{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-can-a-lender-require-a-collateral-assignment-of-life-insurance-for-a-7-a-loan-on-a-no","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/when-can-a-lender-require-a-collateral-assignment-of-life-insurance-for-a-7-a-loan-on-a-no","question":"When can a lender require a collateral assignment of life insurance for a 7(a) loan on a non-owner key employee?","topic":"Life insurance","audience":"lender","bot_mode":"lender","short_answer":"A lender can require a collateral assignment of life insurance on a non-owner key employee when that individual's death would cause severe financial hardship to the business, particularly for larger loans.","rule":"Life insurance on key individuals is typically required for owners of 20% or more. However, if a non-owner key employee (e.g., a highly specialized technician, a top salesperson) is critical to the business's success and their loss would significantly jeopardize repayment ability, the lender may require a collateral assignment of life insurance on that individual. This decision must be documented under prudent lending standards.","example":"A small software company relies heavily on its sole lead developer, a non-owner employee, for its flagship product. For a $1 million 7(a) loan, the lender, recognizing the substantial risk, requires a collateral assignment of a life insurance policy on the lead developer.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must justify life insurance requirements for non-owner key employees by documenting the individual's critical role and the potential financial impact of their loss. They ensure the policy amount is reasonable and properly assigned as collateral.","required_facts":["Non-owner key employee","Business financial hardship","Repayment ability","Prudent lending standards","Collateral assignment"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","7(a) Loan Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility"],"official_sources":[{"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":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"},{"title":"7(a) Loan Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility","url":"https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/terms-conditions-eligibility"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What documentation is required for a lender to properly assign a life insurance policy as collateral for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-documentation-is-required-for-a-lender-to-properly-assign-a-life-insurance-policy-as-"},{"question":"What specific details must a lender verify when structuring life insurance collateral assignments for multiple key principals with varying ownership stakes?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-details-must-a-lender-verify-when-structuring-life-insurance-collateral-assi"},{"question":"When is a collateral assignment of life insurance on a key principal mandatory for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-a-collateral-assignment-of-life-insurance-on-a-key-principal-mandatory-for-an-sba-"},{"question":"Under what circumstances can a lender waive the life insurance requirement for a 7(a) loan on a key principal?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/under-what-circumstances-can-a-lender-waive-the-life-insurance-requirement-for-a-7-a-loan-"},{"question":"What are the specific requirements for life insurance collateral assignment when multiple key principals exist?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-specific-requirements-for-life-insurance-collateral-assignment-when-multiple-"},{"question":"When is life insurance required on key principals for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-life-insurance-required-on-key-principals-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Collateral Assignment of Life Insurance","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/collateral-assignment-of-life-insurance"},{"term":"Life Insurance Collateral Assignment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/life-insurance-collateral-assignment"},{"term":"Life insurance assignment","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/life-insurance-assignment"},{"term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"term":"Life insurance collateral","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/life-insurance-collateral"},{"term":"Standard 7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/standard-7-a-loan"}],"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/when-can-a-lender-require-a-collateral-assignment-of-life-insurance-for-a-7-a-loan-on-a-no","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."]}