Glossary · Reading the business
In short
Buying or selling commodities with the hope of profiting from price fluctuations. Businesses primarily engaged in this activity are ineligible for SBA 7(a) loans.
The SBA specifically excludes businesses engaged in speculation from 7(a) eligibility. If the business you're buying makes its money primarily by betting on commodity prices, an SBA loan won't work. This applies to businesses that actively trade commodities rather than using them in their core operations.
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.
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