Why the Best SBA Loan Brokers Don’t Charge Borrowers a Fee

Clearing Up the Confusion

For many first-time borrowers, “broker” sounds expensive. They imagine upfront retainers, hourly fees, or consulting charges layered onto already complex loan costs.
But in the SBA world, top-tier brokers operate under a lender-paid model—meaning the borrower pays nothing.

GoSBA Loans built its reputation on that principle: “No borrower fees, ever.”

How the Lender-Paid Model Works

The Small Business Administration allows lenders to compensate brokers who originate and prepare fully qualified SBA packages. It’s simple economics: lenders save time and labor costs when brokers handle the heavy lifting of credit analysis, document organization, and borrower communication.

This compensation is standardized and fully disclosed on SBA Form 159 at closing—ensuring transparency for both borrower and lender.

That means the broker only gets paid if the loan successfully funds—aligning interests perfectly.

Why It Benefits Borrowers

1. Zero Out-of-Pocket Cost: You don’t pay fees for consultation, packaging, or lender matching.
2. Performance-Based Incentive: The broker is only paid upon successful funding, so they’re motivated to get you approved quickly and at the best terms.
3. Lender Efficiency: Banks prefer ready-to-underwrite deals; brokers like GoSBA reduce internal processing costs, which helps preserve competitive pricing.
4. Access to Better Rates: Volume-based relationships with 33+ lenders allow brokers to negotiate rate concessions that individual borrowers can’t.

Transparency and Regulation

All SBA loan closings require disclosure of third-party compensation. Form 159 ensures borrowers know exactly who’s being paid and how much.
GoSBA Loans embraces this transparency, which helps maintain borrower trust and prevents conflicts of interest.

A Tale of Two Buyers

Buyer A went directly to their local bank. After 90 days, the file was declined due to lack of collateral coverage.
Buyer B approached GoSBA Loans for the same type of acquisition—same price range, same industry. GoSBA matched the buyer to a lender specializing in cash-flow-based approvals, closed in 70 days, and cost the borrower nothing.

The difference wasn’t the borrower—it was the process.

The Bigger Picture

Free doesn’t mean cheap. In the SBA ecosystem, lender-paid brokers are part of the value chain, not an extra cost. Their efficiency makes lenders more competitive and borrowers better informed.

When the broker gets paid by the lender—not the borrower—it ensures everyone’s goals are aligned: close the loan, protect the borrower, and deliver the best structure.