Glossary · Reading the business
In short
This refers to the money you have coming in and going out personally each month. Lenders assess it to ensure you can cover personal expenses and still contribute to the business if needed.
Lenders evaluate your global cash flow, which includes both the business's projected cash flow and your personal cash flow. They want assurance that you won't be financially stressed outside the business, which could jeopardize loan repayment. Your tax returns provide key insights into this.
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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