SBA 7(a) Q&A
Short answer
The upfront SBA guaranty fee is typically due and paid by the lender at the time of loan disbursement or when the loan is fully funded.
The lender is responsible for remitting the upfront guaranty fee to the SBA. This fee is usually financed into the loan amount and collected from the borrower at closing. The lender pays it to the SBA once the loan is fully disbursed or within 90 days of approval, whichever comes first, to ensure the SBA guaranty is in force.
A $1,000,000 SBA 7(a) loan is approved and closes on June 1st. The upfront SBA guaranty fee (e.g., $35,000) is included in the loan amount. At closing, the borrower pays this fee from the loan proceeds, and the lender then remits it to the SBA shortly after full disbursement, typically within 90 days of the authorization date.
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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