SBA Today

New Base Rates & Lending Rebound | Feb. 17, 2026 | SBA Today

This week on SBA Today, Paul and Tonya are joined by David Parrish, a 20-year SBA veteran and secondary market expert, for a deep dive into the massive regulatory and structural shifts hitting the industry in early 2026. From the strategic move to allow SOFR and Treasury base rates to the candid "insider" truth behind the agency's 53% headcount reduction, this episode is packed with the data and wisdom you need to navigate the current market.  We're breaking down:  The New Rate Revolution: Beginning March 1, 2026, the SBA is unlocking SOFR, 5-year, and 10-year Treasury base rates for variable 7(a) loans. David explains the "math in the sauce" behind secondary market pooling and how these rates provide a critical buffer against future market corrections. The 53% SBA Draw-Down: The 2025 Annual Report revealed a staggering loss of headcount. David provides a first-hand account of the "deferred resignation" and "early retirement" waves and what the loss of tenured wisdom means for the speed of SBA processing.   The Green Card Bombshell: A major procedural change now prohibits Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) from SBA loan eligibility starting March 1st. We discuss the potentially "devastating" impact on major markets like Florida, Texas, and California. FY26 Volume Check: Despite a five-week shutdown at the end of 2025, YTD 7(a) volume has already hit $10.2B. We analyze whether manufacturing initiatives like the MARC program can offset the loss of volume from newly ineligible borrowers.  Chapters: [00:00:00] Intro [00:03:31] The Rate Shift: SOFR, 5-Year, and 10-Year Treasury Options [00:09:48] Secondary Market Liquidity: Pooling the New Base Rates [00:13:08] The Exodus: Inside the 53% Headcount Reduction [00:23:32] YTD Volume: $10.2B and the Rebound from the Shutdown  [00:25:55] The Citizenship Mandate: Impact on LPR Borrowers  [00:31:05] Market Hotspots: The Florida and California Squeeze [00:43:57] Closing: Resiliency in the Small Business Ecosystem  This episode is sponsored by SBA Collective — empowering community banks and credit unions to compete and win in SBA lending.  ⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer. ⚠️

100% Citizen Ownership + Shutdown Déjà Vu | Feb. 3, 2026 | SBA Today

This week on SBA Today, Paul and Tonya tackle: 🛂 New Citizenship Mandate—what it means for Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders). 🏛️ Shutdown Status—the Senate passed the stopgap bill, and it's now in the House for a final vote. ⏳ The Shutdown Squeeze—a short shutdown creates a massive backlog that hits closings first. 🏗️ Permitting is a Problem—Period. 💡 The Execution Gap—Capital alone doesn't fix things. This episode is sponsored by SBA Collective — empowering community banks and credit unions to compete and win in SBA lending. Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily those of our employer.

SOP Updates + SBA's 2025 Annual Review | Jan. 27, 2026 | SBA Today

This week on SBA Today, Paul and Tonya are breaking down: 📑 The 1919 Exit: The SBA is moving toward a fully electronic submission experience, eventually eliminating the physical Form 1919 altogether. 🔍 SOP Updates: SBA is now requiring two months of commercial bank statements for 7(a) Small loans to verify real cash flow. ✅ Agency Slim-Down: In 2025, the SBA reduced its workforce by 54%, closed 19 underutilized offices, and cut agency credit card spending by over half. 🪪 Fraud & Security: SBA is now cross-checking loan applicants with DHS and Treasury databases to hunt down billions in stolen funds. ⏸SBLC Moratorium: The Community Advantage SBLC expansion is on hold after defaults doubled the standard portfolio. 💡 Mark your calendars: The 7(a) Underwriting Call is set for February 11th. This is a must-attend for lenders looking to stay compliant with the new cash-flow focus. 🎧 Catch the full episode for the deep dive into the 2025 Annual Report and what's next for SBA technology. This episode is sponsored by SBA Collective—empowering community banks and credit unions to compete and win in SBA lending. Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer.

New SBSS Guidelines Revealed + The Data Gap | Jan. 20, 2026 | SBA Today

The SBA just released the Procedural Notice on the new SBSS score guidelines, and the subtext is clear. This week, Paul and Tonya are breaking down: SBSS Sunsetting—Lenders must pivot to internal credit scoring models consistent with their non-SBA guaranteed loans. The "Hidden" Message: Paul explains that the SBA now wants a full analysis on every loan. Shutdown Déjà Vu: With appropriation talks stalling, a government shutdown is looming. Approvals vs. Disbursements: We welcome "Data Nerd" Nick Repertorio to discuss why SBA 7(a) lending isn't evenly distributed and why approval numbers don't always tell the full story of money out the door. 💡 Lender Tip: If your institution has been relying solely on consumer credit scores or the SBSS "Score and Go" method, you have until March to adopt a more robust internal analysis. 🎧 Catch the full episode for a deep dive into the data with Nick Repertorio. This episode is sponsored by SBA Collective — empowering community banks and credit unions to compete and win in SBA lending. Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer.

The Biggest SBA Underwriting Change of 2026 is Here | Jan. 13, 2026 | SBA Today

The SBA just dropped a massive update for 2026 that will completely change how small-dollar loans are underwritten. Paul and Tonya break down: SBSS Sunset: The Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) will be discontinued on February 28, 2026, for 7(a) Small loans at or below $350,000.  Lender Freedom: Lenders can now use their own existing scoring models to streamline small-dollar lending.  New Inspector General: William "Bill" Kirk has been sworn in as Inspector General, bringing over 30 years of experience to target fraud and restore agency integrity.  Red Tape Hotline: The SBA's new "Deregulation Strike Force" wants to hear from you at 1-800-827-5722 about which regulations need to go.  Market Shift: Pipelines are full, but banks are getting more conservative, putting post-closing liquidity and direct operating experience under a microscope. 💡 Mark your calendars: The next 7(a) Connect call is Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Noon (ET). Don't forget to use the new fee calculator released on January 6th to avoid MARC program errors! 🎧 Catch the full episode for the latest on why your 2026 pipeline might be getting a lot tighter.  This episode is sponsored by SBA Collective — empowering community banks and credit unions to compete and win in SBA lending.  ⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer. ⚠️