Is there a minimum credit score for an SBA loan?
Short answer
SBA sets no minimum credit score; the lender applies its own credit standards. SOP 50 10 8.1 states no numeric minimum. SBA also discontinued the FICO Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) score for 7(a) Small loans effective March 1, 2026 (SBA Procedural Notice 5000-876777).
SBA sets no minimum credit score; the lender applies its own credit standards. We searched SOP 50 10 8.1 for a numeric credit score floor and found none. Minimums you see quoted are lender policies, and they vary by lender.
What SBA does require
13 CFR § 120.150 says the applicant must be creditworthy and loans must be so sound as to reasonably assure repayment. Lenders may consider the credit score or credit history of the applicant, its Associates and guarantors. They may also consider cash flow, equity or collateralProperty a lender can take and sell if a loan is not repaid. .
The SBSS score is gone
SBA discontinued the FICO SBSS score for 7(a) Small loans effective March 1, 2026 (Procedural Notice 5000-876777). SBA no longer screens those applications with it.
Scoring models are optional
SBA Express lenders may use a business credit scoring model, but it cannot rely solely on consumer credit scores. It may only be used in addition to the lender's regular credit analysis (Sec. B, Ch. 2, Para. C.2).
Credit scores and the credit elsewhere test
A lender cannot cite its conventional credit score policy as the sole reason credit is not available elsewhere. See Sec. A, Ch. 1, Para. H.
On Standard 7(a) loans, the lender must review the personal credit reports of owners and guarantors (Sec. B, Ch. 1, Para. C.2).
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