For years, small business owners seeking SBA loans have had to navigate the approval process with little more than hope and guesswork. Central to that confusion is the SBSS Score, a FICO-developed number used by lenders to assess SBA loan applicants. But while it's an important part of the process, it’s also opaque, inaccessible, and offers little actionable insight to business owners themselves.

That’s why the launch of the new Likelihood Score by SBAScore.com is such a game-changer—and frankly, a much-needed evolution in the world of small business financing.

Here’s why the Likelihood Score is better than the traditional SBSS Score—and what it means for business owners looking to obtain an SBA loan.

1. It’s Built for Borrowers, Not Banks

The SBSS Score was designed with lenders in mind. It’s an internal risk assessment tool, not something most business owners ever see—let alone understand. Worse, it can silently disqualify a borrower without any feedback or recourse.

The Likelihood Score,developed by SBASCORE.COM by contrast, is applicant-facing. It was developed specifically for entrepreneurs who want clarity before they apply. It empowers borrowers with a real probability of success, helping them understand their position in the market—before a lender pulls their credit or issues a rejection.

2. It Offers Real-World Approval Odds—Not Just a Credit Risk Metric

While the SBSS Score aggregates personal credit, business credit, and financials into a number, it doesn’t predict actual approval odds. It simply measures perceived risk based on outdated or generalized rules. It’s a piece of the puzzle, but not the full picture.

The SBA Likelihood Score, however, uses proprietary modeling that draws from real SBA loan outcomes, not just theoretical benchmarks. It incorporates:

Industry-specific SBA approval rates

• Real-time underwriting trends

• Revenue and cash flow analysis

• Common rejection triggers

• SBA lender behavioral patterns

• The result is a more accurate, realistic view of what your actual chances are—and how to improve them.

3. It Reveals the “Why” Behind the Score

One of the biggest frustrations with the SBSS Score is that it offers no transparency. A low score doesn’t come with an explanation—and lenders often can’t or won’t elaborate.

With the SBA Likelihood Score, clarity is baked in. Users not only see their score, but also:

What’s helping or hurting them

• How their profile compares to successful applicants

• What steps can meaningfully improve their odds

• It’s not just a score—it’s a strategic tool.

4. It Puts the Power Back in the Hands of the Business Owner

The SBSS Score can quietly stop your SBA loan before you even get started. In fact, some lenders auto-deny applicants with scores below a certain threshold—without ever talking to them.

The SBA Likelihood Score flips that model. It’s self-service, transparent, and designed to be your first step—not your last hope. It allows you to test the waters, refine your application, and only move forward when you’re truly ready.

No more flying blind.

5. It Reflects Today’s Lending Climate

The SBA loan market has changed. In FY 2024 alone, SBA loan approvals rose 22%, crossing 100,000 loans and over $56 billion in guarantees. But approval trends, lender preferences, and economic conditions evolve quickly—and static scores like SBSS can’t keep up.

The SBA Likelihood Score is dynamic. It evolves as the market does, adapting to new data and lender behavior. This means you get up-to-date insight in a volatile credit environment—something the SBSS Score simply can’t provide.

For too long, small business owners have been kept in the dark by credit models that weren’t built for them. The SBA Likelihood Score changes that. It’s transparent, intelligent, and designed to guide—not gatekeep—the SBA loan process.

Whether you're expanding, refinancing, or investing in new equipment, knowing your true SBA loan approval odds is the first step. And now, thanks to SBAScore.com, that step is finally within reach.

👉 Ready to see where you stand? Visit www.SBAScore.com to check your SBA Likelihood Score today.