Glossary · Doing the deal
Partial Acquisition
In short
This is when a buyer only purchases a portion of a business, rather than the entire entity. The SBA 7(a) loan program generally requires a complete acquisition of an existing business.
What it means in a deal
SBA 7(a) loans are primarily for acquiring 100% of an existing eligible business. While there are limited exceptions for certain partner buyouts, generally a Partial Acquisition is not eligible. You must acquire the entire operational entity to qualify for an acquisition loan.
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 Partial Acquisition
- How does a seller note on *partial* standby affect my required equity injection for an acquisition?
- What are the requirements for a seller note to be structured with partial standby for a business acquisition?
- Can a seller note for a $1,000,000 acquisition be on partial standby for the SBA 7(a) loan?
- Can a seller note for a $1,000,000 business acquisition be on partial standby for the SBA 7(a) loan?
- How does partial standby treatment affect a seller's note for eligibility?
- Can a seller note on partial standby count towards the required equity injection?
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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