{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-definition-of-control-for-affiliation-purposes-in-a-7-a-loan-application","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/what-is-the-definition-of-control-for-affiliation-purposes-in-a-7-a-loan-application","question":"What is the definition of \"control\" for affiliation purposes in a 7(a) loan application?","topic":"Affiliation & size","audience":"lender","bot_mode":"lender","short_answer":"\"Control\" for affiliation purposes includes the power to control, whether exercised or not, and can be through ownership, management, or contractual relationships.","rule":"The SBA considers control to exist if a person or entity has the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of another concern. This can be manifested through stock ownership (typically 50% or more, but less if no other single owner has a larger block), management positions, special voting rights, or various contractual agreements like management agreements or common interests.","example":"Two businesses, \"Alpha Corp\" and \"Beta LLC,\" are legally separate. However, John is CEO of Alpha and also holds 60% of Beta's voting shares. Even if Beta has its own management, John's 60% ownership means he controls Beta, triggering affiliation between Alpha and Beta for SBA size calculations.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must meticulously review ownership structures, management agreements, and operational relationships to identify all potential affiliates. Misidentifying or overlooking affiliates can lead to a business exceeding SBA size standards and render the loan ineligible.","required_facts":["Ownership percentage","Management positions","Contractual agreements","Power to control","Common interests"],"source_families":["13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations","Affiliation and Lending Criteria for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule","SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs"],"official_sources":[{"title":"13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121"},{"title":"Affiliation and Lending Criteria for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule","url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/10/2023-07173/affiliation-and-lending-criteria-for-the-sba-business-loan-programs"},{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"When does a contractual relationship between two businesses trigger affiliation for size standard calculations?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-does-a-contractual-relationship-between-two-businesses-trigger-affiliation-for-size-s"},{"question":"How does ownership of options or warrants affect affiliation determination for SBA size standards?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-ownership-of-options-or-warrants-affect-affiliation-determination-for-sba-size-st"},{"question":"What are the size standard requirements for a business applying for a 7(a) loan if it operates internationally?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-size-standard-requirements-for-a-business-applying-for-a-7-a-loan-if-it-opera"},{"question":"What specific scenarios involving shared directors, officers, or key employees constitute 'common management' triggering affiliation for SBA size determination?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-scenarios-involving-shared-directors-officers-or-key-employees-constitute-co"},{"question":"Under what conditions does a shared economic interest trigger affiliation for SBA size standard purposes?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/under-what-conditions-does-a-shared-economic-interest-trigger-affiliation-for-sba-size-sta"},{"question":"How does the 'totality of the circumstances' rule apply when determining affiliation for SBA size standards?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-totality-of-the-circumstances-rule-apply-when-determining-affiliation-for-sba"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"term":"Standard 7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/standard-7-a-loan"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan"},{"term":"7(a) Small Loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7-a-small-loan"},{"term":"Application for Guaranty","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/application-for-guaranty"},{"term":"Loan Application","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-application"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-definition-of-control-for-affiliation-purposes-in-a-7-a-loan-application","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}