Glossary · Reading the business
In short
These are assets owned by the business that aren't critical for its daily operations or revenue generation, such as excess cash or personal vehicles.
When buying a business, identify any non-essential assets the seller might want to keep or that could be removed from the deal. These assets can complicate valuation and collateral analysis for your SBA loan, as the lender focuses on assets crucial for business continuity.
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.
Pressure-test the numbers before you make an offer
Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.
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