Glossary · Reading the business
In short
An asset is anything of economic value owned by the business, like cash, equipment, inventory, or intellectual property. Buyers need to identify all assets to understand the true value and operational capacity of the business.
When acquiring a business with an SBA 7(a) loan, you're typically buying the assets. These assets serve as collateral for your loan. Verify all listed assets during due diligence to ensure they exist, are in good condition, and are unencumbered by undisclosed liens.
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.
Pressure-test the numbers before you make an offer
Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.
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