SBSS Score

Calculate Your SBSS Score

The SBSS score ranges from 0 to 300, with higher scores indicating lower credit risk. A score closer to 300 reflects stronger creditworthiness.

For SBA 7(a) Small Loans (loans of $350,000 or less) lenders are required to pre-screen applications using the SBSS score. The current minimum score required for automatic prescreening approval is 155, but each SBA Bank has their own minimum score. Depending on the bank, these minimum scores can range anywhere from 160 to 200.

If your score is below this threshold, it doesn’t automatically disqualify your application. Instead, your loan may be considered through a manual underwriting process, where additional factors—such as business financials or collateral—can be evaluated to determine eligibility.

Learn how the SBSS Score is calculated and key facts to know.

Find out how to see your SBSS Score

Know how to improve your score and get approved for an SBA loan

Get matched with SBA lenders likely to approve you

SBA 7(a) Simplified

Loan Amount

$50K – $350K

Loan Term

10 years

SBSS Score

160+

Best For

Small Businesses

SBSS Score: a deciding factor for SBA Approvals

Lenders have flexibility in how they use the SBSS model. They can choose which data sources to prioritize—for example, giving more weight to business credit reports or personal credit history. The model is also designed to be adaptive. If insufficient data is available from one source (e.g., Experian), it can automatically retrieve data from another (e.g., Dun & Bradstreet).

Consumer credit data may come from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion, while business credit data may be pulled from Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, or Equifax SBFE. Application inputs might include cash flow, business checking balances, time in operation, and the owner’s combined net worth.

Because lenders can pull from different data sets and customize the scoring model, your business doesn’t have a single fixed SBSS score. Your score can also change over time as your personal or business credit profiles are updated.

According to FICO, the personal credit history of the business owners is typically the most influential factor, followed by business credit data, financials, and application information.

Even if your business has limited credit history or is relatively new, a strong personal credit profile may still result in a qualifying SBSS score. That said, robust business credit and financial data can improve your score and increase your approval odds.

Key Facts About the FICO SBSS Score

Prescreening Threshold: A minimum score of 155 is required to pass the SBA’s mandatory prescreen for 7(a) Small Loans

Lender Cutoffs: Most lenders set their own minimum thresholds, often between 160-200

Credit Profile Impact: Timely payments and a well-established credit history—both personal and business—can improve your score

Time to Build: If your credit profile contains negative marks or is limited, it may take several months (or longer) of consistent positive activity to meaningfully raise your score

Disclosure Limitations: Since business credit scores are not protected under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, lenders are not required to notify you if your SBSS score was used in a financing decision, nor must they disclose the score itself

Score Range: 0–300 (higher scores indicate lower risk)

What are the 5 Categories of the FICO Score?

FICO credit scores are based on five main categories of information from your credit report

Payment History (35%)

Credit Utilization (30%)

Length of Credit History (15%)

New Credit/Inquiries (10%)

Credit Mix (10%)

Payment history carries the most weight in determining your credit score. This includes your record of on-time payments on accounts like credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages, as well as any negative marks such as late payments, collections, or bankruptcies. If your credit report includes late payments or other derogatory information, keep in mind that the impact of these items generally lessens over time. Most negative entries eventually fall off your credit report—typically after seven years.
‍Credit utilization is another major factor. This refers to how much of your available credit you're currently using, particularly on revolving accounts like credit cards. High utilization ratios can lower your score, but the good news is that this factor is relatively easy to improve. Paying down your balances, requesting credit limit increases, or strategically shifting balances between accounts can quickly reduce your utilization and positively affect your score.

Try Our SBA 7(a) Loan Calculator

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Loan Amount

$30K $500K

Loan Term

10 years (fixed)

Interest Rate

10.25%

Monthly Payment
$1,670

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Who Uses the FICO SBSS Score?

The SBSS score is used by over 7,500 lenders across the U.S. to assess the credit risk of small businesses. It is particularly critical in the SBA loan process—SBA 7(a) lenders are required to use the SBSS score to prescreen Small Loan applications (loans of $350,00 or less, excluding SBA Express and similar programs).

The latest version, SBSS 7.0, supports loan assessments for:

Term loans and lines of credit up to $1 million
Equipment leasing transactions up to $250,000

Although the SBA sets a minimum score of 155 for prescreening, banks often use stricter criteria, setting their internal minimum scores between 160 - 200 for automatic approval consideration.

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How Do I Improve my SBSS Score?

Gain visibility on what you score is currently at with SBAscore.com.

Understand your current options and what factors are contributing to your score.

Follow our guide to improving your SBSS score and financial qualifications. Read more here.

Do I Qualify?

Much like your personal FICO score affects your ability to get approved for credit, your business’s FICO SBSS score plays a critical role in determining your eligibility for small business financing.
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Qualification for an SBA loan isn't complicated — but there are some restrictions based on industry and credit history. Find out if you're eligible for an SBA loan, and prepare your business for the best chance of approval.

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