According to Forbes, only 42% of small businesses get the financing needed. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans can help fill this gap and help business owners who don’t qualify for regular bank loans.

Becoming an SBA lender can expand your market and help you close more loans with less risk to your financial institution, as the SBA guarantees a significant part of each SBA loan.

But SBA lending can be complicated. The bank must follow specific guidelines for the SBA to guarantee a loan. 

SBA loan origination software can help streamline the loan application process and connect to the SBA’s electronic system, E-Tran. An integrated loan process ensures that each SBA application meets the SBA’s standards. 

We’ll explore the benefits of SBA software and discuss which features to look for when choosing a platform. 

But first, let’s take a closer look at the current SBA lending landscape.

SBA Lending in 2025

  • The SBA has recently been loosening its lending standards. This means more applicants can qualify for an SBA loan.
  • In the first three months of 2025, the number of approvals for SBA 7(a) loans increased by 74%.
  • From January 20, 2025, to April 17, 2025, the SBA loan volume totaled $677 million, roughly $180 million more than in the same period in 2021.
  • In 2024, the SBA approved more than 70,000 loans totaling $31.1 billion, with an average loan amount of $443,000. 

These statistics show that there’s never been a better time to become an SBA lender and command your bank’s fair share of the market.

Benefits of SBA Loan Origination Software

SBA lending software simplifies the loan application process. It can also save your bank time and money. 

There are other benefits too:

Faster Loan Processing

Before automation, banks processed SBA loan applications by hand, which meant a lot of paperwork and long delays. But SBA loan software changed that. 

SBA business loan origination software:

  • Reduces loan processing time from months to days
  • Reduces manual tasks
  • Enhances efficiency
  • Cuts down on paperwork 
  • Optimizes workflows
  • Offers faster loan approvals

Risky Loans Can Be Identified Easier

SBA loan origination software uses advanced technology. This technology can help identify which loans might be riskier for banks and monitor loans from the application process to post-closing. 

Top-tier SBA loan origination software:

  • Uses real-time borrower data to drive smarter loan decisions
  • Identifies early warning signs of potential defaults after the loan closes
  • Helps banks address loan issues proactively

Helps Banks Stay Compliant

SBA software helps banks follow rules from the SBA and other regulators.

Small business loan servicing software also:

  • Makes document management easier
  • Provides a digital trail for audits
  • Notifies banks of real-time compliance updates
  • Supports rules like Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

Lending Bias Can Be Eliminated

When people make loan decisions, unconscious bias sometimes occurs. This can result in qualified applicants being rejected for a loan, and mistakes can also happen. 

Software automation can result in:

  • Fair and equal treatment for all borrowers
  • Fewer human errors in decision-making
  • Clear, consistent loan approvals

These are crucial for financial institutions participating in government-backed lending programs.

What to Look for in SBA Loan Origination Software

An increasing number of banks are using digital platforms to serve small business owners seeking SBA loans. As your bank considers SBA business loan origination software, here are some key features to look for.

The Ability to Service All SBA Loans

The SBA offers several loan types for small businesses, including: 

  • 7(a) loans
  • 504 loans
  • Microloans
  • Express loans
  • CAPlines

Each loan has different eligibility guidelines and underwriting rules. The right SBA loan origination software has functionality to ensure each loan application meets the right criteria. 

Look for software that checks for the latest SBA rules. It should automatically update to keep up with changes in SBA loan programs. 

Borrower-friendly Loan Application Process

Small business owners are extremely busy and increasingly seek online lending solutions. SBA loan origination software helps meet this need by allowing business owners to complete applications online. A digital platform can also help you serve business owners not near a physical bank branch.

Loan origination software can also work with borrowers who prefer to meet with a loan specialist in person. Many small business owners like getting personal guidance from a bank before starting the application process. 

Meeting small business owners where they are is key.

Automated data collection

Manual data collection is slow and outdated. Traditional small business lending requires banks to contact multiple sources to request or verify information. Inefficient use of employee time costs money. Meanwhile, small business owners who need financing wait longer than they should for funding.

Look for an SBA loan origination system that allows borrowers to upload data online. This can save time and effort for banks and small business customers. 

Automated loan origination platforms can check for missing information and request it from the applicant when needed.

SBA loan software should also connect with third-party services in the SBA lending workflow. These integrations collect essential data such as tax returns, credit scores, bank records, and perform document verification. 

These automated processes reduce the data collection process from days or weeks to minutes. 

Automated SBA Loan Underwriting, Decisioning, & Closing

SBA loan origination software should automate the entire underwriting process. This includes

  • Document and loan submission
  • Risk assessment
  • Underwriting
  • Decision-making
  • Closing

An automated lending process boosts efficiency and improves the customer experience. It also ensures regulatory compliance. 

Here are some things to consider when exploring an SBA software solution for your bank.

  • Accelerated Initial Decision-Making: An SBA underwriting software should offer real-time dashboards to enhance decision-making. It should quickly eliminate applicants who do not meet your bank’s and the SBA’s underwriting criteria. This reduces manual workloads, enabling your banking staff to focus on more complex tasks.
  • Enhanced Financial Analysis with AI: SBA loan origination software should include capabilities for assessing cash flow data from bank records and financial records. It should calculate key metrics like EBITDA and debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) to provide a more accurate picture of a business’s financial health.
  • Faster Closing & Onboarding: Without software, it can take up to three months to approve and close an SBA loan. But SBA lending software speeds up the closing process. Once the loan closes, funds disbursement can occur in hours. 

Choose an SBA loan platform that allows:

  • Customization of the loan closing workflow
  • Full onboarding of customer records into your internal servicing systems
  • The ability to e-sign documents for rapid closing and loan disbursement
  • Software Integrations: Look for SBA loan software that integrates with third-party data validation and compliance applications, such as:
    • Equifax
    • Thomson Reuters
    • TransUnion
    • FICO
    • LexisNexis
    • Experian
    • DocuSign
    • Notarize
    • CSC
    • Twilio
    • Yodlee
    • Plaid
    • Finicity

Customizable to Your Bank’s Needs 

No two banks operate the same way. SBA loan origination software should allow you to stay in control of the lending process. 

Look for software that allows you to configure workflows. It should also allow you to set the level of automation and decision-making your bank is comfortable with. This should be a standard option with the software you choose. 

Conclusion: Get Ahead With the Right SBA Loan Origination Software

According to the FDIC, only one in 10 banks has a system to partially or fully automate a small business loan application. However, things are changing. More banks are considering investing in software and cloud-based technology for SMB loans.

SBA loan origination software is a game changer for banks looking to grow their small business lending portfolio while reducing risk. Using software to manage the entire loan lifecycle boosts efficiency, eliminates bias, improves compliance, and enhances the borrower experience. 

With faster processing, proactive monitoring, and built-in regulatory updates, the right software empowers your bank and gives it the competitive edge it needs.

FAQs 

Is SBA loan origination software compatible with my bank’s current system?

The majority of SBA loan software has an open Application Programming Interface (API). This allows it to share data across financial ecosystems.

How does small business loan servicing software improve the customer experience?

Today’s small business owners are more tech-savvy than ever. They expect solutions that meet them where they are. SBA software offers a borrower-friendly application process that can be completed entirely online, reducing funding turnaround time from months or weeks to days.

How can SBA loan origination software help with compliance?

SBA loan software automatically tracks documentation and maintains a detailed audit trail. It also updates regulatory changes in real-time. This can help your bank stay compliant.

Can business loan origination software help prevent loan defaults?

Yes. Many platforms include tools that track borrower performance after the loan has closed. While nothing is foolproof, this can help flag potential issues early. Then, your loan servicing team can take proactive steps to prevent a borrower from defaulting.

How does SBA loan origination software reduce the time it takes to process the loan?

The best software automates every step of the loan application process. This eliminates manual tasks and results in faster decision-making. It also reduces the traditional SBA loan processing time from months to days.

Where can my bank get SBA small business loan servicing software?

While there are many options for SBA loan software, it’s essential to choose wisely. It’s best to partner with an industry expert who has proven SBA software solutions to meet the needs of today’s business owners. Biz2X has a decade of experience helping banks increase their SBA loan volumes while ensuring compliance. Schedule a demo session today to learn how Biz2X can transform your SBA lending platform.