Glossary · The loan itself
In short
A loan specifically used to finance the purchase of an existing business, including goodwill and assets. This is the primary use for SBA 7(a) loans in a business purchase.
The SBA 7(a) program is widely used for business "acquisition loans" because it allows financing of intangible assets like goodwill, which conventional banks often shy away from. As a buyer, you'll structure your deal to include the business purchase price, working capital, and closing costs, all financed through this type of loan. This is what you're getting.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
See which SBA lenders would fund your deal
Tell us the business, the price, and where you are — we'll point you to the lenders most likely to approve a 7(a) like yours and flag what trips up approval.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day