Starting October 1, 2026, the SBA’s updated lending rules change how business sales are financed through the 7(a) loan program. Seven changes matter most to sellers: every deal needs an independent valuation, $3 million-plus deals require a Quality of Earnings report...
The SBA’s updated lending rules make three changes that directly affect what happens to the seller after a business sale closes. First, the time a seller can stay on as a paid consultant doubles from 12 months to 24 months. Second, in a partial change of ownership,...
The SBA’s updated lending rules eliminate the old $250,000 threshold that let banks perform their own business valuations on smaller deals. Starting October 1, 2026, every business sale financed with an SBA 7(a) loan requires an independent valuation from a qualified...
Starting October 1, 2026, the SBA requires every business sale financed with a 7(a) loan to be classified into one of four categories: Initial Acquisition, Business Expansion, Owner Buyout, or ESOP & Cooperative. The category your deal falls into determines how...
From the Series 12 Brutal Truths About Selling a $5–50M Business in 2026 And How to Protect Your Life’s Work Your business is worth what a prepared buyer is willing to pay based on risk, growth, industry demand, and structure — not just revenue. Preparation over the...
From the Series 12 Brutal Truths About Selling a $5–50M Business in 2026 And How to Protect Your Life’s Work If you’re selling a $5–50M business in 2026, the biggest risks aren’t just financial. Protecting your employees, your legacy, and your identity requires...
