Glossary · The loan itself
In short
This refers to the portion of your loan that the SBA guarantees to the lender. It's the maximum amount the SBA would pay the lender if you default.
The SBA doesn't lend directly to you for a 7(a) loan; they guarantee a percentage to your lender, typically 75% or 85%. This guarantee reduces the lender's risk, making it easier for you to get financing. Understand that you are still 100% responsible for the full loan amount.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
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.
See which SBA lenders would fund your deal
Tell us the business, the price, and where you are — we'll point you to the lenders most likely to approve a 7(a) like yours and flag what trips up approval.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day