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.

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.

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 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. ⚠️

Happy New Year! We are kicking off 2026 with a massive episode of SBA Today. From a federal fraud "freeze" impacting thousands of loans to new data on loan performance, we are diving deep into the news you need to start your year strong. We're breaking down:

• ❄️ The Minnesota Freeze—Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced that nearly 7,000 SBA loans in Minnesota are being blocked due to a $400 million COVID-era fraud scandal.
• 📉 Sold vs. Retained Loans
• 📅 Franchise Deadline Extension
• 🛠️ The Power of the Support Network—Paul shares why trying to "save money" by doing it yourself can be a disaster.
• 🏆 2026 SBA Lender Professional Awards—Nominations are now OPEN for the Coleman Report's prestigious annual awards.

Tune in, subscribe, and share this episode to stay ahead of the curve as we navigate the first big updates of 2026!

This week on SBA Today, Paul and Tonya explore the "SBA Dark Web" for a look at the Federal Register before diving into shocking new data on lender satisfaction . From shifting form requirements to a massive satisfaction crash for online lenders, we're looking at what small businesses really want—and where the industry is missing the mark .

We're breaking down:

• 🔍 SBA Dark Web & Form Gutting: Paul dives into the Federal Register, where the SBA is looking to retire redundant forms like the 912 and potentially revamp the 1919 to reduce paperwork .
• 🤝 Relationship vs. Speed: New data from Lumos shows a massive gap in borrower priorities . While small banks dominate on relational strength (67%), online lenders hold the edge on operational speed (55%) .
• 📉 The Satisfaction Crash: Lender satisfaction has declined across the board since 2019 . Small banks dropped from 74% to 62%, but online lenders saw a staggering collapse, plummeting from 38% to just 2% .
• 🎀 The Finish Line: Tonya shares a heartwarming story from a client's ribbon cutting in Castle Rock, Colorado, attended by SBA Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs, reminding us why we fight through the red tape .
• 💡 The Closing Cure: We discuss how the closing process can make or break a borrower's experience . Paul explains why cross-training your team (underwriters learning processing and vice versa) is the key to a better customer journey .

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer.

It's turkey week, but the news never sleeps!

This week on SBA Today, Paul and Tonya breaking down:

• ☎️ SBA Connect Call Recap: The call covered the MARC Loan and various notices.
• 📈 Working Capital Chart: The SBA released a "VERY helpful" chart detailing the options for 7(a) Working Capital Product Options, including MARC Revolving, SBA Express, Seasonal CAPLine, and more.
• 🗓️ New Connect Calls: Save the dates! The SBA released the 2026 schedule for 7(a) and 504 Quarterly Connect calls with an updated focus.
• 💔 Hiring Miscommunication: This left employees confused and frustrated after having rearranged personal plans. Tune in, subscribe, and share this episode to stay updated on the latest SBA news!

⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer. ⚠️

This week on SBA Today, the mood is lighter because the government is BACK OPEN! Paul and Tonya discuss: 🎉The government lights are back on—a Connect Call is scheduled soon, so stay tuned for updates. 💔 MARC Program Update—what's going on? 🏨 SBLC SOLD—why another non-bank entity moving up the rankings should matter to lenders, especially one focused on hotel owners. 📈 BizBuySell Q3 Report Insights—Buyer Urgency & Economic Headwinds! ❌ The 'Investment' Lie—we deliver a reality check Tune in, subscribe, and share this episode to help your colleagues get the latest on the re-opening and the market! ⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer. ⚠️

This week on SBA Today, we dissect the sudden closure and portfolio sale of a Top 20 SBA lender, BayFirst Financial, and their aggressive small-dollar loan program (BOLT). This autopsy holds vital lessons for every lender about risk, pricing, and the current state of credit quality.

Why this matters to YOU:

• 🚨 Industry Shockwave: The abrupt shutdown of a large institution's 7(a) department and a subsequent $5.1 million loss on the portfolio sale signals immediate financial pain from exiting the business.
• 📉 Macro Warning Signs: The secondary market has been volatile, pricing pressure is down, and credit quality is deteriorating. Your own institution is making internal decisions based on these factors.
• 💸 The BOLT Program Mistake: BayFirst's aggressive BOLT program focused on smaller 7(a) loans (up to $150,000). The CEO cited stress in older, low-interest rate vintage BOLT loans. You must price for risk!
• 🔎 Risk Dissection: We examine potential risk multipliers:
  • Higher Risk Loans: Small dollar loans are inherently higher risk due to the nature and financial sophistication of the borrowers.
  • Broker Fees: This bank was known for paying high 2% broker fees , compounding the acquisition cost when defaults rose.
  • Policy: Was the program influenced by the former "Score & Go" process or affected by the collapse of the previous "Do What You Do" collateral standard?

✅ The Takeaway: The market demands a return to disciplined underwriting and a focus on fundamentals. We all want to help small businesses, but we must be prudent to stay in business.

This week on SBA Today, we are joined by special guest Stephanie Dunn for an upbeat conversation about the true heartbeat of our industry: Connection. But first, Paul gets heated about the ongoing government shutdown.

We're breaking down:

• 😡 INSANE! Paul lets loose, calling the continuing shutdown "Cray Cray, Ridiculous, Wild, Bizarre, Unreasonable, INSANE." Tonya adds that nobody wins this standoff—we all lose.
• 🤝 The Power of Connection: The overwhelming takeaway from NAGGL was the power of connection. We discuss why connection matters as much as knowledge in this business.
• 🚀 Giving People Wings: With Stephanie Dunn, we discuss the importance of supportive leadership and how empowering others to grow doesn't create risk, it creates strength.
• Fear vs. Trust: What happens when teams or banks operate from fear or scarcity instead of connection and trust? We explore the difference between competing and collaborating.
• Keep the Spirit Alive: We share simple ways to keep the NAGGL spirit of connection going, even when you're back at your desk.
• Final Farewell: Don't miss THE FINAL EPISODES OF The Art of SBA Lending!

This episode is sponsored by: Res/Title

Res/Title, your "One Stop Shop for SBA closings". We're your commercial title and closing company that provides you with the tools and technology to give you an instant quote and Al property reports on any deal in the nation. Whether it's for $35,000 or $35 Mil, we handle closings anywhere in the nation with one point of contact. Get started today! www.res-title.com

⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer. ⚠️