Glossary · Doing the deal
In short
This is an initial assessment by a lender to see if you and the target business generally meet SBA loan requirements. It's a quick way to gauge feasibility before investing significant time and money.
A strong pre-qualification gives you confidence to proceed with an LOI and due diligence. Lenders look at your creditworthiness, experience, and the business's financial health. It's not a commitment, but it signals the lender's initial willingness to underwrite the deal. Provide accurate financials and your personal background upfront.
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.
Line up financing while you're under LOI
Tell us the business, the price, and your timeline — we'll match you with lenders who close deals like yours and flag anything that stalls the process.
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