SBA 7(a) Q&A
Short answer
The SBA guaranty fee is an upfront fee charged by the SBA, paid by the borrower through the lender, to offset the cost of the federal guaranty.
The SBA charges this fee to help cover the costs of the loan program. It's a percentage of the guaranteed portion of the loan and varies based on the loan amount and term. This fee is typically rolled into the loan amount.
For an SBA 7(a) loan of $1,000,000 (with an SBA guaranty of 75%), the guaranteed portion is $750,000. If the fee is 3.5% of the guaranteed portion, the borrower would pay an upfront fee of $26,250.
Lenders accurately calculate and collect the SBA guaranty fee from the borrower at closing. They ensure the fee is remitted to the SBA within the required timeframe to avoid issues with the loan guaranty.
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 2026-06-14. 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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