Glossary · People and paperwork
Internal credit policy
In short
This is a bank's own set of rules and guidelines for assessing loan applications, separate from SBA requirements. Lenders must meet both their own and the SBA's standards.
What it means in a deal
Even if a deal meets all SBA eligibility criteria, it must also satisfy the specific lender's internal credit policy. These policies can vary significantly between banks and might include stricter FICO score minimums, DSCR requirements, or industry preferences. Work with a lender whose policies align with your deal's strengths.
Related terms
Common questions about Internal credit policy
- What information on SBA Form 1919 must be consistent with the lender's internal credit memo and E-Tran?
- What specific information on SBA Form 1919 must be consistent with the lender's internal credit memo and E-Tran submission?
- What operational adjustments must a lender make to its internal credit scoring and underwriting processes for 7(a) Small Loans following the SBSS score sunset?
- What are the SBA's current policy expectations for documentation of a lender's independent credit analysis for 7(a) Small Loans?
- What if a lender's internal loan review discovers a potential eligibility issue post-closing?
- Can an SBA loan finance a partner buyout if we've only used an internal valuation?
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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