For SBA lenders
Short answer
Lenders must now perform a comprehensive, documented credit analysis, including evaluation of credit scores (from various bureaus), financial ratios, historical cash flow, and projections, without reliance on a single SBSS score.
With the sunset of the SBSS score for 7(a) Small Loans, lenders are required to conduct a thorough credit analysis using multiple data points and traditional underwriting methods. This aligns with prudent lending standards, focusing on the borrower's overall creditworthiness and business viability.
A lender is underwriting a $200,000 7(a) Small Loan. Instead of relying on an SBSS score, the credit analyst pulls credit reports from Experian and Equifax, reviews the borrower's global cash flow, analyzes the business's last three years of tax returns, and scrutinizes projected cash flow, documenting all findings in the credit memo.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Sunset of SBSS Score for 7(a) Small Loans
Last checked 2026-06-14. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-14. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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