SBA loan basics
Short answer
The SBA guaranty fee is an upfront cost paid by the borrower that helps cover the administrative costs of the SBA's loan program and partially funds the guaranty itself.
This fee is calculated as a percentage of the guaranteed portion of the loan and is paid to the SBA by the lender, who then typically passes the cost on to the borrower. It's a one-time fee due at loan closing, with the percentage varying based on the loan amount.
For a $1,000,000 SBA 7(a) loan with a 75% guaranty, the SBA guaranty fee would be calculated on the $750,000 guaranteed portion. If the fee is 2.5%, the borrower would pay $18,750.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
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 2026-06-14. 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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