Glossary · Reading the business
In short
This is a record of your past borrowing and repayment behavior. Lenders scrutinize it to assess your reliability and creditworthiness for the loan.
Your personal credit history is a key factor in SBA loan approval. Lenders will pull your FICO score and a full credit report. Any derogatory marks, such as bankruptcies or late payments, will be reviewed. Ensure your credit history is as clean as possible before applying, as it directly impacts your eligibility.
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA form
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.
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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