SBA loan basics
Short answer
Yes, SBA 7(a) loans typically have an upfront guaranty fee that the borrower must pay. This fee is charged by the SBA to the lender for the guarantee and is usually passed on to the borrower.
The SBA charges an upfront guaranty fee based on the guaranteed portion of the loan amount and the total loan size. This fee helps offset the cost of the 7(a) program to taxpayers. For loans exceeding $500,000, there may also be an additional ongoing servicing fee. These fees can often be rolled into the total loan amount, reducing the borrower's immediate out-of-pocket costs.
For a $1,000,000 SBA 7(a) loan with an SBA guarantee of 75%, the guaranteed portion is $750,000. In FY2026, the upfront guaranty fee would be 3.0% of the guaranteed portion for the first $1 million, resulting in a $22,500 fee ($750,000 * 0.03).
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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