Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
The official owner of a security or asset, as recorded in the company's books or with a transfer agent. This confirms who legally owns what in an acquisition.
In an asset purchase, you become the holder of record for the acquired business assets. In a stock purchase, you become the holder of record for the company's shares. Verifying the seller's status as the true holder of record is critical during due diligence to ensure a legitimate transfer of ownership.
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.
Know what you'll need before you apply
Tell us about the deal and who's buying — we'll flag the guaranty, eligibility, and paperwork issues that slow SBA approval before they cost you time.
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