PSA: Work with a SBA Loan Broker, Save Some Money.

lender profile

January 31, 2025

by a lender from University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, USA

A borrower on Searchfunder was about to sign a $2.5M loan at Prime + 2.5%, but we ran a process and just closed the deal at 7.99% fixed—a savings of $50k per year in interest.

Working with a broker or running a full lender outreach yourself can make a huge difference. Not all deals qualify for lower fixed rates, and some higher-risk deals will still be priced at Prime + 2.5%. But the only way to maximize savings is to talk to multiple lenders—either yourself or through a broker. Make sure the broker is paid by the lender and is charging you no fees.

If you’re in the process of securing an SBA loan, do a full outreach and save some money.

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commentor profile
Reply by a lender
from University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, USA
Kenny, I appreciate your perspective, but I strongly disagree. Established SBA loan brokers do not charge borrowers because they are already set up with all the leading banks and are compensated through referral fees from lenders. There is absolutely no reason for borrowers to pay a broker when the right broker is already incentivized to get them the best possible deal—at no out-of-pocket cost to them. Here’s what I do for borrowers:

✅ Pre-LOI Consulting – I help clients structure the LOIs they submit to sellers based on their personal financial statements and the downpayment they can put down. This includes language for the LOI agreement, seller note language, and helping them decide what the deal structure (seller note percentage, downpayment percentage, and SBA debt percentage) should be. We also analyze cash flow and DSCR to ensure the deal is fundable via the SBA and that the structure makes sense.

✅ Document Collection and Loan Packaging – I gather all the necessary financial and legal documents from both the buyer and seller to ensure lenders have everything they need to issue term sheets. This includes financial statements, tax returns, purchase agreements, and SBA-required forms, all organized into a complete loan package to streamline the approval process.

✅ Full Lender Outreach – I work with 30+ SBA lenders if needed. Some deals have pristine credit and are easy to fund, while others require more work. I conduct a full outreach across the lenders we know, sending them a complete package so they can quickly determine if the deal is fundable.

✅ Selecting the Best Term Sheet – I typically secure multiple term sheets from established lenders and then work closely with borrowers to evaluate and advise on the best lender for their specific needs, whether that means securing the lowest rate, minimizing the down payment, or obtaining extra working capital.

✅ Helping with Loan Closing – I assist borrowers throughout the closing process by providing financial projections, business plans, and answering lender questions to ensure a smooth approval and funding process. Sometimes this includes helping clients refine their business plans or financial models, while other times it's preparing them for lender interviews. My goal is to close the loan efficiently and make the process as seamless as possible.

✅ Significant Cost Savings – In the example I shared, I helped a borrower reduce their rate by 2%—saving them $50,000 per year in interest. The lender paid me and the borrower did not have to pay me a broker fee, A good broker delivers real savings without extra cost—securing better terms than a new borrower can get on their own.

Borrowers on this platform can vouch for the value I bring, and I invite anyone who has worked with me to share their experience. I also want to address the idea that this platform provides bad advice. In my experience, this is the best platform for searchers on the internet, filled with knowledgeable professionals who offer invaluable insights and guidance.

For all borrowers reading this, I’d love to help you with your SBA loan. You can reach me here or directly at redacted You can also click here to schedule a meeting with me: https://cal.com/ishan-jetley-3d73m8/30min. Look forward to chatting!
commentor profile
Reply by a lender
in Stuart, FL, USA
Ishan, everyone is entitled to their opinions. But therein lies the difference. If what you are providing for the customer is laid out above, you probably shouldn't charge the borrower. My point is, stay in your lane. You should not be giving people advice on what others should or should not charge when you have no idea what they bring to the table. Also, if you think that there is only good advice given on this forum, you are part of the problem. I have seen people give advise that is flat out illegal and could get people put in jail. There is a reason why the search funder model has such a low success rate overall. One of them is because a lot of searchers go about process wrong, hence the bad advice. I have nothing against you personally, you probably do a fine job for the services you provide, but please stop telling others what they should or should not receive in compensation when you have not walked in their shoes.
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