For SBA lenders
Short answer
Lenders remit the upfront guaranty fee via E-Tran when requesting the loan number. Annual service fees are typically collected quarterly through an automated debit from the lender's designated account by the SBA's Fiscal Transfer Agent (FTA).
The upfront guaranty fee is paid by the lender to the SBA upon approval and issuance of the SBA loan number, as part of the E-Tran process. The ongoing annual service fee is collected by the FTA on behalf of the SBA, usually quarterly, and is based on the average outstanding guaranteed balance of the loan.
A lender receives E-Tran approval for a $1,000,000 7(a) loan. The system calculates the upfront guaranty fee (e.g., $15,000). The lender confirms this fee in E-Tran, and it is automatically debited from their account. Quarterly thereafter, the FTA debits the calculated annual service fee directly from the lender's account based on the loan's guaranteed balance.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
7(a) Fees Effective During Fiscal Year 2026
Last checked 2026-06-14. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-14. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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