Glossary · Doing the deal
In short
This is the SBA's assessment of whether a business and its owners meet the criteria for a 7(a) loan. It's a critical step; if you're not eligible, the loan won't happen.
Your lender performs this check based on SBA rules regarding business type, size, ownership, and use of proceeds. Be transparent about all aspects of the business and your background; any issues found during this determination can delay or derail your loan approval.
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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