Glossary · Reading the business
In short
This is a record of how consistently and on time a business (or individual) has made past debt payments. Lenders review it to assess creditworthiness and repayment capacity.
Your personal payment history (credit score) and the business's historical debt repayment are crucial for SBA loan approval. Lenders will examine both to gauge your ability to manage debt. Any derogatory marks or a poor business payment history can make underwriting challenging. Ensure all financial records are accurate and explain any anomalies upfront.
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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