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In our first look at the Change of Ownership changes in SBA SOP 50 10 8.1, we focused on financial statements, DSC, Quality of Earnings, and equity. But even when the cash flow works, the deal still has to be structured correctly. And Appendix 15 includes several changes that affect loan terms, debt structure, collateral, seller involvement and even delivery method. These are the details that can turn into big issues if they are discovered too late.

Just when your team was getting comfortable with SBA SOP 50 10 8, another SBA SOP update is on the way. SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 becomes effective October 1, 2026, and Change of Ownership transactions are getting significant attention. In fact, SBA has created an entire appendix—Appendix 15—specifically for 7(a) Changes of Ownership. So, what do lenders really need to know? First, Know What Type of Deal You Have SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 divides Change of Ownership transactions into four ca

Which should you search as part of your SBA underwriting process? CAIVRS or SAM.gov? Both, because they serve different purposes. It’s one of the most common questions we hear as part of our SBA consulting services. And with SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 taking effect October, 1, 2026, now is a good time for lenders to make sure their procedures reflect the new requirements. Today’s loans can involve multiple owners, holding companies, Eligible Passive Companies (EPCs), Operating Compan

Here a checklist, there a checklist, everywhere a checklist! Department-specific checklists are essential. They focus on the specific responsibilities of that specific department or team. So an underwriting checklist focuses on eligibility, repayment ability, and collateral. Closing verifies documentation and funding conditions. Servicing monitors insurance, payments, reviews, and modifications. And so on.

Lori’s current SBA-geek fun: facilitating a monthly SBA Form 1502 Roundtable, with over 50 participants from 25 different Lenders. From our experience working with clients and from what we hear from Lenders at the Roundtable, there are four primary early-warning signs of SBA Form 1502 reporting trouble. All of them relate to mismatches between Lender and FTA records.

AI can be a useful tool for SBA Lenders, helping reduce the time spent organizing information and drafting credit memos. It can summarize documents, identify trends, and create first (emphasis on first, please) drafts in minutes. But the rule everyone should remember is: TRUST BUT VERIFY. (We’ve all seen news reports of various professionals relying on AI and not verifying, only to be caught out with fictional references and other career-ending problems!)

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping how small businesses operate. From automating routine tasks to improving decision-making, AI is changing how companies work, compete, and generate revenue. As an SBA Lender, have you considered how technology may affect Borrower performance – and how that might shift your long-term SBA portfolio strategy?

Managing SBA Chapter 11 Bankruptcies The hard economic reality right now is that small business bankruptcies are on the rise. So let’s look at what you can do to prepare your SBA Lending team to protect the guaranty, control costs, and maintain SBA compliance while meeting evolving SBA lender requirements. As Benjamin Franklin said so long ago, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In SBA 7(a) Lending, you obviously have to focus on the factors that make a loan eligible. Business acquisition, partner buyout, equipment purchase, working capital – these criteria matter for compliance and eligibility. But those criteria, while important, aren’t the only factors that determine whether a deal succeeds. As SBA Lender service providers and consultants, we recognize that all loans are unique unto themselves.

There were a lot of U.S. bank mergers & acquisitions (M&As) in 2025 – over 170, according to American Banker, which is a significant increase from prior years – and there are still more pending as we go into the new year.

Effective March 1st, 2026, SBA will no longer allow the use of FICO®’s Small Business Scoring Service to screen 7(a) small loans (loans up to $350,000). Instead – as has been an observable trend for over a year now – SBA is re-emphasizing that Lenders must return to traditional commercial credit analysis in alignment with how their non-SBA commercial loans are evaluated and underwritten, as outlined in the SBA SOP 50 10 8.

Your SBA lending program is only as strong as your team – and in today’s highly-regulated and definitely fast-changing environment, success depends on your team’s collective understanding of the entire SBA loan lifecycle. And that’s where SBA Lender training – including cross-functional training – become more essential than ever.

There are two primary ways Lenders run into trouble with loan originations. The first – Screen-Outs – applies only during General Processing (GP) submissions. The second – Compliance Code Holds – occurs within the automated SBA compliance engine, applying to both GP and Preferred Lender Program (PLP) submissions.

Collateral Oversight and the Cost of Missed Recoveries When a Borrower’s loan is in trouble, collateral is a whole lot more than a checkbox on your to-do list. It’s a foundational element in SBA’s expectation that you, as a Lender, will take appropriate action to maximize recovery and minimize loss. If you’re not careful to safeguard collateral and manage liquidation, you risk losing out on expected financial recovery. And when SBA reviews your servicing practices and decides

SBA is clear: if you don’t document equity injection according to their requirements, you risk repair and potentially even denial of your SBA guaranty. For Lenders, the key to staying in compliance often comes down to having strong processes, practical guidance and the right support in place. That’s where lender consulting services and structured SBA lender training can make all the difference.

Disbursing funds for an SBA 7(a) loan isn’t just about getting the money to the Borrower. It’s about doing it right, so you stay well within SBA compliance rules. SBA’s SOP 50 10 8, effective June 1st, 2025, includes specific guidance on disbursement rules and required documentation. Here’s what you need to know, so you’ll stay compliant every step of the way.

We all know the rules around ownership changes can get a little tricky, especially when navigating SBA guidelines for lenders. But here’s the good news: the SBA made some helpful updates in SOP 50 10 8. Whether you're financing a full buyout or just shifting ownership between partners, these changes are worth knowing. Let’s break down what’s new.

Too often, loan changes occur—whether minor borrower updates or significant structural modifications—without being fully reflected in E-Tran. That oversight can result in servicing issues, audit flags, or worse: denial of the SBA guarantee. Here’s why every lender should treat E-Tran updates as an important part of their SBA loan servicing workflow.

The Office of Credit Risk Management (OCRM) picked your SBA portfolio to conduct an audit. It could be due to anything from a random...

We often see Lenders forget to take advantage of the support a Lender Service Provider (LSP) can offer. So, when should you lean on an...