{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/wsj-prime","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/wsj-prime","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":"wsj-prime","term":"WSJ Prime","group":"The loan itself","definition":"The base interest rate published by the Wall Street Journal. Your rate is Prime plus a spread.","what_it_means":"WSJ Prime is the floating benchmark that anchors 7(a) loan rates — it moves with the federal funds rate and is reset whenever the Fed acts. Lenders quote your rate as 'Prime + X%' where X is the spread they're adding. If Prime is 7.5% and your spread is 2.75%, your rate is 10.25%. Track Prime at the time you're modeling a deal, and remember it can move between letter of intent and closing.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/wsj-prime","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"variable-rate","term":"Variable rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/variable-rate"},{"slug":"spread","term":"Spread","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/spread"},{"slug":"term-maturity","term":"Term / maturity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/term-maturity"},{"slug":"dscr","term":"DSCR","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/dscr"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How does a lender determine the maximum allowable interest rate for a variable-rate 7(a) loan tied to the WSJ Prime?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-determine-the-maximum-allowable-interest-rate-for-a-variable-rate-7-a-lo"},{"question":"What is the 'Prime Rate' when talking about SBA 7(a) loan rates?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-prime-rate-when-talking-about-sba-7-a-loan-rates"},{"question":"What is the difference between Prime Rate and an SBA 7(a) loan rate?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-difference-between-prime-rate-and-an-sba-7-a-loan-rate"},{"question":"What is the difference between Prime Rate and the SBA optional peg rate for 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-difference-between-prime-rate-and-the-sba-optional-peg-rate-for-7-a-loans"},{"question":"What is the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate's role in SBA 7(a) loan interest rates?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-wall-street-journal-prime-rate-s-role-in-sba-7-a-loan-interest-rates"},{"question":"What are the current alternative base rate options for variable rate 7(a) loans, besides Prime Rate?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-current-alternative-base-rate-options-for-variable-rate-7-a-loans-besides-pri"}],"related_tool":{"label":"Today's 7(a) rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/current-rates"}},"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 — WSJ Prime","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/wsj-prime","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}