Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
A bank or financial institution that offers loans without a government guarantee. They have their own underwriting standards, which can be stricter than SBA loans.
A conventional lender provides financing outside of government-backed programs like the SBA 7(a). If you qualify, their loans might have fewer administrative hurdles, but often require higher down payments or have stricter collateral requirements.
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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