Glossary · People and paperwork
Shared Economic Interest
In short
When individuals or entities stand to gain financially from the same business or transaction. The SBA uses this to determine affiliation and eligibility.
What it means in a deal
The SBA analyzes shared economic interests to see if multiple businesses are "affiliated," potentially exceeding size standards or creating conflicts. Be transparent about all your business interests and relationships, as undisclosed affiliations can jeopardize your loan eligibility.
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.
Related terms
Common questions about Shared Economic Interest
- Under what conditions does a shared economic interest trigger affiliation for SBA size standard purposes?
- How do potential conflicts of interest with the seller, like shared services, affect approval?
- How does a lender determine affiliation for size purposes when evaluating common economic dependence?
- Can I use a conditional grant from a local economic development agency as equity?
- Are businesses with shared facilities or equipment considered affiliated for SBA size standards?
- When does a shared resource agreement create affiliation for SBA size standard calculations?
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.