SBA to Continue Zero-Fee Offer for Many 7(a), Veterans Advantage Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that it will do away with its fees on 7(a) loans of $150,000 or less through fiscal year 2015. The fee relief was scheduled to expire on Sept. 30 of this year.

In addition, fee relief measures for the SBA Veterans Advantage program will be renewed and enhanced through Sept. 30, 2015.

Under the original fee relief for 7(a) loans, an initiative that was instituted on Oct 1, 2013, the upfront guaranty fee as well as the annual servicing fee (“on-going guaranty fee”) were reduced to zero on loans of $150,000 or less.

The conditions for SBA Veterans Advantage loans that began on Jan. 1, 2014—a zero upfront guaranty fee on all SBA Express loans to veterans of $150,000 to $350,000—will stay in place for FY 2015.

“We zeroed out fees on loans of less than $150,000 to any 7(a) borrower because we don’t want SBA fees to be an impediment to getting capital out to communities where it can make a game-changing difference, especially to our underserved communities, who use these small dollar loans more frequently,” SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet said in a release.

“We also owe a debt of gratitude and so much more to our service men and women, and veterans who are the cornerstone of small business ownership. This fee relief will continue to help veterans … who grow their businesses, create jobs in their communities and put their training and passion for our country to work in their neighborhoods.”