Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
This is the legal entity that owns the promissory note and is entitled to receive payments from the borrower. It's typically the lender who originated your SBA loan.
The lender you work with will be the initial Holder of the Note, meaning they legally own your debt. While the SBA guarantees a portion of the loan, the lender remains the primary party you deal with for payments, servicing, and any loan modifications. It's important to know who holds your note for all official communications.
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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