Glossary · Reading the business
In short
A general intangible is a broad category of business assets that lack a physical form but have value, such as intellectual property, goodwill, or customer lists. For an SBA loan, these assets are typically included as collateral, even if hard to value.
The SBA requires lenders to take a lien on all available business assets, including general intangibles. While these assets don't have a clear liquidation value, they are important for the overall value of the business. Understand which of these are critical to the business's ongoing operation.
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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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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