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Most SBA loan rejections at the start of the process are because of a score that can be improved.
Getting turned down for an SBA loan because of your SBSS or ETRAN score feels like a hard stop—but it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve gotten that dreaded decline email or phone call, take a breath. The truth is, most SBA loan rejections at the start of the process are because of a score that can be improved.
Let’s break down what that score means, why it matters, and most importantly—what you can do next.
Your SBSS Score (also called your ETRAN score) is basically a secret formula the SBA uses to determine how “fundable” your business looks on paper.
It’s a number between 0 and 300.
To pass the first round of SBA loan screening, your score usually needs to be 140 or higher—and most preferred lenders want 160+.
What goes into it?
It’s like your business’s SAT score—but way less transparent.
Here’s the hard truth: lenders use the SBSS score to quickly filter applicants. If you don’t meet their minimum threshold, they often don’t even open your file.
That doesn’t mean you’re a bad business owner.
It just means your score didn’t tell the full story.
The good news? You can address all of these things.
Most SBA lenders won’t tell you the number they based their decision on. But you can get an accurate estimate of your SBSS score using the SBA Speed Score tool.
It takes about 2 minutes, doesn’t affect your credit, and gives you a pre-approval range.
That score is your roadmap. It tells you where you are—and how far you need to go.
Once you have a sense of where the issue is, you can start plugging the gaps.
If your personal credit is low:
Start paying down cards, avoid new inquiries, and make sure there are no late payments. Even a 20-point boost can help.
If your business isn’t showing profits:
Sometimes a one-time expense (like equipment or pandemic loss) skews your tax return. Work with a tax pro to file accurately and consider showing stronger interim financials.
If your deposits are low or inconsistent:
Start depositing all income into one main account. Avoid cash-heavy operations and show stable, predictable revenue over 3–6 months.
Got a tax lien?
Get into a payment plan and document it. Many lenders will consider you again once that’s in place.
Improving your score doesn’t have to take a year. With the right moves, many business owners improve their approval odds in 30–60 days.
That’s why prequalifying again—before you reapply—is key. Use SBAscore.com to see if you’re in the green.
Not all SBA lenders are the same.
Some rely more heavily on the SBSS score, while others take a more “human-underwritten” approach.
And some offer non-SBSS SBA loans—like real estate-backed loans or microloans under $50K—that have different criteria.
You might not need to “fix everything.” You just need the right lender that matches your profile.
Here’s the truth most people don’t hear:
Over 50% of SBA applicants who get declined for score-related issues can get approved within 90 days—with the right adjustments.
You just need a little guidance, a clear next step, and a willingness to try again.
Want to know where you stand before risking another decline?
Check your SBA Score in 2 minutes—
No credit pull, no cost, no commitment.
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