If you’re shopping for an SBA loan, you’ve probably wondered what SBA loan broker fees will cost you. The answer varies wildly — from zero to tens of thousands of dollars — depending on who you work with. Some brokers earn their fee honestly through lender-paid commissions. Others charge hefty upfront deposits before they’ve done a thing for you.
This guide breaks down exactly how SBA loan broker fees work, what’s normal, what’s a red flag, and how to find a broker who puts your interests first.
How Do SBA Loan Brokers Make Money?
Before diving into specific fee structures, it helps to understand the economics. SBA loan brokers act as intermediaries between borrowers and lenders. They help you find the right loan program, prepare your application, and negotiate terms. For that service, they get paid — but how they get paid matters enormously.
There are three primary fee models in the SBA lending space:
1. Percentage-Based Fees (Success Fees)
The most common structure is a percentage of the funded loan amount, typically ranging from 1% to 3%. On a $500,000 SBA 7(a) loan, that translates to $5,000–$15,000.
These fees are usually collected at closing, meaning the broker only gets paid when you actually receive funding. In theory, this aligns the broker’s incentive with yours — they don’t eat unless you get fed. In practice, the percentage can add meaningful cost to an already complex transaction.
Some brokers charge the borrower directly. Others receive their commission from the lender, which means the borrower pays nothing out of pocket. The distinction is critical, and we’ll come back to it.
2. Flat Fees
A smaller number of brokers charge flat fees — say, $3,000 to $10,000 — regardless of loan size. This can work in the borrower’s favor on larger loans (where a percentage-based fee would be steeper), but it can feel disproportionate on smaller deals.
Flat fees are sometimes collected partially upfront and partially at closing. The upfront portion is where things get murky.
3. Upfront Deposits and Retainers
This is where borrowers need to pay close attention. Some SBA loan brokers require an upfront deposit — often $2,500 or more — before they begin working on your file. The deposit is typically described as covering “underwriting review,” “file preparation,” or “due diligence.”
On the surface, it sounds reasonable. But here’s the problem: you’re paying thousands of dollars before you have any guarantee of funding. If the broker can’t place your loan — or simply stops returning your calls — that money is gone.
The Red Flags: Upfront Fees + Exclusivity Agreements
The most problematic fee structures combine two elements: a large upfront deposit and a mandatory exclusivity period.
Here’s how it typically works:
- You pay $2,500–$5,000 upfront as a “commitment fee” or “retainer.”
- You sign an exclusivity agreement — often 60 to 90 days — during which you cannot work with any other broker or approach lenders directly.
- The broker submits your application to one or two lenders. If those lenders decline, you’ve lost both your money and months of time.
- The deposit is non-refundable, or the refund conditions are buried in fine print that essentially makes it non-refundable.
This model is designed to benefit the broker, not you. The exclusivity clause prevents you from shopping around, and the upfront fee guarantees the broker revenue regardless of outcome. Meanwhile, you’re locked in with no leverage.
“When a broker asks for thousands of dollars before they’ve even matched you with a lender, ask yourself: whose risk are they managing — yours or theirs? A good broker should be confident enough in their process to get paid when you get funded, not before.”
— Ishan Jetley, founder of GoSBA Loans
How to Spot a Problematic Broker
Watch for these warning signs:
- Upfront fees exceeding $1,000 with vague descriptions of what they cover
- Exclusivity agreements longer than 30 days (90-day lockups are a major red flag)
- Limited lender access — if a broker only works with 2–5 lenders, they’re not really shopping your deal
- Pressure to sign quickly — legitimate brokers don’t rush you into binding agreements
- No clear refund policy — or a refund policy that requires you to prove the broker didn’t perform (which is nearly impossible to document)
- Lack of transparency about how they’re compensated by lenders vs. by you
How Lender-Paid Commissions Work
Many SBA lenders pay referral commissions to brokers who bring them qualified borrowers. These commissions typically range from 0.5% to 2% of the loan amount and are paid by the lender out of their origination revenue — not added to your loan cost.
This is important: when a broker is paid by the lender, the borrower pays zero broker fees. The economics work because lenders acquire a customer they might not have reached otherwise, and the broker’s commission comes from the lender’s margin.
Not all lenders offer broker commissions, and not all brokers are set up to receive them. Brokers who rely on lender-paid commissions need deep relationships with a large network of lenders — which, incidentally, also means they can shop your deal more effectively.
The Zero-Fee Model: How GoSBA Loans Does It Differently
At GoSBA Loans, borrowers pay no broker fees — ever. No upfront deposits. No success fees. No percentage of the loan. No hidden charges at closing.
GoSBA operates exclusively on lender-paid commissions. When your loan funds, the lender compensates GoSBA directly. You pay the same interest rate and fees you’d pay if you walked into the bank yourself.
This model works because GoSBA has built relationships with 50+ SBA lenders across the country. That broad network means two things for borrowers:
- Better matching. With 50+ lenders to choose from, GoSBA can find the lender whose credit box, industry focus, and terms align best with your specific situation.
- No cost to you. Because lenders compete for GoSBA’s referrals, the commissions are built into the lender’s existing economics — not passed on to borrowers.
The numbers speak for themselves: GoSBA has facilitated $320 million+ in SBA loan funding across 126 closed loans, all without charging borrowers a single dollar in broker fees.
“We built GoSBA around a simple idea: borrowers shouldn’t have to pay to find the right lender. The lenders should compete for your business, and the broker’s job is to make that competition work in your favor. That only happens when the broker has real lender relationships — not just a website and a deposit agreement.”
— Ishan Jetley, founder of GoSBA Loans
What Should You Actually Pay for an SBA Loan?
Setting broker fees aside, SBA loans come with their own set of costs. It’s important to distinguish between broker fees (what you pay the intermediary) and lender fees (what the bank charges as part of the loan).
Standard SBA Loan Costs (Charged by the Lender)
- SBA Guarantee Fee: 0% to 3.75% of the guaranteed portion, depending on loan size. This is set by the SBA, not the lender or broker.
- Packaging/Origination Fee: Some lenders charge 0.5%–1% for loan packaging. This is a lender fee, not a broker fee.
- Closing Costs: Title insurance, appraisals, environmental reports, legal fees — standard costs that exist whether you use a broker or not.
- Interest Rate: SBA 7(a) loans are typically priced at Prime + 1.5% to Prime + 2.75%, depending on loan size and term.
What You Should NOT Be Paying
- Upfront broker deposits — especially non-refundable ones
- Application fees charged by the broker (not the lender)
- “Underwriting review” fees from a broker — that’s the lender’s job
- Percentage-based broker fees on top of lender fees — this means you’re effectively paying twice for intermediation
Questions to Ask Any SBA Loan Broker
Before engaging a broker, ask these questions directly:
- “Do you charge any upfront fees?” — The answer should be no, or a very small, clearly refundable amount.
- “How are you compensated?” — Look for transparency. Lender-paid commission is the most borrower-friendly model.
- “How many lenders do you work with?” — More lenders means better options. Anything under 10 is limiting.
- “Is there an exclusivity agreement?” — If yes, how long? What are the exit terms?
- “What happens if my loan doesn’t fund?” — You should owe nothing if the broker can’t deliver.
- “Can you provide references from recent borrowers?” — A track record matters more than promises.
Comparing SBA Loan Broker Fee Structures
| Fee Model | Typical Cost | When You Pay | Risk to Borrower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront deposit + exclusivity | $2,500–$5,000+ | Before funding | High — money at risk with no guarantee |
| Percentage-based success fee | 1%–3% of loan | At closing | Medium — adds cost but aligned incentives |
| Flat fee | $3,000–$10,000 | At closing (sometimes split) | Medium — predictable but still an added cost |
| Lender-paid (zero borrower fee) | $0 to borrower | Never | None — broker paid by lender |
The Bottom Line on SBA Loan Broker Fees
SBA loan broker fees are not standardized, and the range of what brokers charge — from nothing to thousands of dollars upfront — reflects a fragmented industry with uneven transparency.
The safest approach for borrowers is straightforward:
- Never pay a large upfront deposit to a broker who hasn’t proven they can deliver.
- Avoid long exclusivity agreements that lock you in without accountability.
- Prioritize brokers with large lender networks — they can genuinely shop your deal.
- Choose a broker compensated by lenders, not by you.
GoSBA Loans has built its entire business on that last principle. With 50+ lender relationships, $320M+ in funded loans, and zero borrower fees, it’s proof that the right model works — for borrowers and lenders alike.
Ready to explore your SBA loan options without paying broker fees? Learn more about how GoSBA’s SBA loan brokerage works, or get started with a free consultation.
