Glossary · Reading the business
General intangible
In short
A general intangible is a broad category of business assets that lack a physical form but have value, such as intellectual property, goodwill, or customer lists. For an SBA loan, these assets are typically included as collateral, even if hard to value.
What it means in a deal
The SBA requires lenders to take a lien on all available business assets, including general intangibles. While these assets don't have a clear liquidation value, they are important for the overall value of the business. Understand which of these are critical to the business's ongoing operation.
Official sources
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 General intangible
- Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used for general business expansion?
- What are the general collateral requirements for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- What is the SBA's general requirement for lien position on business collateral?
- How does the SBA typically value intangible assets like customer lists or software for collateral?
- How does an SBA 7(a) loan handle intangible assets like intellectual property as collateral?
- Does the SBA take a lien on all business assets, even minor fixtures or intangible assets?
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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