Commitment Fee (2024)

Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding the Commitment Fee on a Line of Credit (LOC)

Last Updated May 8, 2023

What is Commitment Fee?

The Commitment Fee is a fee charged by lenders to borrowers on the unused portion (i.e. the undrawn portion) of a line of credit facility.

Commitment Fee (1)

Table of Contents

  • What is the Definition of Commitment Fee?
  • What is the Pricing Structure of Commitment Fees?
  • Commitment Fee Formula
  • What is the Difference Between Commitment Fee vs. Interest Expense?
  • Revolver Commitment Fee Calculation Example

What is the Definition of Commitment Fee?

Senior loan agreements with revolving credit facilities (or “revolvers”) are often structured with a commitment fee as part of the lending terms.

More specifically, the commitment letter for a financing arrangement contains a section outlining the specific details regarding the lending terms and conditional provisions.

Financial institutions, such as traditional corporate banks, charge commitment fees as compensation for keeping the line of credit open (and available to be drawn down).

Certain lenders charge a flat fee as a percentage of the total loan amount. But the far more common type of pricing method is to charge only for the “unused” amount.

Therefore, interest is charged on the revolver only on the amount drawn down, per the lending agreement.

What is the Pricing Structure of Commitment Fees?

The commitment fee is most frequently associated with a revolver – a line of credit packaged alongside senior loans and meant to be drawn down if the borrower requires immediate short-term liquidity (i.e. “emergency credit card” for companies).

The revolver is placed at the top of the capital structure and is secured (i.e. backed by asset collateral).

Generally, the standard commitment fee typically ranges between a 0.25% to 1.0% annual fee paid to the lender.

While an insignificant source of returns, commitment fees are still charged by lenders to keep the line of credit available to be drawn upon on an “as-needed” basis.

Commitment Fee Formula

The formula used to calculate the commitment fee on the unused portion of a revolving credit facility (“revolver”) is as follows.

Commitment Fee = Unused Revolver Capacity × Commitment Fee (%)

What is the Difference Between Commitment Fee vs. Interest Expense?

Financial models often combine the commitment fee of a revolver into the total interest expense calculation, which is done for simplicity. Yet, there is one clear distinction between the commitment fee and interest expense.

To reiterate from earlier, the commitment fee is calculated on the remaining amount (i.e. undrawn amount) of the credit facility’s total capacity.

In contrast, interest expense on the revolver is calculated by multiplying the applicable interest rate by the average of the beginning and ending revolver balance for the period.

  • Rising Revolver Balance: If a company’s revolver balance increases, the company has drawn down from the credit facility.
  • Declining Revolver Balance: If the company’s revolver balance decreases, the company has paid down the outstanding balance due.

Revolver Commitment Fee Calculation Example

Suppose a bank and a company have agreed on a $100m term loan financing package that comes alongside a revolver with the following:

  • Maximum Capacity = $20 million
  • Unused Commitment Fee (%) = 0.25%

The $20 million is NOT debt capital that is received immediately, but rather, represents the maximum amount of available capital that can be taken out if the company faces a shortfall in cash.

If we assume the company does not need to draw down from the revolver – i.e. its free cash flows (FCFs) are sufficient to meet all expenses, as well as mandatory repayments – the commitment fee in that particular year is equal to $50,000.

  • Commitment Fee = 0.25% x $20 million = $50,000

Commitment Fee (2)

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Commitment Fee (2024)

FAQs

What is an example of a commitment fee? ›

Definition and Examples of Commitment Fees

The amount of the commitment fee is often equal to a percentage of the amount that will be borrowed. For example, the commitment fee might equal 0.25% of the principal amount of the future loan. In this case, if the loan was for $100,000, the fee would be $250.

How to compute commitment fee? ›

The fee is then calculated by multiplying the average unused commitment by the agreed-upon commitment fee rate and again by the number of days in the reference period.

What is the standard commitment fee? ›

Generally, the standard commitment fee typically ranges between a 0.25% to 1.0% annual fee paid to the lender. While an insignificant source of returns, commitment fees are still charged by lenders to keep the line of credit available to be drawn upon on an “as-needed” basis.

What is a commitment fee in financial statements? ›

A commitment fee is a fee charged on the undrawn portion of a lending facility. Banks often give companies a 'credit facility'. Often in the form of a revolving credit facility, but sometimes in the case of project finance structures as part of a term loan.

What is a good example of commitment? ›

Some commitments are large, like marriage. When you take a job, you're making a commitment to show up and do the job well, and your employer makes a commitment to pay you. There are smaller commitments too. If you said you'd meet a friend at six, that's a commitment — show up or your friend will be mad.

Do I have to pay a commitment fee? ›

The lender looks at the buyer's creditworthiness and payment potential. At that point, they will tell the buyer if they are willing to provide a loan commitment or not. If they are willing, the buyer will pay the commitment fee to the lender to secure the loan promise.

How is commitment fee paid? ›

The percentage fee generally varies between 0.25% and 1%. The fee is usually paid after the credit agreement's been finalized. However, the amount can be charged periodically if it is charged on the undistributed loan. In such cases, the fee is based on the average balance of the undisbursed loan amount.

What is the minimum commitment fee? ›

Minimum Commitment Fees means the Fees associated with minimum commitments, as specified in the Order Form. Minimum Commitment Fees . The minimum Fees set forth in a Service Order, defining the scope of Customer's purchase commitment for the Subscription Term.

What is the commitment fee also known as? ›

Also known as commitment commission. A fee payable by the borrower to the lender under a loan agreement calculated by reference to the amount of the undrawn and uncancelled loan during the availability period.

What is stand by commitment fee? ›

Standby fee is a term used in the banking industry to refer to the amount that a borrower pays to a lender to compensate for the lender's commitment to lend funds.

Is a commitment fee an upfront fee? ›

Unlike an upfront fee, a commitment fee is a yearly fee. One can calculate this fee by multiplying the unused portion of a credit line by the commitment rate.

What is the difference between commitment fee and unused fee? ›

Commitment Fee vs Unused Fee

Commitment fees and unused fees sound similar because they are both charged on the unused portion of your asset-based line. However, there is a key difference between the 2 fees – unused line fees are charged monthly, while commitment fees are charged annually.

What is commitment cost? ›

A committed cost is an investment that a business entity has already made and cannot recover by any means, as well as obligations already made that the business cannot get out of. You should be aware of which costs are committed costs when reviewing company expenditures for possible cutbacks or asset sales.

What is a commitment fee in a term sheet? ›

What does Commitment fee mean? A fee charged by a lender or a borrower for the undrawn portion of a committed loan facility, which is typically paid quarterly in arrears.

Is a commitment fee an origination fee? ›

Commitment fees are charged to compensate the lender for holding funds and reserving the credit line for the borrower. Origination fees, on the other hand, are charged to cover the lender's cost of processing the loan application, including underwriting, document preparation, and credit checks.

What is payment of commitment fee? ›

A commitment fee is a fee that is charged by a lender to a borrower to compensate the lender for keeping a credit line open. The fee also secures a lender's promise to provide the credit line on the agreed terms at specific dates, regardless of the conditions of the financial markets.

What does it mean to be charged with commitment? ›

California Committment Orders

A commitment order is a court-issued directive to confine a specific individual in a correctional institution, hospital or other institution for the foreseeable future. Specifically, a court directs legal enforcement officials to transport an offender or a patient to such venues.

What are two examples of financial commitment? ›

Financial commitments are pledges to meet certain expenses in future. They can include your rent, utilities, insurance, loan repayments and tax bills.

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