Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
The SBA and lenders evaluate your honesty and integrity. They look at your credit history, criminal record, and general reputation to determine if you're a trustworthy borrower.
Lenders will scrutinize your personal history, including any bankruptcies, felonies, or even significant derogatory marks on your credit report. Disclose everything upfront. Any red flags here can kill your SBA loan application, regardless of the business's strength.
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.
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