Glossary · The loan itself
In short
These are the specific criteria and policies a lender uses to evaluate a loan applicant's creditworthiness and the viability of the business. Meeting these standards is essential for loan approval.
Every SBA 7(a) lender has "underwriting standards" that must align with "SOP 50 10" and 13 CFR Part 120. They assess your "creditworthiness," "repayment capacity," and the business's "cash flow." You need to present a strong case meeting these standards, which include FICO scores, DSCR, and equity injection requirements.
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