The Small Business Administration announced a new measure to helpget more small business loans into the hands of veterans.

The agency said Friday it will set the borrower upfront fee tozero for all veteran loans authorized under the SBA Express programup to $350,000. The initiative will start on Jan. 1, 2014 andcontinue through the end of the fiscal year.

Of all SBA loans that go to veterans, 73% are $350,000 andbelow, the SBA said. The agency's Express Loan Program, whichsupports loans under that amount, is SBA's most popular loandelivery method, with nearly 60% of all 7(a) loans over the pastdecade being authorized through the program, according to theSBA.

The announcement comes during SBA's National Veterans SmallBusiness Week, an initiative on the part of the agency's efforts toreach out to veteran entrepreneurs and business owners.

“Our nation's veterans are highly-skilled and highly-trainedleaders in their communities,” said Acting SBA AdministratorJeanne Hulit. “As we honor our veterans and thank them fortheir service and sacrifice, let's continue to identify ways tosupport them when they come home.”