Glossary · The loan itself
In short
The set of rules defining who can get an SBA 7(a) loan. If you don't meet these, you can't get the loan, so it's a critical first check.
The SBA has specific criteria for who can be a borrower, covering things like business type, citizenship, and character. Your lender will verify this early in the process using Form 1919 and other checks. Make sure you understand these rules upfront to avoid wasting time.
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.
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