SBA Loans: What Your Credit Score Actually Needs to Be

SBA loans are some of the best financing available to small businesses — long terms, lower rates — because the government guarantees part of the loan. That guarantee comes with real underwriting.

Credit score

Most SBA-preferred lenders look for a personal FICO of 680 or higher. Below that, approvals get much harder regardless of revenue.

What else lenders want

• Usually 2+ years in business

• 2 years of business and personal tax returns

• Current financial statements and a business plan

• Cash flow that supports the payment — loans are often sized around 3–4× documented net income

7(a) vs. 504

7(a) loans cover general business purposes like working capital and acquisitions. 504 loans finance major fixed assets such as real estate and equipment.

Timeline

Expect roughly 30–90 days from a complete application to funding.

This is Phase 6 of the $1M Playbook — and it’s why Phases 1 and 2 come first. The score requirement is the gate.