SBA has published SOP 50 10 8.1, Lender and Development Company Loan Programs with Technical Policy Updates [Lender and Development Company Loan Programs] The updated SOP was announced by SBA Information Notice 5000-882227, Issuance of Technical Updates to SOP 50 10 8.1 (published September 25, and effective October 1, 2026) [Issuance of Technical Updates to SOP 50 10 8.1 | U.S. Small Business Administration]. In announcing the SOP revision, Thomas Kimsey, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Capital Access (OCA), stated the update “incorporates additional flexibilities intended to help lenders deliver capital to small businesses across the country”.
The changes in the revised SOP 50 10 8.1 will be effective for loans receiving SBA loan numbers on or after October 1, 2026. Loans receiving an SBA loan number on or before September 30, remain subject to the requirements in SOP 50 10 8.
This new version of the SOP supersedes the version of SOP 50 10 8.1 that SBA published on August 14, 2026 but never took effect. To avoid confusion between the original and final versions of the SOP, NAGGL recommends that you destroy any copies that you may have saved of the earlier version of SOP 50 10 8.1 which bears a similar title – Lender and Development Company Loan Programs with Technical Updates.
The revised SOP includes updates made by SBA in response to feedback received from NAGGL and the lending community. The issuing notice details the major changes between the two versions. But one important change not noted in the SBA Notice is that the SOP revision also includes additional guidance regarding providing working capital to the borrower for certain loans for changes of ownership. Under the new guidance, in the circumstances specified, despite a general limitation on the provision of working capital, the lender will be allowed to disburse a de minimis amount of loan proceeds (as defined in the SOP) as working capital to the borrower to account for incidental post-approval adjustments to the uses of proceeds.
To assist lenders in identifying the changes between the original version and this Technical Policy Updates version, SBA has provided a redline version of the SOP [SOP 50 10 8.1 Technical Policy Updates effective 10.1.2026 – Redline Version].
Please read the notice in its entirety and refer to the SOP for complete information on the final 7(a) Program Requirements taking effect on October 1. And, for a summary of the major changes SBA made in the original version of SOP 50 10 8.1, please see NAGGL’s August 14 release.
As a reminder, until any updates are made to existing application forms or other instructions are provided by SBA, lenders must collect and retain in their loan files, all information and certifications required by the existing forms and SOP 50 10 8.1, Technical Policy Updates.
Within the next few days, NAGGL will provide all members a detailed list of the policy changes in the Technical Policy Updates version of the SOP. We also will provide to each individual who registered for any of NAGGL’s webinars on the new SOP 50 10 8.1 requirements, specific information on the changes that affect the material discussed in each of the courses.
