{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/transfer-fee","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/transfer-fee","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"transfer-fee","term":"Transfer Fee","group":"The loan itself","definition":"A fee charged by some lenders when a loan is transferred or assumed by a new borrower, or when ownership of the underlying asset changes.","what_it_means":"While not a standard SBA 7(a) loan origination fee, some existing loans might have provisions for transfer fees, especially if you are assuming an existing loan. In most SBA acquisitions, you will be taking out a brand-new loan for an asset purchase, so this is typically not a concern. However, if you are doing a stock purchase and assuming the seller's existing debt, check the loan agreement for this fee.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/transfer-fee","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"lender-closing-costs","term":"Lender closing costs","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lender-closing-costs"},{"slug":"loan-agreement","term":"Loan agreement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/loan-agreement"},{"slug":"stock-purchase","term":"Stock purchase","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/stock-purchase"},{"slug":"asset-purchase","term":"Asset purchase","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/asset-purchase"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan cover the cost of a franchise transfer fee in an acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-cover-the-cost-of-a-franchise-transfer-fee-in-an-acquisition"},{"question":"Are there any other lender-specific fees beyond the SBA guaranty fee and ongoing servicing fee?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-there-any-other-lender-specific-fees-beyond-the-sba-guaranty-fee-and-ongoing-servicing"},{"question":"How does the SBA review franchise agreements for compliance if there are unusual clauses regarding termination or transfer?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-review-franchise-agreements-for-compliance-if-there-are-unusual-clauses-r"},{"question":"Can the lender charge application fees or underwriting fees in addition to the SBA guaranty fee?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-lender-charge-application-fees-or-underwriting-fees-in-addition-to-the-sba-guarant"},{"question":"Are there annual servicing fees or other recurring charges beyond the SBA servicing fee?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-there-annual-servicing-fees-or-other-recurring-charges-beyond-the-sba-servicing-fee"},{"question":"Can the lender charge an additional \"packaging fee\" on top of the SBA fees?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-lender-charge-an-additional-packaging-fee-on-top-of-the-sba-fees"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Transfer Fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/transfer-fee","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}