{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/are-there-any-circumstances-where-the-upfront-guaranty-fee-for-a-7-a-loan-is-waived-or-red","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/are-there-any-circumstances-where-the-upfront-guaranty-fee-for-a-7-a-loan-is-waived-or-red","question":"Are there any circumstances where the upfront guaranty fee for a 7(a) loan is waived or reduced for certain loan types?","topic":"Guaranty Fees","audience":"lender","bot_mode":"lender","short_answer":"Yes, the SBA sometimes waives or reduces the upfront guaranty fee for specific loan programs or categories, such as very small loans (e.g., $150,000 or less) or certain export loan programs.","rule":"The SBA sets the upfront guaranty fees annually, but it also has discretion to adjust or waive these fees for certain loan products to encourage specific lending activities or support smaller businesses. For instance, loans of $150,000 or less historically have had a 0% guaranty fee. Export loan programs also frequently benefit from reduced fees to incentivize international trade financing. Lenders must refer to the latest SBA fee schedules for current rates and waivers.","example":"A borrower applies for a $100,000 7(a) loan. Based on the current fiscal year's fee schedule, the lender informs the borrower that no upfront guaranty fee will be charged to the SBA for this loan size, significantly reducing the borrower's closing costs.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must stay updated on the annual SBA fee schedules and procedural notices to correctly apply the upfront guaranty fees. Incorrectly charging or waiving fees can result in compliance issues or financial shortfalls for the lender.","required_facts":["Guaranty fee waiver","Reduced fee","Loan types","Small loans","Export loans"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","7(a) Fees Effective During Fiscal Year 2026","7(a) Loan Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"},{"title":"7(a) Fees Effective During Fiscal Year 2026","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-08/Info%20Notice%20-%207%28a%29%20Fees%20FY%202026%20%28FINAL%208-28-25%29.pdf"},{"title":"7(a) Loan Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility","url":"https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/terms-conditions-eligibility"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How does a lender ensure compliance with the '90-day rule' for guaranty fee payment for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-ensure-compliance-with-the-90-day-rule-for-guaranty-fee-payment-for-a-7-"},{"question":"When are the annual service fees for 7(a) loans due from lenders to the SBA?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-are-the-annual-service-fees-for-7-a-loans-due-from-lenders-to-the-sba"},{"question":"What is the prepayment penalty calculation for a 7(a) loan with a principal balance exceeding $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-prepayment-penalty-calculation-for-a-7-a-loan-with-a-principal-balance-exceedi"},{"question":"When is the upfront SBA guaranty fee typically due and how is it calculated for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-the-upfront-sba-guaranty-fee-typically-due-and-how-is-it-calculated-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Are there any ongoing annual fees that a lender must pay to the SBA for their 7(a) loan portfolio?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/are-there-any-ongoing-annual-fees-that-a-lender-must-pay-to-the-sba-for-their-7-a-loan-por"},{"question":"How does a lender calculate the ongoing servicing fee (annual service fee) due to the SBA for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-calculate-the-ongoing-servicing-fee-annual-service-fee-due-to-the-sba-fo"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Upfront Guaranty Fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/upfront-guaranty-fee"},{"term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) loan guaranty","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan-guaranty"},{"term":"Upfront Fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/upfront-fee"},{"term":"SBA Upfront Guaranty Fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-upfront-guaranty-fee"},{"term":"Standard 7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/standard-7-a-loan"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/are-there-any-circumstances-where-the-upfront-guaranty-fee-for-a-7-a-loan-is-waived-or-red","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}