This Just In: SBA Releases SOP 50 10 8.1, Effective October 1, 2026
August 14, 2026
Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher
This Just In: SBA Releases SOP 50 10 8.1, Effective October 1, 2026
SBA has released SOP 50 10 8.1, which is now available to view and becomes effective October 1, 2026, as announced this afternoon in an email from Thomas Kimsey, Associate Administrator of the Office of Capital Access.
SOP 50 10 8.1 will apply to applications issued an SBA loan number on or after October 1. SBA lenders and employees must continue to use SOP 50 10 8 for applications submitted through September 30.
Among the major updates are changes to change-of-ownership and business acquisition lending, including strengthened change-of-ownership requirements and simplified equity requirements for Business Acquisition and Owner Buyout loans.
SBA has moved its updated change-of-ownership guidance to Appendix 15.
SBA is also introducing new options for pairing eligible change-of-ownership transactions with revolving lines of credit, including the expanded MARC loan program and the Working Capital Pilot program.
These structures may allow lenders to finance a portion of an eligible acquisition through a revolving line of credit rather than financing the entire transaction with a term loan. SBA says this flexibility may reduce required monthly term-loan payments while providing borrowers with the working capital necessary to operate and grow their businesses.
SBA is also expanding MARC to additional industries and updating SBA Express to give lenders greater flexibility to extend and reissue loans.
SOP 50 10 8.1 also provides new flexibility for same-institution debt refinancing and incorporates a series of policy and procedural notices issued since SOP 50 10 8, including updates involving citizenship and residency requirements, International Trade Loans, coordination of 7(a) and 504 maximum loan limits, the Prior Loss Rule, MARC loans, the sunset of the SBSS score for 7(a) Small Loans, alternate base rates, and applicant ownership and residency requirements.
SBA is currently updating its application forms to correspond with the SOP changes. Until the revised forms are available, lenders must collect the information and certifications required by the existing forms and SOP 50 10 8.1 and retain them in the loan file.
The Office of Capital Access will host Connect Calls August 25-27 to discuss SOP 50 10 8.1. Beginning the week of August 31, SBA will also hold lender Office Hours to discuss the changes and answer questions.