Glossary · Reading the business
In short
Any financial stake, ownership, or benefit that an individual or entity has in a business. For an SBA loan, these must be fully disclosed to identify potential conflicts or affiliations.
The SBA scrutinizes economic interests to determine if entities are "affiliated," which can impact eligibility and size standards. This includes ownership stakes, profit-sharing arrangements, and rights to acquire ownership. You and the seller must disclose all relevant economic interests to avoid issues with the SBA's affiliation rules.
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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