<p>Information asymmetry complicates lenders’ decision-making processes and makes it difficult for them to qualify borrowers. However, lenders use due diligence and various hard and soft signals to identify quality loan applications. To make credit decision-making more transparent, our study examines the effect of management and financial information quality signals on loan officers’ perception of a small business loan application quality during the due diligence phase. Analyzing quantitative data collected from 193 loan officers in Ghana, the study’s results show that signals such as the ability to adapt to change, preparedness for a change in leadership, the ability of small firms to defend information about the business to lenders adequately, and accurate and complete records signal good management and financial information quality and significantly improve loan officers’ perception of the quality of the loan application. The implication for small firm lending theory and practice is discussed.</p>