Glossary · The loan itself
In short
For SBA loan purposes, a small business is defined by specific size standards, usually based on average annual revenue or number of employees, which vary by industry.
To qualify for an SBA 7(a) loan, the business you are acquiring must meet the SBA's definition of a "small business." This is a critical eligibility requirement. Your lender will check the NAICS code of the business against the SBA's size standards to ensure compliance.
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.
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