For SBA lenders
Short answer
Following the SBSS sunset, lenders must utilize their own internal credit scoring models or traditional credit analysis methods for 7(a) Small Loans, adhering to prudent lending standards.
With the sunset of the Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) score requirement for 7(a) Small Loans, lenders are now fully responsible for demonstrating creditworthiness using their established underwriting processes. This includes comprehensive cash flow analysis, review of borrower and business credit reports, financial statements, and other traditional credit factors, all documented to show prudent lending.
For a $300,000 7(a) Small Loan, a lender would no longer rely on a minimum SBSS score. Instead, the credit analyst would perform a detailed cash flow analysis, review the borrower's personal and business credit history, analyze tax returns, and assess industry risk, documenting all findings in the credit memorandum to justify the loan decision.
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 2026-06-13. 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.
More on sbss sunset
Terms in this answer
Pre-qualify your SBA 7(a) deal
Tell us the business, the price, and where you are — we'll point you to the lenders most likely to fund a deal like yours and flag anything that trips up approval.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day