Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
This refers to individuals or entities that are related to or have control over the borrower or the target business. The SBA scrutinizes these relationships to ensure fair dealings and prevent conflicts of interest.
The SBA has strict rules about affiliation, especially regarding business size and relationships between parties. If you or the seller have other businesses, or if there's common management or ownership, the SBA might deem them affiliated. This can impact eligibility, as the combined size of all affiliated businesses must still meet SBA size standards.
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.
Know what you'll need before you apply
Tell us about the deal and who's buying — we'll flag the guaranty, eligibility, and paperwork issues that slow SBA approval before they cost you time.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day