Glossary · People and paperwork
Credit Check
In short
This is an examination of your personal credit history to assess your creditworthiness and repayment behavior. Lenders use it to evaluate your reliability in managing debt.
What it means in a deal
For an SBA loan, your personal FICO score and credit report are crucial. Lenders will perform a hard credit pull, and any derogatory marks, bankruptcies, or high debt-to-income ratios can significantly impact your loan eligibility or require further explanation.
Official sources
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA form
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Related terms
Common questions about Credit Check
- Does the SBA check my personal credit score directly when I apply?
- What kind of records does the SBA check about my personal background?
- Does the SBA check my personal background, like criminal history, for a loan?
- How do I check if a specific franchise system is eligible for SBA 7(a) financing?
- Does the SBA check for past defaults on federal debts, like student loans or prior SBA loans?
- When is a lender required to conduct a criminal background check for non-owner managers or key employees of an applicant business?
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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