Banker Turned Regulator + Franchise Hurdles |Apr 21, 2026 | SBA Today
This week on SBA Today, Paul and Tonya are talking about: 🆕 New 7(a) Leadership---welcoming Emily Doxzon as the new Chief of 7(a) Loan Origination for the Office of Capital Access. 🍦 Franchise Lending Challenges---how the sunsetting of the SBA Score may make it harder for lenders to justify the time and effort required for startup franchise deals. 📊 Small-Dollar Performance---analyzing lender reports that show while large loans are performing, the real struggle remains in the small-dollar loan space. 📞 7(a) Connect Call---a friendly reminder that the next call is today, Tuesday the 21st, at 3:00 PM Eastern. If you aren't on these calls, you're missing the pulse of the industry. What do you think? Will the removal of the SBA Score genuinely hinder startup franchise growth, or will lenders adapt their underwriting to fill the gap? Let's discuss in the comments! 👇 🛠 This episode is sponsored by SBA Collective — empowering community banks and credit unions to compete and win in SBA lending. Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily those of our employer.