Owners who understand how lenders evaluate businesses—long before they decide to sell—typically command stronger valuations, attract better-qualified buyers, and experience fewer surprises during due diligence.
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The Window Is Open: What Tampa-Clearwater Business Owners Need to Know About Selling in 2026
At Transworld M&A, we work with middle-market business owners across the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and greater Tampa Bay region every day.
Affordability – The E-2 Visa Strategy: Why Your Choice of Location is Your Best Business Asset
For many international investors, the initial instinct is to head for “brand name” states like California, New York, or Florida. However, savvy E-2 buyers are increasingly looking toward the South and Midwest.
The “Safe Bet” List: Top Franchises Ranked by Lowest SBA Default Rates
To keep the data reliable, we look at charge-offs—instances where the borrower couldn’t repay and the SBA had to pay the lender guarantee. We’ve also filtered this list to brands with over 25 loans. Why? Because a brand with only 2 loans and 0 defaults doesn’t have a large enough sample size to prove it’s a “safe bet.”
What does the SBA look at when deciding to loan on a business deal?
When an SBA lender evaluates a 7(a) loan application, they are essentially looking for a “sound” business case that minimizes the risk to the government, which guarantees a large portion of the loan.
Lenders focus on “The Five Cs of Credit” but through the specific lens of SBA regulations.