Glossary · Reading the business
CUSIP number
In short
A unique alphanumeric code identifying U.S. and Canadian securities. It's like a serial number for publicly traded stocks and bonds.
What it means in a deal
As a buyer of a small business, you likely won't encounter CUSIP numbers directly, as you're acquiring a private entity. This term is more relevant in public market transactions. If a business you're looking at has marketable securities as assets, their CUSIPs would identify them, but it's not a common concern for SBA buyers.
Related terms
Common questions about CUSIP number
- Does my business need to have been operating for a certain number of years?
- Does the SBA have requirements for the minimum number of employees a business must have?
- Does the SBA 7(a) loan program have a requirement for a minimum number of employees?
- What is the maximum number of years I can take to repay an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Is there a minimum number of years my business must be operating to get an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Does my business need to have a certain number of employees to qualify for an SBA 7(a) loan?
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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