Glossary · People and paperwork
SBA Business Development Officer(BDO)
In short
This is the lender's employee responsible for finding new loans and working with borrowers. They're your primary contact at the bank, guiding you through the SBA loan application.
What it means in a deal
A BDO is your advocate within the bank, helping you navigate the SBA 7(a) loan process. They'll collect your initial documents, answer questions, and present your deal to their credit committee. Choose a BDO who understands small business acquisitions and communicates clearly.
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 SBA Business Development Officer
- What is the role of an SBA Business Development Officer (BDO) in my loan process?
- What if the business I'm buying requires significant ongoing research and development?
- Can I use a conditional grant from a local economic development agency as equity?
- How are common officers or shared key employees between businesses evaluated for affiliation under SBA size standards?
- Beyond common officers/directors, how does a lender assess affiliation through "shared key employee functions" for SBA size standards?
- What specific scenarios involving shared directors, officers, or key employees constitute 'common management' triggering affiliation for SBA size determination?
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
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