For SBA lenders
Short answer
The sunset of the SBSS score requirement means lenders no longer rely on a minimum SBSS score for 7(a) Small Loans ($500,000 or less) and must instead perform a documented credit analysis.
Effective August 1, 2023, the SBA sunset the Small Business Scoring System (SBSS) score requirement for 7(a) Small Loans. Lenders now must apply prudent lending standards and perform a comprehensive credit analysis for all 7(a) loans, regardless of size, documenting their credit decision in a credit memo, rather than relying on a specific SBSS score threshold.
A lender is underwriting a $200,000 7(a) Small Loan. Before the sunset, they would have checked the applicant's SBSS score. Now, they focus on a full analysis of the borrower's cash flow, credit history, management experience, and collateral, documenting their findings in a detailed credit memorandum.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
Sunset of SBSS Score for 7(a) Small Loans
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. 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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