How the initial credit screen works.
BorrowerDesk is a transparent deal-preparation tool. It does not estimate approval odds or replace lender underwriting.
The 100-point framework
| View | Points | What it considers |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | 25 | Operating status, for-profit status, location, current ownership rule, and potentially ineligible activity. |
| Cash flow | 30 | A planning DSCR calculated from borrower-entered cash flow and modeled annual debt service. |
| Guarantor | 20 | Approximate personal credit band, borrower cash, post-close liquidity, and relevant management experience. |
| Credit file | 25 | The share of eight common lender-file items marked current and ready. |
What the score means
A higher score means fewer obvious preparation gaps in the answers supplied. It does not mean a borrower is eligible, qualified, prequalified, likely to be approved, or entitled to any rate or term.
Planning DSCR
The tool divides entered annual cash flow available for debt service by modeled annual payments on existing and proposed debt. Lenders may define cash flow differently, adjust earnings, use different terms, and apply their own minimum coverage standards.
Sources and uses
Borrower cash and seller debt are shown separately because a lender may treat, document, or restrict each source differently. BorrowerDesk does not determine whether a particular seller note or equity source meets current requirements.
Credit
BorrowerDesk does not claim a universal SBA minimum personal credit score, because lender standards and SBA underwriting paths vary.
Current policy basis
Policy references checked August 17, 2026.
- SBA 7(a) loan program overview ↗
- 7(a) terms, conditions, and eligibility ↗
- Revised SBA ownership notice effective March 1, 2026 ↗
- SBA Form 1919 ↗
- SBA Form 413 ↗
Limits
The tool cannot test every SBA rule, lender policy, guarantor issue, affiliation question, business-size calculation, collateral condition, environmental requirement, franchise rule, criminal-history question, or deal-specific fact. Always verify current requirements with the SBA and a participating lender.