SBAScore.com provides you with access to your business’s FICO SBSS score, the very same scoring model that banks and SBA lenders use to prescreen and evaluate SBA loan applications.

Our platform was created to empower business owners by giving them the ability to check their SBSS/ETRAN score instantly, before applying for financing. This is the score that lenders rely on to determine eligibility for SBA loans, and knowing it in advance allows you to strategically choose which banks or lenders to approach, increasing your odds of approval.

You can review this directly on our homepage.

A Note on Score Consistency: While we provide the same SBSS scoring model used by lenders, it’s important to understand that minor differences can occasionally occur. These are typically due to the timing of when the score is pulled or updates in your business or credit data. However, the score you receive from SBAScore.com is designed to be as close as possible to what lenders will see when you apply.

For a deeper dive into the SBSS score and its importance in the SBA loan process, check our blog: Why SBA Loans Matter - And Why Your SBSS Score is the First Step

Yes, your business partner’s credit score can affect your SBSS score, especially if they own 20% or more of the business. The SBSS score is a blended score that evaluates both the business’s financial health and the personal credit of its owners. Any individual who owns 20% or more of the business is typically required to provide a personal guarantee for SBA loans, and their credit profiles are factored into the overall assessment.

At SBAScore.com, we emphasize that the SBSS/ETRAN score is built from a combination of personal credit, business financials, industry data, and public records. As highlighted in our blog:

• “This is a blended score of business and owner personal credit, with underlying historical scoring based on industry loan performance averages.” (Understanding The Top Ways to Get an SBA Loan)
• "Key factors include personal credit, business deposits, profitability, industry code, and public records." (How to Improve ETRAN Score Before You Apply)

If your business has multiple owners, the personal credit of each partner with a significant ownership stake (generally 20% or more) will be reviewed and can impact the SBSS score. If one partner has a weaker credit profile, it may lower the overall score and affect loan eligibility.

In summary:

• The SBSS score incorporates the personal credit of all significant business owners (typically those with 20%+ ownership).
• A business partner’s credit score can positively or negatively influence your SBSS score and, by extension, your SBA loan eligibility.

For more details on how your SBSS score is calculated and how to improve it, visit our resources:

• Understanding The Top Ways to Get an SBA Loan
• How to Improve ETRAN Score Before You Apply

Banks can make different SBA loan decisions even when you have the same SBSS score because each lender has its own unique underwriting criteria and risk tolerance beyond just the score itself. I can confirm that while the SBSS score is a major factor in SBA loan eligibility, it is not the only consideration. Here’s why outcomes can differ:

1. Different Minimum Score Thresholds: Each SBA lender sets its own minimum SBSS score for approval. One bank may require a higher score than another, so you could be declined by one and approved by another with the same score.

2. Additional Underwriting Factors: Lenders also consider other elements, such as:

• Collateral and guarantees
• Cash flow and profitability
• Industry risk (NAICS code)
• Existing banking relationship
• Public records (liens, judgments, bankruptcies)

These factors can weigh differently from one lender to another, impacting the final decision even if your SBSS score is unchanged. For more on what banks look for, see our blog: Understanding The Top Ways to Get an SBA Loan.

3. Lender Preferences and Programs: Some banks specialize in certain industries or business types, and their approval criteria may reflect that focus. Others may have internal policies or portfolio limits that influence their willingness to approve certain loans.

Summary:

• Your SBSS score is crucial, but not the only factor.
• Each lender has its own approval standards and risk appetite.
• Matching with the right lender for your profile is key to getting approved.

The SBSS score updates as your personal and business credit data is reported to the major credit bureaus typically every 30 days or sooner. This means your SBSS score may change monthly, or even more frequently if there are multiple updates to your credit profiles in a short period. The timing depends on when your lenders report new information, such as payment history, balances, or new accounts. In short, your SBSS score is as dynamic as your underlying credit data and can update as often as your credit reports do.

If your SBA loan application was denied due to a low SBSS (SBSS/ETRAN) score, you don’t have to wait a set amount of time before reapplying. However, I strongly recommend that you take strategic steps to improve your score before submitting a new application.

Many business owners are able to boost their SBSS score and secure approval within 30–90 days by focusing on the key factors that influence the score:

• Personal credit (FICO score)
• Business bank deposits and profitability
• Credit utilization
• Industry code (NAICS)
• Public records (liens, judgments, bankruptcies)

Our blog post, Declined for Your SBSS/ETRAN Score?, explains that a low score is usually fixable with targeted changes, and many successful approvals happen within 90 days of making improvements. Another resource, How to Improve ETRAN Score Before You Apply, offers actionable steps to raise your score in as little as 30–90 days.

Recommendations:

• Review your SBSS score and identify areas for improvement.
• Address any weaknesses—such as increasing deposits, reducing credit utilization, or resolving public records.
• Use tools like the SBA Speed Score to estimate your progress before reapplying.

By taking these steps, you can often reapply successfully within 1–3 months, rather than waiting unnecessarily. 

Interest Rates:

• SBA loan interest rates are variable and are typically set at 2.75% to 4.75% above the current Prime Rate.
• As of January 2025, the Prime Rate is 7.5%, so SBA loan rates generally range from 10.25% to 12.25% depending on the lender and program.
• Rates are adjusted monthly based on changes to the Prime Rate.

Fees:

• SBA 7(a) loan guaranty fees returned on March 27, 2025, after a 13-year hiatus.
• For loans up to $150,000, the guaranty fee is 2% of the guaranteed portion.
• For larger loans, the fee increases in tiers, up to a maximum of 3.75%.
• Additional costs may include standard closing costs and possible servicing fees, depending on the lender.

For more details, you can visit the following FastWaySBA articles:

• Interest Rates on SBA Loans
• SBA Loan Guaranty Fees Are Back

1. For-Profit Business: Your business must operate for profit. Non-profit organizations are not eligible.
2. Meet SBA Size Standards: The business must meet the SBA’s size requirements, which vary by industry. Generally, this means being classified as a small business according to SBA definitions.
3. Invested Equity: Owners must have invested their own time or money into the business.
4. Exhausted Other Financing Options: Applicants must demonstrate that they have sought and been unable to obtain funding from other sources before applying for an SBA loan.
5. Business Operations: The business must operate in the United States.
6. Good Credit: A personal credit score of 650+ is often recommended for approval, and the business should be profitable.
7. Approved Uses of Funds: SBA loan funds can be used for land, equipment, inventory, renovations, working capital, and debt refinancing, but not for owner compensation or dividends.
8. Documentation: Applicants should be prepared to provide financial statements, tax returns, business plans, and other supporting documents.

Certain industries and business types may be excluded, such as those engaged in illegal activities or speculative investments.

Check out this article for more details. Understanding the SBA Requirements for Loans.

Yes, you can still qualify for an SBA loan even if you took Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) money last year, but there are important new rules to understand.

As of June 1, 2025, the SBA has updated its Standard Operating Procedures to prohibit SBA lenders from directly refinancing MCA debt. Specifically, the new rule states: “merchant cash advances and factoring agreements are not eligible for refinancing.” This means that if you have outstanding MCA debt, an SBA loan cannot be used to pay off that MCA directly.

However, your business is still eligible to apply for and potentially receive an SBA loan, even if you currently have one or more MCA loans. The key is that only certain SBA lenders are willing to consider applications from businesses with ongoing MCA obligations. These lenders will carefully review your business’s ability to handle both the existing MCA payments and the new SBA loan payments.

Before these new rules, it was common for SBA lenders to pay off MCA debt as part of the loan process, which often improved a business’s cash flow and approval odds. Now, with the direct payoff option removed, it’s even more important to work with the right lender who understands your situation and is open to working with businesses carrying MCA debt.

Every SBA loan application is unique, so if you’re considering applying with current MCA debt, we strongly recommend reaching out to our team at SBAScore.com. We can help you assess your eligibility and connect you with lenders most likely to approve your application under the new guidelines. If an SBA loan isn’t feasible, there may be alternative options such as consolidations, lines of credit, or conventional term loans.

Yes, your business partner’s credit score can affect your SBSS score, especially if they own 20% or more of the business. The SBSS score is a blended score that evaluates both the business’s financial health and the personal credit of its owners. Any individual who owns 20% or more of the business is typically required to provide a personal guarantee for SBA loans, and their credit profiles are factored into the overall assessment.

At SBAScore.com, we emphasize that the SBSS/ETRAN score is built from a combination of personal credit, business financials, industry data, and public records. As highlighted in our blog:

• “This is a blended score of business and owner personal credit, with underlying historical scoring based on industry loan performance averages.” (Understanding The Top Ways to Get an SBA Loan)
• "Key factors include personal credit, business deposits, profitability, industry code, and public records." (How to Improve ETRAN Score Before You Apply)

If your business has multiple owners, the personal credit of each partner with a significant ownership stake (generally 20% or more) will be reviewed and can impact the SBSS score. If one partner has a weaker credit profile, it may lower the overall score and affect loan eligibility.

In summary:

• The SBSS score incorporates the personal credit of all significant business owners (typically those with 20%+ ownership).
• A business partner’s credit score can positively or negatively influence your SBSS score and, by extension, your SBA loan eligibility.

For more details on how your SBSS score is calculated and how to improve it, visit our resources:

• Understanding The Top Ways to Get an SBA Loan
• How to Improve ETRAN Score Before You Apply

Yes, you can see your SBSS score through SBAScore.com without hurting your credit. I can confirm that our platform is specifically designed to provide business owners with instant access to their SBSS/ETRAN score in a way that is completely safe and has no impact on your personal or business credit, we conduct soft credit pulls.This means you can check your eligibility and understand your SBA loan prospects before applying, all without the risk of a hard inquiry or any negative effect on your credit profile.