Glossary · Reading the business
In short
Refers to the length of time a business has been in operation or the period funds have been held in an account. Lenders prefer businesses with a longer operating history and require buyer funds to be "seasoned."
Lenders look for businesses with at least two years of consistent financial performance, which is a form of business "seasoning." Your equity injection funds also need to be seasoned, meaning they must have been in your control for at least 90 days to prove they aren't "round-tripped" or recently borrowed.
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.
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