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Glossary · People and paperwork

Lender certification

In short

This is a formal statement by your lender confirming they've met all SBA requirements for your loan. It's a crucial step before the SBA issues its guarantee.

What it means in a deal

The lender certifies that they've followed all SBA rules, including credit underwriting, eligibility checks, and proper documentation. As a buyer, this certification is important because it confirms your loan is eligible for the SBA guaranty, which protects the lender and makes the loan possible.

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.

Common questions about Lender certification

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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.

Know what you'll need before you apply

Tell us about the deal and who's buying — we'll flag the guaranty, eligibility, and paperwork issues that slow SBA approval before they cost you time.

Free · No documents · Usually same-day

Backed by data on 1,000+ SBA lenders and 300,000+ funded deals. Your details go only to lending partners you ask to be matched with — never sold to advertisers.

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