Glossary · Doing the deal
Underwrite
In short
The process where a lender assesses your creditworthiness and the business's financials to decide if they'll approve the loan. It determines if you're a good risk for the SBA 7(a) loan.
What it means in a deal
Your lender will scrutinize everything: your personal finances, credit history, the target business's cash flow, and collateral. Be prepared to provide comprehensive documentation. A strong underwriting package means a faster approval.
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 Underwrite
- How does a lender underwrite a business acquisition with existing deferred revenue or unearned income?
- How must lenders underwrite 7(a) Small Loans following the sunset of the SBSS score requirement?
- How does a lender underwrite the value of inventory included in an SBA 7(a) business acquisition?
- How does a lender underwrite a 7(a) business acquisition where a significant portion of the assets are intangible, such as proprietary software?
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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