Posted On: October 15, 2026 by Falcon National Bank in: Manage your Business | Business Banking
What the SBA’s New 2026 Guidelines Mean for Business Acquisitions
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced updates to its Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), with several important changes taking effect October 1, 2026.
These updates may impact how SBA-backed transactions are evaluated and structured—particularly business acquisitions and changes in ownership.
If you're considering buying a business, transitioning ownership, or using SBA financing to support an expansion, here's what you should know.
Key Changes to SBA Guidelines
Debt Service Coverage
One of the most significant changes involves Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR), which measures a business's ability to generate enough cash flow to cover its debt payments.
Business acquisitions now require a 1.25x historical DSCR.
Expansion projects remain at a 1.15x historical DSCR.
Projections alone can no longer be used to overcome insufficient historical cash flow.
This makes it especially important for buyers to evaluate the historical
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