SBA Procedural Notice 5000-875701, published January 16, formally sunset the FICO SBSS score for 7(a) Small Loans and rewrote the underwriting requirements in SOP 50 10 8. Those rules applied to all 7(a) Small Loans approved on or after March 1, 2026.
In practice, that meant more file work and less “score and go.” Lenders had to underwrite the business the old-fashioned way: cash flow, time in business, use of proceeds, and documentation. For restaurant, construction, health-care, and other Main Street borrowers, a thin package that used to squeeze through on a score could stall.
What business owners should do
If you are considering SBA financing, bring complete tax returns, interim financials, and a clear use of proceeds. The program is still one of the better tools for owner-occupied real estate, equipment, and certain acquisitions. It is no longer a score-driven shortcut.
Sources: SBA Procedural Notice 5000-875701; NAGGL (Jan. 17, 2026).