SBA 7(A) & 504 LENDING · SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
SBA Issues SOP 50 10 8.1 Ahead of October 1 Transition
The SBA's August 14 notice says SOP 50 10 8.1 will govern 7(a) and 504 applications receiving an SBA loan number on or after October 1, with updates involving change-of-ownership lending, SBA Express, and same-institution debt refinancing.
What the SBA notice establishes
The U.S. Small Business Administration published Information Notice 5000-880695 on August 14, 2026. It says SOP 50 10 8.1 becomes effective October 1, 2026, and applies to 7(a) and 504 applications issued an SBA loan number on or after that date. SBA lenders and employees are directed to continue using SOP 50 10 8.0 for applications submitted through September 30.
- 01Confirm the governing SOP
- 02Review ownership and refinance rules
- 03Allow time for updated documentation
What the update highlights
The notice says the new SOP builds on lending criteria reintroduced in SOP 50 10 8.0. It places change-of-ownership lending updates in Appendix 15 and adds flexibility for SBA Express and same-institution debt refinancing. It also incorporates several policy and procedural notices issued since SOP 50 10 8.0, including changes involving ownership and residency, loan-limit coordination, alternate base rates, and the sunset of the SBSS score for 7(a) Small Loans. The SBA advises users to read the full SOP, and notes that lenders must collect required information and certifications even while application forms are being updated.
Practical borrower takeaway
If a proposed acquisition, refinance, or owner-occupied real-estate transaction may cross the October 1 transition, ask the participating lender which SOP and forms will apply based on the expected SBA loan-number date. Recheck ownership, citizenship or residency, equity, debt-refinancing, eligibility, and use-of-proceeds assumptions. Build schedule flexibility for lender interpretation and updated documentation; PFCS can coordinate the package, but the SBA and participating lender determine program compliance, approval, and final terms.
Borrowers targeting an October closing should ask their participating lender which SOP will govern the application, then verify ownership, refinancing, use-of-proceeds, and documentation assumptions before relying on timing or eligibility.
Discuss a financing need →This independent summary is based on the cited source and is provided for general educational purposes only. Terms and program requirements may change.