Glossary · Your money in the deal
Cash equity
In short
This is the portion of your down payment that comes directly from your personal cash or seasoned funds, not from other loans or retirement rollovers. It's a fundamental part of your equity injection.
What it means in a deal
The SBA requires a minimum equity injection, and a significant portion must be "unencumbered" cash or seasoned funds. Lenders want to see your personal commitment through cash equity, demonstrating your financial stake and reducing their risk. This often comes from personal savings.
Official sources
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.
Related terms
Common questions about Cash equity
- Is there a minimum cash portion for the equity injection?
- Is my equity injection (down payment) always required to be cash?
- How does the SBA define 'unencumbered cash' for equity injection purposes?
- Besides cash, what non-cash assets can I contribute to meet the 10% equity injection for an $800,000 acquisition?
- Besides cash and seller notes, what other buyer contributions qualify for equity?
- What forms of non-cash contributions can count towards the equity injection?
Defined by CapBench 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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