{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-small-business-scoring-service","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/fico-small-business-scoring-service","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"fico-small-business-scoring-service","term":"FICO Small Business Scoring Service","aka":"SBSS","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This is a proprietary credit score for small businesses, often used by SBA lenders to pre-screen loan applicants. A strong score helps you pass the initial eligibility hurdle.","what_it_means":"Many SBA lenders use the SBSS score for preliminary screening. It combines personal credit data with business financial information. If your SBSS score is below the SBA's minimum threshold (which changes), your loan application may not proceed. Work with your lender to understand this requirement and how your profile measures up.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-small-business-scoring-service","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"credit-history","term":"Credit history","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-history"},{"slug":"fico-score","term":"FICO score","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-score"},{"slug":"sbss-score","term":"SBSS score","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sbss-score"},{"slug":"creditworthiness","term":"Creditworthiness","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/creditworthiness"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What alternative credit scoring methods are now recommended for 7(a) Small Loans after the SBSS sunset?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-alternative-credit-scoring-methods-are-now-recommended-for-7-a-small-loans-after-the-"},{"question":"With the sunset of the SBSS score, what alternative credit scoring methods are acceptable for small 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/with-the-sunset-of-the-sbss-score-what-alternative-credit-scoring-methods-are-acceptable-f"},{"question":"With the sunset of SBSS, what alternative credit scoring methodologies are acceptable for underwriting 7(a) Small Loans ($500,000 or less)?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/with-the-sunset-of-sbss-what-alternative-credit-scoring-methodologies-are-acceptable-for-u"},{"question":"What operational adjustments must a lender make to its internal credit scoring and underwriting processes for 7(a) Small Loans following the SBSS score sunset?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-operational-adjustments-must-a-lender-make-to-its-internal-credit-scoring-and-underwr"},{"question":"How much working capital is typically approved for a service business acquisition with minimal inventory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-much-working-capital-is-typically-approved-for-a-service-business-acquisition-with-min"},{"question":"Does the Small Business Administration (SBA) ever directly lend money to small businesses?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-small-business-administration-sba-ever-directly-lend-money-to-small-businesses"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — FICO Small Business Scoring Service","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fico-small-business-scoring-service","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}