FairMarketValue expands lender platform ahead of new SBA valuation rules

FairMarketValue is broadening its platform for banks and commercial lenders as new SBA SOP requirements take effect Oct. 1, 2026. The firm says the expanded offering will give lenders one place to order business valuations, real estate and equipment appraisals, and quality of earnings work for SBA change-of-ownership loans.

Why it matters: - SBA lenders will face more independent report requirements on more deals starting Oct. 1, 2026. - FairMarketValue is positioning itself as a single provider for the reports lenders need to keep business-acquisition loans moving. - Faster turnaround can reduce delays between credit review and funding for borrowers.

What happened: - FairMarketValue expanded its service platform for banks and commercial lenders. - The expanded platform now includes real estate appraisals, equipment appraisals and Quality of Earnings analysis alongside certified business valuations. - The company says it can already deliver certified business valuations to partner banks in as few as two business days. - The firm said the added services are designed to help lenders meet the Small Business Administration’s new SOP 50 10 8.1 requirements. - Ray Landgraf, Founding Partner at FairMarketValue, said lenders will be able to request a QoE analysis beginning Oct. 1 with the same single-order process.

The details: - SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 will require a Quality of Earnings analysis on any 7(a) change-of-ownership transaction with a purchase price of $3 million or more. - The updated SOP removes the prior $250,000 threshold that allowed lenders to self-perform certain valuations. - Independent, Qualified Source valuations will now be required on every SBA change-of-ownership deal, regardless of size. - FairMarketValue said it has built the framework to support the new QoE work, even though the SBA has not yet released full scope-of-work requirements. - The firm’s proprietary AI-enabled platform draws on one of the largest direct-sourced private-company datasets in the U.S., the company says. - FairMarketValue says the platform helps deliver professional analysis in less time and at lower cost. - The company currently serves SBA-preferred lenders, community banks, credit unions, non-bank SBLCs, CDCs and CDFIs. - FairMarketValue says it has completed thousands of valuations and engagements. - The company’s Banks & Lenders Partner Program offers volume-based pricing, priority turnaround, standardized intake and consolidated billing. - The firm says every engagement is led by credentialed experts. - FairMarketValue says its data asset includes more than 450,000 private company financial statements and institutional transaction data.

Between the lines: - The SBA rule change appears likely to increase demand for independent valuation and QoE services across lower- and middle-market lending. - FairMarketValue is using the rule change to pitch itself as a workflow solution, not just a report provider. - The company is trying to turn speed and bundled services into a competitive advantage for lenders managing active pipelines. - Nathan Tervort, SBA Division President at Northwest Bank, said FairMarketValue reports are thorough, well-supported and hold up in credit committee review. - Tervort also said the firm’s pricing is competitive and offers strong value without sacrificing depth or credibility.

What's next: - FairMarketValue said it will begin fulfilling QoE engagements when the new SOP takes effect Oct. 1, 2026. - Lenders with steady deal flow can use the Banks & Lenders Partner Program for volume pricing and faster turnaround. - The rollout will likely be tested as lenders adjust to the SBA’s expanded independent-report requirements.

The bottom line: - FairMarketValue is betting that SBA rule changes will push lenders toward bundled, faster valuation services delivered through a single point of contact. - More information is available at FairMarketValue.