{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-lender-charge-application-fees-or-underwriting-fees-in-addition-to-the-sba-guarant","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/can-the-lender-charge-application-fees-or-underwriting-fees-in-addition-to-the-sba-guarant","question":"Can the lender charge application fees or underwriting fees in addition to the SBA guaranty fee?","topic":"Rate & fees","audience":"borrower","bot_mode":"buyer","short_answer":"Yes, lenders can charge reasonable and customary application, underwriting, or packaging fees in addition to the SBA guaranty fee, but these fees are subject to certain maximum limits set by the SBA.","rule":"While the SBA charges a guaranty fee, lenders are permitted to charge their own reasonable fees for processing and underwriting the loan, distinct from the SBA's fee. These fees must be customary for similar non-SBA loans and are subject to maximum caps. For example, for loans over $50,000, these fees are generally capped at 3% of the loan amount for loans up to $1,000,000 and 2% for loans over $1,000,000, plus an additional 0.25% for loans over $50,000 involving real estate.","example":"For a $750,000 SBA 7(a) loan, the lender may charge an application or packaging fee up to 3% of the loan amount, which is $22,500. This is in addition to the SBA's upfront guaranty fee.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must ensure all fees charged comply with SBA regulations regarding maximum allowable amounts. Overcharging can lead to penalties and rejection of the guaranty by the SBA.","required_facts":["Lender fees","Application fees","Underwriting fees","SBA guaranty fee","Maximum limits","Customary charges"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","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":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"},{"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":"Besides the interest rate, what upfront fees will I pay for a $1 million SBA 7(a) loan at closing?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/besides-the-interest-rate-what-upfront-fees-will-i-pay-for-a-1-million-sba-7-a-loan-at-clo"},{"question":"How are the ongoing servicing fees for an SBA 7(a) loan calculated and paid?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-are-the-ongoing-servicing-fees-for-an-sba-7-a-loan-calculated-and-paid"},{"question":"What are the typical interest rates for an SBA 7(a) loan, and are they fixed or variable?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-typical-interest-rates-for-an-sba-7-a-loan-and-are-they-fixed-or-variable"},{"question":"What is the \"SBA guaranty fee\" I pay on an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-sba-guaranty-fee-i-pay-on-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"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":"Can the lender charge their own separate processing or origination fees for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-lender-charge-their-own-separate-processing-or-origination-fees-for-an-sba-7-a-loa"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Application fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/application-fee"},{"term":"Repair to the guaranty","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/repair-to-the-guaranty"},{"term":"SBA guaranty fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-guaranty-fee"},{"term":"Lender fees","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lender-fees"},{"term":"Lender underwriting","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lender-underwriting"},{"term":"Repair or denial of the SBA guaranty","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/repair-or-denial-of-the-sba-guaranty"}],"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":"2026-06-14","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-14"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-lender-charge-application-fees-or-underwriting-fees-in-addition-to-the-sba-guarant","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."]}