets. If a seller or another creditor has an existing lien, they must formally waive it before closing. Ensure all prior liens are addressed and released as part of the closing process.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/waiving-a-lien","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":"lien","term":"Lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien"},{"slug":"ucc-lien","term":"UCC lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ucc-lien"},{"slug":"first-lien","term":"First lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/first-lien"},{"slug":"collateral","term":"Collateral","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/collateral"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What criteria justify a lender waiving a lien on readily marketable personal assets from a guarantor?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-criteria-justify-a-lender-waiving-a-lien-on-readily-marketable-personal-assets-from-a"},{"question":"What are the specific requirements for a lender to obtain a valid first lien position on UCC collateral when prior liens exist?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-specific-requirements-for-a-lender-to-obtain-a-valid-first-lien-position-on-u"},{"question":"When must a lender take a lien on specific equipment for collateral, beyond a blanket lien?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-must-a-lender-take-a-lien-on-specific-equipment-for-collateral-beyond-a-blanket-lien"},{"question":"What are the specific lien priority requirements for lenders on both business and personal collateral securing a 7(a) loan, particularly when junior liens exist?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-specific-lien-priority-requirements-for-lenders-on-both-business-and-personal"},{"question":"Is a separate lien required on each piece of equipment if a blanket lien is already in place?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-a-separate-lien-required-on-each-piece-of-equipment-if-a-blanket-lien-is-already-in-pla"},{"question":"Is a blanket lien on all business assets a standard SBA requirement?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-a-blanket-lien-on-all-business-assets-a-standard-sba-requirement"}]},"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 — Waiving a Lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/waiving-a-lien","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}