For SBA lenders
Short answer
Identity of interest can trigger affiliation when individuals or entities share economic interests, such as common investments, significant financial ties, or shared use of critical resources, even without common ownership or management control.
13 CFR 121.103 outlines various types of affiliation. Identity of interest exists when individuals or entities are so intertwined that one can exert control over the other or act in concert. This can include immediate family members, former officers/directors who retain influence, or entities with shared financial dependence.
Two separate businesses, each owned 50% by siblings, are found to be affiliated due to shared economic interests and resource use, making their combined revenues exceed the size standard for a new 7(a) loan application.
13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Affiliation and Lending Criteria for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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