SBA Guaranty Fee Calculator
Calculate your SBA 7(a) loan guaranty fee instantly. Covers Standard, Express, EWCP, International Trade, and veteran fee waivers. FY 2026 tiered rates with detailed breakdown.
Upfront Guaranty Fee
$6,375.00
Guaranteed portion: $262,500.00 (75%)
Fee tier breakdown
Fee comparison — Standard 7(a)
| Loan Amount | Guaranteed | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000.00 | $85,000.00 | $1,700.00 |
| $250,000.00 | $187,500.00 | $4,125.00 |
| $500,000.00 | $375,000.00 | $9,750.00 |
| $1,000,000.00 | $750,000.00 | $21,250.00 |
| $2,000,000.00 | $1,500,000.00 | $48,750.00 |
| $5,000,000.00 | $3,750,000.00 | $133,125.00 |
How SBA guaranty fees work
When you take out an SBA 7(a) loan, the Small Business Administration guarantees a portion of the loan to reduce risk for the lender. In exchange, the borrower pays an upfront guaranty fee based on the guaranteed amount.
The fee is calculated using tiered rates applied to the guaranteed portion:
First $150,000 → 2.00%
$150,001 – $700,000 → 3.00%
$700,001 – $1,000,000 → 3.50%
Over $1,000,000 → 3.75%
Example: A $350,000 Standard 7(a) loan has a 75% guarantee ($262,500). Fee = ($150,000 × 2%) + ($112,500 × 3%) = $3,000 + $3,375 = $6,375.
SBA loan programs at a glance
Standard 7(a)
Up to $5M with 75–85% guarantee. Most versatile SBA loan for working capital, equipment, and real estate.
SBA Express
Up to $500K with 50% guarantee. Faster approval (36 hours) and veteran fee waivers available.
Export Express
Up to $500K with 90% guarantee for export-related financing. Same fast turnaround as Express.
EWCP
Export Working Capital Program — up to $5M with 90% guarantee for export transaction financing.
International Trade
Up to $5M with 90% guarantee for businesses expanding into international markets.
Veteran Waiver
SBA Express loans to veteran-owned businesses receive a complete upfront fee waiver, saving thousands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SBA guaranty fee?
The SBA guaranty fee is an upfront fee charged on the guaranteed portion of an SBA 7(a) loan. It is paid by the borrower (often financed into the loan) and compensates the SBA for the risk of guaranteeing the loan. The fee varies by loan size and program type.
How is the SBA guaranty fee calculated?
The fee is calculated on the guaranteed portion of the loan using tiered rates: 2% on the first $150K, 3% on $150K–$700K, 3.5% on $700K–$1M, and 3.75% on amounts over $1M. The guaranteed portion depends on the loan program (typically 75% for standard 7(a) loans over $150K, 85% for loans ≤$150K).
Do veterans get a fee waiver?
Yes. Veteran-owned businesses are eligible for a guaranty fee waiver on SBA Express loans up to $500,000. This waiver can save thousands of dollars. The waiver applies to the upfront guaranty fee only and does not affect the annual service fee.
What is the difference between Standard 7(a) and SBA Express?
Standard 7(a) loans offer up to $5M with 75–85% SBA guarantee and longer processing times. SBA Express loans cap at $500K with a 50% guarantee but offer faster turnaround (within 36 hours). Express loans have higher interest rate caps but the reduced guarantee means lower fees.
Can the guaranty fee be financed into the loan?
Yes. Most borrowers finance the guaranty fee into the total loan amount. The fee is typically paid at closing and rolled into the loan balance. This means you do not need to pay it out-of-pocket, but you will pay interest on it over the loan term.
When are FY 2026 rates effective?
SBA fiscal year 2026 rates are effective from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The SBA reviews and may adjust fee schedules annually. Always verify current rates with your SBA-approved lender.
Is there an annual service fee in addition to the upfront fee?
Yes. SBA 7(a) loans also carry an annual service fee (typically 0.55% of the outstanding guaranteed balance) that is paid by the lender and usually passed through to the borrower as part of the interest rate. This calculator covers the upfront guaranty fee only.
What loan programs does this calculator cover?
This calculator covers Standard 7(a), SBA Express, Export Express, Export Working Capital Program (EWCP), and International Trade loans. Each program has different maximum loan amounts and guarantee percentages.