The $5,000 surety bond is a requirement imposed by SAG-AFTRA for any talent agency that wishes to become a SAG-AFTRA franchised agency. This bond protects the union's members (actors, broadcasters, performers) from unethical or unlawful practices by the agency, such as:
Failing to pay talent their due wages
Charging illegal fees
Breaching SAG-AFTRA’s rules and regulations