Greetings!

Drumroll, please! SOP 50 10 8.1 is officially here.

In September, we focused on helping Lenders prepare for the Change of Ownership requirements coming with this new SOP. Then, just days before the October 1 effective date, SBA issued Technical Policy Updates with a few more changes and clarifications to work into those processes.

So this month we're moving from what changed to what happens next.

Did those final updates make it into your checklists and underwriting tools? And does your SBA knowledge live with your whole team, or mostly with one go-to person?

Keeping an SBA program running smoothly takes more than knowing the rules. It takes good processes, shared knowledge, and a team prepared to put those rules into practice.

Read the September Blogs? Here’s What Changed

SBA’s final Technical Policy Updates added a few details to the Change of Ownership rules we covered in September. Before you put those articles to work on your next deal, keep these updates handy:

In “SBA Change of Ownership is Changing Again,” refer to:

• Historical Cash Flow: Qualifying owner-occupied Special Purpose Property acquisitions may rely on projected DSC, subject to appraisal support and required analysis.
• Larger Acquisition? Add QoE: Those qualifying Special Purpose Property acquisitions are exempt from QoE. Buyer-commissioned reports require review by a lender-approved vendor.
• Equity Injection: The update clarifies working capital restrictions when equity is waived and permits limited incidental excess proceeds.

In “Deal Structure Changes Lenders Will Want to Catch Early,” refer to:

• The 10-Year Term: Qualifying Special Purpose Property acquisitions may receive up to 25 years when real estate represents at least 85% of total project costs.
• Seller Involvement: Working capital true-ups may stay in the business; performance-based buyer rebates must reduce loan principal.
• File Details: 7(a) Small is permitted for eligible acquisitions, and qualifying virtual businesses may use documented alternatives to physical site visits.

Your next step: Read these sections alongside the final Appendix 15—not the original article alone. A few details could change your next deal’s structure.

Notices from SBA in September



SBA 7(a) Quarterly Connect Calls 2026 dates and links:  Oct 20th

SBA 504 Quarterly Connect Calls 2026 dates and links: Sept 8^th, Dec 8^th

SBA Lender Connect Calls 2026 dates and links: Nov 10^th

SBA Information Notice 5000-881797: 7(a) Fees Effective 10/1/2026 for FY 2027 and 90-Day Rule Clarification published 9/3/2026, effective 10/1/2026

FTA: Lender’s Annual Service Fee FY 2027: Rate and Description published 9/11/2026

FTA: Release Notes: Modernized 1502 Reporting 3.3 published 9/15/2026

OIG Report: SBLC Performance in the 7(a) Loan Program & SBA’s Oversight effective 9/17/2026

SBA Franchise Directory effective 9/21/2026

SBA Information Notice 5000-882227: Issuance of Technical Updates to SOP 50 10 8.1 published 9/25/2026, effective 10/1/2026

SOP 50 10 8.1 with Technical Updates published 9/25/2026, effective 10/1/2026

SBA 7(a) and 504 Lender Report as of 9/30/2026



Just when your team was getting comfortable with SBA SOP 50 10 8, another SBA SOP update is on the way.

SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 becomes effective October 1, 2026, and Change of Ownership transactions get their own road map in Appendix 15. Some of the biggest changes are not whether a deal is eligible. They are about what financial information the lender needs, how cash flow is measured, and when additional financial due diligence is required.

In our first look at the Change of Ownership changes in SBA SOP 50 10 8.1, we focused on financial statements, DSC, Quality of Earnings, and equity.

But even when the cash flow works, the deal still has to be structured correctly. And Appendix 15 includes several changes that affect loan terms, debt structure, collateral, seller involvement and even delivery method.

These are the details that can turn into big issues if they are discovered too late.

SOP 50 10 8.1 is now in effect, but implementation doesn't end on the effective date.

October is a good time to make sure those last-minute updates made it into the tools your team uses, and that the knowledge behind those tools is shared. As we’ll be discussing this month, strong SBA teams combine experienced people with documented processes, current checklists, and ongoing training.

And that's where this month's quote from Steve Jobs hits home: a strong SBA program depends on the whole team.

Need help putting SOP 50 10 8.1 into practice? Whether you’re updating internal tools and procedures, strengthening your team’s SBA knowledge, or simply want a second set of eyes on your program, LRM is here to help.

Let’s talk about how LRM can support your SBA team.

Your Team at LRM Lender Consultants,