{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-significance-of-the-statement-of-personal-history-section-on-sba-form-1919-for","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/what-is-the-significance-of-the-statement-of-personal-history-section-on-sba-form-1919-for","question":"What is the significance of the \"Statement of Personal History\" section on SBA Form 1919 for eligibility?","topic":"Required Forms","audience":"lender","bot_mode":"lender","short_answer":"The \"Statement of Personal History\" section on Form 1919 is critical for assessing the character eligibility of all principals, specifically addressing criminal history, prior defaults on government debt, and other factors that could deem an applicant ineligible.","rule":"The SBA requires a \"good character\" assessment for all loan applicants. The personal history questions on Form 1919 directly address this by asking about criminal convictions, current indictments, previous bankruptcies, and defaults on federal loans. Affirmative answers often trigger further review or potential ineligibility.","example":"If a principal checks \"Yes\" to a question about a past felony conviction, the lender must follow SBA guidance, which may include obtaining court documents, a personal statement from the applicant, and potentially submitting the case to the SBA's Office of Financial Assistance for a character determination.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must ensure accurate and complete disclosure on this section. Failure to investigate affirmative answers or overlooking disqualifying information could lead to a guaranty denial based on character ineligibility.","required_facts":["Personal history","Character eligibility","Criminal history","Government debt default","Prior bankruptcy","Full disclosure"],"source_families":["SBA Form 1919 - Borrower Information Form","SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","Criminal Justice Reviews for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SBA Form 1919 - Borrower Information Form","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/2025.02.27%20Form%201919%20-%20Updates%20%28FINAL%29_03-12-2025%20%281%29.pdf"},{"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"},{"title":"Criminal Justice Reviews for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule","url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/30/2024-09009/criminal-justice-reviews-for-the-sba-business-loan-programs-disaster-loan-programs-and-surety-bond"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Which individuals must complete SBA Form 413 and how does it inform credit decisions?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/which-individuals-must-complete-sba-form-413-and-how-does-it-inform-credit-decisions"},{"question":"How does SBA Form 1919 ensure borrower eligibility compliance for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-sba-form-1919-ensure-borrower-eligibility-compliance-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What is the primary purpose of SBA Form 1919 and how does a lender use it in 7(a) underwriting?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-primary-purpose-of-sba-form-1919-and-how-does-a-lender-use-it-in-7-a-underwrit"},{"question":"Which SBA forms are mandatory for every 7(a) loan application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/which-sba-forms-are-mandatory-for-every-7-a-loan-application"},{"question":"What is the purpose of collecting borrower certifications on SBA Form 1919?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-purpose-of-collecting-borrower-certifications-on-sba-form-1919"},{"question":"What is the importance of the SBA Form 1919 (Borrower Information Form) in the 7(a) loan application process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-importance-of-the-sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form-in-the-7-a-loan-appl"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Form 1919","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-1919"},{"term":"Statement of Personal History","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/statement-of-personal-history"},{"term":"Personal History Statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-history-statement"},{"term":"SBA Form 1919 Disclosure","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-form-1919-disclosure"},{"term":"Claim on the SBA Guarantee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/claim-on-the-sba-guarantee"},{"term":"Personal credit history","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-credit-history"}],"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-significance-of-the-statement-of-personal-history-section-on-sba-form-1919-for","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."]}