Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
Conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty, or good morals. SBA considers convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude when assessing a borrower's character and loan eligibility.
Convictions for offenses like fraud, embezzlement, or serious violent crimes are typically considered crimes of moral turpitude. If you or any key principal has such a conviction, it can disqualify you from getting an SBA loan. The SBA requires full disclosure on Form 1919 and will investigate.
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA form
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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