FastWaySBA Introduces Pre-Screening Model as SBA Eliminates SBSS Benchmark
- With SBSS eliminated, SBA 7(a) approvals will become more variable and lender-specific, making outcomes less predictable for the same borrower profile.
- Underwriting timelines are likely to lengthen as banks implement proprietary scoring models and adjust internal risk frameworks.
- FastWaySBA’s enhanced pre-screening model aims to reduce avoidable declines by aligning borrower positioning and lender strategy before formal submission.
As the SBA lending market prepares for a major structural change, FastWaySBA is rolling out an enhanced pre-screening and advisory framework designed to help business owners navigate what could become a far less predictable approval environment.
The move comes in response to the recent decision by the U.S. Small Business Administration to eliminate the long-standing Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) requirement - a standardized screening benchmark historically used across the SBA 7(a) loan program.
For years, SBSS functioned as a universal credit gateway. While not the only underwriting factor, it created a consistent baseline that lenders used in early-stage evaluations. With that benchmark now removed, institutions must rely more heavily on proprietary internal credit models and risk overlays.
We expect three immediate consequences:
- Increased lender-to-lender variability in approval outcomes
- Longer underwriting timelines as banks refine internal scoring systems
- Greater uncertainty for borrowers submitting applications without strategic positioning
In practical terms, the same borrower profile could receive different decisions depending on which lender reviews the file. That dynamic introduces new complexity - particularly for acquisition financing, partner buyouts, expansion capital, and transactions involving global cash flow analysis.
FastWaySBA’s response is twofold: a structured SBA Pre-Qualification Review Model that evaluates borrower positioning before formal submission, and a new live advisory resource designed to educate business owners on underwriting expectations and lender alignment.
By identifying potential obstacles early - including debt service coverage weaknesses, liquidity gaps, credit composition issues, or loan structure misalignment - the goal is to reduce preventable declines and improve placement strategy in a decentralized underwriting environment.
As the SBA ecosystem transitions away from a standardized scoring framework, preparation and lender strategy are likely to become decisive factors in determining approval success in 2026 and beyond.
.svg)
.svg)
