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13 CFR § 120.705 - What is a Specialized Intermediary?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t13/s120.705"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "13 CFR § 120.705 - What is a Specialized Intermediary?"
title_number: 13
title_name: "Business Credit and Assistance"
section_number: "120.705"
section_name: "What is a Specialized Intermediary?"
chapter_name: "SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION"
part_number: "120"
part_name: "BUSINESS LOANS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "15 U.S.C. 634(b) (6), (b) (7), (b) (14), (h), and note, 636(a), (h) and (m), 650, 687(f), 696(3) and (7), and 697(a) and (e); sec. 521, Pub. L. 114-113, 129 Stat. 2242; sec. 328(a), Pub. L. 116-260, 134 Stat. 1182."
regulatory_source: "61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "120"
---

# 120.705 What is a Specialized Intermediary?

At the end of an Intermediary's first year of participation in the program, SBA will determine whether it qualifies as a Specialized Intermediary. An Intermediary qualifies as a Specialized Intermediary if it maintains a portfolio of Microloans averaging $10,000 or less. Specialized Intermediaries qualify for more favorable interest rates on SBA loans. If, after the first year, an Intermediary qualifies as a Specialized Intermediary, the special interest rate is applied retroactively to SBA loans made to the Intermediary. After the first year SBA will determine an Intermediary's qualifications as a Specialized Intermediary annually, based on its lending practices during the term of its participation in the program. Specialized Intermediaries also qualify for a greater amount of technical assistance grant funding.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47878, Sept. 14, 2001]