SBA loan basics
Short answer
The primary fee is the SBA Guaranty Fee, paid by the borrower. Lenders may also charge reasonable packaging or origination fees, and there's a small ongoing servicing fee to the SBA.
The SBA charges an upfront guaranty fee to the lender, which is typically passed on to the borrower. This fee varies based on the guaranteed portion and loan amount, but is often 2.75% to 3.5% for loans over $1 million. Lenders can charge reasonable packaging fees, usually up to 2% of the loan amount, and there's an ongoing annual servicing fee of about 0.55% of the outstanding guaranteed balance.
For a $1,000,000 SBA loan, the borrower might pay a one-time upfront guaranty fee of around $26,250 (2.625%) and an annual servicing fee of approximately $5,500 (0.55%) on the guaranteed portion. The lender might also charge a packaging fee of $10,000 (1%).
Insider move
Lenders must disclose all fees clearly to the borrower and ensure they comply with SBA maximums for packaging and origination fees. They collect the guaranty fee at closing and remit it to the SBA.
7(a) Fees Effective During Fiscal Year 2026
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
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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