The U.S Small Business Administration announced new measures to help veterans receive small-business loans by eliminating the borrower upfront fee for all veteran loans authorized under the SBA Express program up to $350,000. This initiative will start on Jan. 1, 2014, and continue through the end of the fiscal year. 

“Our nation’s veterans are highly skilled and highly trained leaders in their communities,” said Acting SBA Administrator Jeanne Hulit. “This initiative…is part of SBA’s broader efforts to make sure that veterans have the tools they need to start and grow a business. As we honor our veterans and thank them for their service and sacrifice, let’s continue to identify ways to support them when they come home.”

Of all SBA loans that go to veterans, 73% are $350,000 and below. The SBA Express Loan Program, which supports loans under $350,000, is SBA’s most popular loan delivery method, with nearly 60% of all 7(a) loans over the past decade being authorized through the program. Since the program’s inception, it has also been one of the most popular delivery methods for getting capital into the hands of veteran borrowers.

Building on SBA’s recent announcement that for the current fiscal year, fees on loans for $150,000 and under are eliminated, this policy announcement means that veteran borrowers will no longer have to pay an upfront fee for any loan up to $350,000 under the SBA Express program. This will make the loans cheaper for the borrower, another way SBA is looking to serve small-business owners as they look for ways to access capital.

SBA provides veterans access to business counseling and training, capital and business development opportunities through government contracts. In FY 2013, SBA supported $1.86 billion in loans for 3,094 veteran-owned small businesses. And since 2009, the dollar amount of SBA lending support to veteran-owned firms has nearly doubled.

For more information about these and other SBA programs, visit the SBA website at www.sba.gov.

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