Glossary · The loan itself
In short
The portion of your SBA loan that the Small Business Administration promises to pay the lender if you default. This guarantee reduces the lender's risk, making them more willing to lend.
The SBA doesn't lend directly; it guarantees a percentage (typically 75-90%) of the loan made by a bank. This guarantee doesn't protect you, the borrower, but it encourages lenders to provide capital for small businesses. You are still 100% responsible for the full loan amount.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
7(a) Loan Program — Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility
U.S. Small Business Administration · Official SBA source
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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