Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
An SBA principle where all relevant factors are considered together to determine if an affiliation exists, not just one isolated factor. This matters because affiliation can impact a business's eligibility for an SBA loan.
When assessing eligibility, the SBA looks at ownership, management, and contractual relationships. No single factor is decisive; they weigh everything to see if businesses are effectively controlled by the same parties. As a buyer, ensure your deal structure doesn't inadvertently create affiliation with an ineligible business or exceed size standards.
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.
Know what you'll need before you apply
Tell us about the deal and who's buying — we'll flag the guaranty, eligibility, and paperwork issues that slow SBA approval before they cost you time.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day