A Coleman Conversation: SBA Lending Eligibility for Legal Immigrants
July 9, 2025
In this week’s episode of A Coleman Conversation, Bob Coleman speaks with Chris Hurn, President and CEO of Community Bankshares, Phoenix Lender Services, and Joe Amato, Vice President of Business Lender Development at Community Bankshares and former SBA District Director. Chris and Joe share real-time insights into the impact of recent SBA regulatory changes—specifically those affecting loan eligibility for legal immigrants. Drawing on their decades of experience, they explain how these changes are being interpreted in the field and what that means for small business applicants and lenders alike. The discussion highlights questions emerging across the industry about how to balance program integrity with access to capital for all eligible entrepreneurs.
Topics Covered:
✓ SBA’s sweeping new SOP changes offer chances to improve lending but can also cause operational challenges for lenders
✓ Updated rules require 100% business ownership by U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents to qualify for SBA loans
✓ Legal immigrants pursuing permanent residency facing loan denials even with small ownership stakes
✓ E-Tran’s full ownership input requirement creates technical hurdles for complex ownership structures, delaying loans
✓ Lenders concerned SBA may not fully understand practical impacts, calling for better communication
✓ Need for SBA policies to align with national goals supporting entrepreneurship and legal immigration