CFR > Title 13 - Business Credit and Assistance > CHAPTER I—SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION > PART 120—BUSINESS LOANS > SUBPART A—Policies Applying to All Business Loans (§120.100 to §120.197) > 120.150—What are SBA's lending criteria?

120.150—What are SBA's lending criteria?

The applicant (including an Operating Company) must be creditworthy. Loans must be so sound as to reasonably assure repayment. SBA will consider:
(a) Character, reputation, and credit history of the applicant (and the Operating Company, if applicable), its Associates, and guarantors;
(b) Experience and depth of management;
(c) Strength of the business;
(d) Past earnings, projected cash flow, and future prospects;
(e) Ability to repay the loan with earnings from the business;
(f) Sufficient invested equity to operate on a sound financial basis;
(g) Potential for long-term success;
(h) Nature and value of collateral (although inadequate collateral will not be the sole reason for denial of a loan request); and
(i) The effect any affiliates (as defined in part 121 of this chapter) may have on the ultimate repayment ability of the applicant.