From Longman Business Dictionaryupfront feeˈupfront ˌfee1[countable]COMMERCE another name for ADVANCE FEEIn return for a $500 upfront fee, the broker promised to help Mr Haze find money.2[countable]FINANCE an amount of money paid by an investor to a MUTUAL FUND to manage their investmentSYNLOADAn investor who places $10,000 for 15 years in a fund that charges an upfront fee of 0.75% of assets pays the equivalent of a $900 load. → fee