How much do business loan referral fees pay?
Typically 0.5%–1.5% of the funded amount on SBA and conventional loans, and 25%–40% of the lender/broker fee on products like MCA. On a $250,000 loan at 1%, that's $2,500 per funded deal.
Free Tool for Referral Partners
Referral Earnings Calculator
CPAs, business brokers, ISOs, and consultants regularly meet clients who need financing. See what those introductions are worth: enter your deal volume, average loan size, and referral fee to estimate your annual commercial loan referral income.
Estimated annual referral income
—
Fee per funded deal—
Funded deals per year—
Referrals submitted per year—
That's income from introductions you're already positioned to make.
Send Your First DealHow the referral earnings calculator works
The estimate is simple, transparent math:
- Fee per deal = average funded loan size × referral fee %. A $250,000 loan at 1% pays $2,500.
- Funded deals per year = referrals per month × 12 × your close rate. Submitting 3 a month at a 50% close rate funds 18 a year.
- Annual income = fee per deal × funded deals per year.
Referral fees vary by product. SBA and conventional loans usually pay 0.5%–1.5% of the funded amount; equipment financing often pays 1%–3%; and faster products like MCA or revenue-based financing are commonly structured as 25%–40% of the lender or broker fee. For a full breakdown, see how brokers make money referring loans and SBA loan referral fees.
Why referral income compounds
The biggest driver of referral income isn't fee percentage — it's volume and close rate. A CPA who refers two well-qualified acquisition deals a year earns real money; one who builds a steady pipeline across SBA and alternative products earns far more, because deals fund throughout the year. Because you're referring clients you already serve, the income is largely incremental — no new client acquisition required.
The key is having a program that handles every client situation: SBA when they qualify and can wait, alternatives when they need speed or have been declined. That way no introduction is wasted. Ready to start? Review the referral agreement or send a deal.
FAQ
Questions about referral earnings
How is referral income calculated?
Fee per deal (loan size × fee %) times the number of deals that fund in a year. This calculator factors in your close rate so the estimate reflects funded deals, not just submissions.
Do I need a license to earn referral fees?
For introductions without managing the application, no federal license is typically required and the lender pays the fee. Active brokering may require a state license. See our referral fee guides.
What close rate should I assume?
40%–60% is reasonable for well-screened referrals. Lower it for cold deals; raise it for pre-qualified clients you know well.
Turn introductions into income
Start earning referral fees — SBA and non-SBA
Review the referral agreement, sign it, and submit your first deal. We handle the routing and respond within one business day.