
The Ultimate Commercial Loan Due Diligence Checklist: 100 Critical Questions Lenders Must Ask
Why This Checklist Matters In today’s volatile economy, 1 in 3 small business loans default within 5 years. As a lender, asking the right questions upfront can mean the difference between a profitable portfolio and catastrophic losses. This 100-point due diligence framework—refined from 20+ years of cross-border lending—helps you spot risks early and structure safer deals. Key Due Diligence Categories (Condensed for actionable insights) 1. Industry & Market Risks (10 Critical Qs) 🔹 Sector Viability: 🔹 Competitive Positioning: 2. Ownership & Governance Red Flags (12 Qs) 🔹 Shadow Control Risks: 🔹 Management Gaps: 3. Financial Statement Forensic Analysis (25 Qs) 🔹 Cash Flow Truth-Testing: 🔹 Debt Traps: 4. Collateral & Legal Pitfalls (15 Qs) 🔹 Asset Verification: 🔹 Contract Loopholes: Case Study: The $2M Loan That Almost Went Bad Client: A...