For SBA lenders
Short answer
The SBSS score requirement for 7(a) Small Loans sunsetted, meaning lenders must now use alternative credit analysis methods for these loans, focusing on traditional underwriting factors.
Effective August 1, 2023, the Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) score is no longer a mandatory threshold for 7(a) Small Loans (those $500,000 or less). Lenders must now rely on their own internal credit policies and traditional underwriting analysis to assess the creditworthiness of the borrower for these loans, ensuring prudent lending standards are met.
A lender previously used an SBSS score of 160 as an initial filter for a $350,000 7(a) Small Loan. Post-sunset, the lender now evaluates this loan based on the borrower's credit report, financial statements, and debt service coverage, as per their internal credit policy, without needing an SBSS score.
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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