What interest rate and fees apply to an EWCP loan?
Short answer
SBA sets no maximum rate on Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) loans and only monitors for reasonableness (13 CFR 120.344(c)). The FY2027 upfront fee is 0.25% to 0.80% of the guaranteed portion, by maturity (SBA Information Notice 5000-881797, p. 3).
SBA does not set a maximum interest rate on EWCP loans (sba.gov/sba-lenders, read November 8, 2026). It will monitor rates for reasonableness (13 CFR 120.344(c); SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 18, Para. B.7). You and the lender negotiate the rate.
Base rates
The rate may be fixed or variable. A variable rate may be based on daily Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 3 percentage points, Prime or SBA's Optional Peg Rate (Appendix 18, Para. B.7). The spread stated in the note may not change during the loan without your written agreement. Para. B.7 also says the spread on a variable rate cannot exceed SBA's stated maximum, but it gives no EWCP figure. Ask your lender how it reads that line.
FY2027 upfront guaranty fee
The fee is a percentage of the guaranteed portion, set by maturity (Information Notice 5000-881797, p. 3):
- 12 months or less: 0.25%.
- 13 to 24 months: 0.525%.
- 25 to 36 months: 0.80%.
If a loan is extended beyond its original maturity, an additional fee may be due based on the longer term.
Ongoing and servicing fees
- The lender pays SBA an ongoing fee on the guaranteed balance and may not pass it on to you (Information Notice 5000-881797, p. 1).
- At the annual review, a lender may charge extraordinary servicing fees above 2% on loans disbursed through a Borrowing Base Certificate. The fee must be reasonable and no higher than on the lender's similar non-SBA loans (Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. B.6).
Actual rates and fees vary by lender.
Sources
- 13 CFR ยง 120.344
- SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 18, Para. B.7 (Para. B begins p. 401)
- SBA Information Notice 5000-881797, pp. 1, 3 (effective October 1, 2026)
- SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. B.6 (Para. B begins p. 175)
- SBA, Terms, conditions and eligibility for 7(a) lenders, sba.gov/sba-lenders (read November 8, 2026)
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