SBA 7(a) Q&A
Short answer
Verifying foreign funds requires translated bank statements, proof of fund origin, and documentation of the legal transfer to a U.S. account, adhering to anti-money laundering regulations.
Lenders must verify the source and legitimacy of all funds, especially those from foreign accounts. This includes requesting official bank statements (often requiring certified translation), proof of how the funds were accumulated (e.g., salary, sale of property), and wire transfer confirmations to the borrower's U.S. bank account. Compliance with BSA/AML regulations is critical.
A buyer uses $70,000 from a personal account in Canada. The lender asks for 6 months of Canadian bank statements with certified English translations, and the wire transfer confirmation showing the funds moved to the buyer's U.S. bank account.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Procedural Notice 5000-876626 - Revised Applicant Ownership, Citizenship and Residency
Last checked 2026-06-14. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-14. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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