Glossary · Reading the business
In short
Connections between individuals or businesses through debt, equity, or other financial relationships. These are important for the SBA to identify potential affiliations and conflicts of interest.
The SBA examines financial ties, such as loans between entities, shared investments, or common guarantors, to determine if businesses are affiliated. If you or the seller have significant financial ties to other businesses, these must be disclosed. This can affect the "size determination" of the business you're acquiring, potentially impacting loan eligibility.
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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