9 Best Hawaii Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Searching for a mortgage in Hawaii? Here are well-reviewed mortgage lenders that focus on borrowers with varying needs.

Last updated on January 21, 2021
Written by 
NerdWallet
Beth Buczynski
Edited by 
Beth Buczynski
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
NerdWallet
Written by 
Beth Buczynski
Edited by 
Beth Buczynski
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

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  • Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's mortgage content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in home lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Newsweek and many other national, regional and local publications. They have been cited in publications including The Wall Street Journal, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast as well as local TV and radio.

9 Best Hawaii Mortgage Lenders of 2021

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
National / regional
Learn more
NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

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at NBKC
at NBKC
Refinancing
Best for cash-out refinances

620

National

Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

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at Veterans United
at Veterans United
5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

620

National

Learn more
at Veterans United
at Veterans United
Rate

Rate: NMLS#2611

4.5
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

580

National

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
2.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for basic fixed-rate loans

620

National

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

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4.5
/5
FHA loans
Best for FHA loans

540

Regional

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Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

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5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

N/A

National

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PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

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4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for conventional loans

620

National

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Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

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5.0
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

N/A

National

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Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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5.0
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

720

National

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on NerdWallet
NBKC
Learn more
at NBKC
at NBKC
NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

4.5
Refinancing
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want low rates and fees and an online experience with phone support. VA loans are an emphasis.
Pros
  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.
Cons
  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read Full Review
Veterans United
Learn more
at Veterans United
at Veterans United
Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItVeterans United is the largest VA loan originator in the country by far, according to the latest federal data.
Pros
  • Specializes in working with military borrowers.
  • Offers VA refinancing.
  • Sample interest rates are posted online.
Cons
  • Interest rates are on the higher end compared to other VA lenders.
  • Does not offer VA renovation loans.
Rate

Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGuaranteed rate stands out for offering a range of VA loans, including renovation loans, refinancing, energy-efficient mortgages and Native American Direct Loans.
Pros
  • Offers VA renovation loans.
  • Offers VA refinancing.
  • Offers VA energy-efficient mortgages and Native American Direct Loans.
Cons
  • VA interest rates and origination fees are average.
Fairway Independent Mortgage
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

2.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItFairway Independent Mortgage Corporation has many brick-and-mortar branches and a reputation for top-notch customer service, but it was recently penalized for redlining.
Pros
  • Loan options include government-backed mortgages and physician loans.
  • Offers first-time home buyer grants to buyers in eligible locations.
  • Highest scoring mortgage lender for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates aren't posted online.
  • Online customer service requires contact information and phone is for existing customers only.
  • Home equity loans and HELOCs are not available.
  • Has been penalized for redlining.
Guild Mortgage
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Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

4.5
Min. credit score

540

Min. down payment

3.5%

Why We Like ItGuild offers flexibility for borrowers with nontraditional credit. Down payment assistance is generous, especially for low-income borrowers in underserved communities.
Pros
  • Offers several programs to make homeownership more accessible.
  • Offers loans for manufactured homes.
  • Renovation loan options are available.
Cons
  • Does not publish interest rates online.
  • No mortgage mobile app.
  • Loans are not available in every state.
Navy Federal
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Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

Min. down payment

0%

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItNavy Federal Credit Union stands out for having exceptionally low VA interest rates and fees.
Pros
  • Best-scoring VA lender for interest rates and fees.
  • Offers VA refinancing.
  • Specializes in working with military borrowers.
Cons
  • Does not offer VA renovation loans.
PrimeLending
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PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItPrimeLending stands out for its wide variety of loan types, including non-QM loans and renovation and construction options, but lacks some technical features like online rates or a mobile app.
Pros
  • Offers closing cost assistance.
  • Wide variety of loan types, including non-QM loans.
  • Mortgages are available for manufactured homes, including 3D-printed houses.
Cons
  • Loans are not available in all states.
  • Rates are not posted online.
  • Does not have a mobile app.
Citibank
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Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

5.0
National / regional

National

Min. down payment

N/A

Why We Like ItCiti offers banking customers reductions on already competitive interest rates, and almost 50% of the mortgages it originated in 2023 were jumbo loans.
Pros
  • Offers closing cost credit and interest rate reductions for current Citibank customers.
  • Low average mortgage rates relative to other lenders, according to the latest data.
  • Originated the highest percentage of jumbo loans in 2023 of all NerdWallet-reviewed lenders.
Cons
  • Must contact the lender in order to get a personalized rate quote.
  • Preapproval and mortgage applications require a phone call to complete.
Bank of America
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Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0
Min. credit score

720

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: low- to moderate-income buyers who qualify for down payment or closing cost assistance programs and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
  • Existing customers who meet certain qualifications can receive a discount on mortgage lender origination fees and HELOC interest rates.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation or construction-to-permanent mortgage loans.
  • Must enroll in online banking to access Home Loan Navigator.
  • Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.

More from NerdWallet:

Last updated on January 21, 2021

Methodology

NerdWallet's star ratings for mortgage lenders are awarded based on our evaluation of the products and services each lender offers to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The five key areas we evaluated include the variety of loan types and products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Hawaii Mortgage Lenders of 2021

  • NBKC: Best for cash-out refinances
  • Veterans United: Best for VA loans
  • Rate: Best for VA loans
  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for basic fixed-rate loans
  • Guild Mortgage: Best for FHA loans
  • Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
  • PrimeLending: Best for conventional loans
  • Citibank: Best for jumbo loans
  • Bank of America: Best for jumbo loans
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