Glossary · Reading the business
In short
This is the combined cash flow from the business you're buying and your personal income and debts. Lenders use it to assess your total capacity to repay all outstanding obligations, including your new SBA loan.
Your SBA lender will look at the business's projected cash flow alongside your personal income from all sources and all outstanding personal and business debts. Ensure you provide accurate personal financial statements and tax returns. This comprehensive view determines if you meet the loan's overall repayment capacity requirements.
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.
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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