Glossary · Reading the business
In short
A unique alphanumeric code identifying U.S. and Canadian securities. It's like a serial number for publicly traded stocks and bonds.
As a buyer of a small business, you likely won't encounter CUSIP numbers directly, as you're acquiring a private entity. This term is more relevant in public market transactions. If a business you're looking at has marketable securities as assets, their CUSIPs would identify them, but it's not a common concern for SBA buyers.
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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