Glossary · The loan itself
In short
This is the total length of time, in years, over which you're required to repay a loan. A longer maturity term generally means lower monthly payments.
For SBA 7(a) loans, the maximum maturity term is typically 10 years for business acquisition loans and 25 years if real estate is included. A longer term reduces your monthly debt service, improving your cash flow after debt service and DSCR. Negotiate the longest possible term to maximize financial flexibility.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
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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