SBA 7(a) Q&A
Short answer
No, the SBA guaranty fee itself is set by the SBA and is not negotiable with the lender; however, other lender fees might be.
The SBA charges a one-time upfront guaranty fee, calculated as a percentage of the guaranteed portion of the loan, to cover the cost of the program. This fee is mandated by Congress and its structure and rates are published annually by the SBA. While the borrower typically pays this fee, the rate is fixed by the SBA and cannot be negotiated with the lender.
For a $1,000,000 SBA 7(a) loan guaranteed at 75%, the SBA fee for the guaranteed portion would be calculated based on the $750,000 guaranteed amount at the prevailing SBA fee rate (e.g., 3.5% for larger loans). This fee, determined by the SBA, is non-negotiable.
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
SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Fee Calculator
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. 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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