11 Best Mortgage Lenders for ITIN Loans

Last updated on December 17, 2024
Written by 
Kate Wood
Lead Writer/Spokesperson
Jeanette Margle
Edited by 
Jeanette Margle
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
Barbara Marquand
Co-written by 
Senior Writer
Kate Wood
Written by 
Lead Writer/Spokesperson
Jeanette Margle
Edited by 
Jeanette Margle
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

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11 Best Mortgage Lenders for ITIN Loans

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

Top 3 most visited 🏆
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at New American Funding
at New American Funding
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

580

3%

First Federal Bank

First Federal Bank: NMLS#408902

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at First Federal Bank
at First Federal Bank
4.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for online experience

620

3%

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at First Federal Bank
at First Federal Bank
Network Capital

Network Capital: NMLS#11712

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on NerdWallet
4.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for customer service

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
CrossCountry Mortgage

CrossCountry Mortgage: NMLS#3029

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for fast closing

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Rate

Rate: NMLS#2611

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
New American Funding
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at New American Funding
at New American Funding
New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItNew American Funding offers a large menu of loan products, as well as programs like first-time home buyer assistance, but personalized mortgage rates aren't available on its website.
Pros
  • Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages, as well as unique buyer assistance programs.
  • Its home equity line of credit can be used for a primary residence or second home.
Cons
  • Average origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Personalized mortgage rates are not available on the website without providing contact information.
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First Federal Bank
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at First Federal Bank
at First Federal Bank
First Federal Bank

First Federal Bank: NMLS#408902

4.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItFirst Federal Bank Mortgage Lenders stands out for its focus on government loan lending, and will likely appeal to FHA, VA and other niche loan borrowers.
Pros
  • Over 40% of all loans last year were FHA, VA or USDA loans.
  • Average mortgage rates are on the lower side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Offers 15-, 20-, 25-, and 30-year repayment terms, which is unusually flexible.
Cons
  • No dedicated mobile app for mortgage borrowers.
  • Some loans (including home equity products) are geographically limited.
Network Capital
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Network Capital

Network Capital: NMLS#11712

4.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItNetwork Capital stands out for its wide range of mortgage offerings, including niche products like physician loans, non-QM loans, ITIN loans and mortgages for manufactured homes.
Pros
  • Reported average time to close is 20 days, far below the industry average.
  • Products like non-QM loans and ITIN loans make borrowing more accessible.
  • HELOCs offer long draw terms, up to 30 years.
Cons
  • The lender’s website offers limited loan details.
  • HELOCs have a minimum loan amount of $50,000.
CrossCountry Mortgage
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CrossCountry Mortgage

CrossCountry Mortgage: NMLS#3029

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItCrossCountry Mortgage has an impressive selection of grants and loans for first-time buyers, and customer service receives high praise, but it doesn’t post rates online or offer a mobile app.
Pros
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
  • Qualified borrowers can receive up to $6,500 in down payment assistance.
  • Offers conventional loans for manufactured homes.
Cons
  • Doesn’t post rates online.
  • No mobile app.
  • Fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
Rate
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Rate

Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItRate boasts a streamlined application process, with full underwriting in as little as one business day, though average fees are higher than many competitors’.
Pros
  • Fully underwritten mortgage approval in as little as one day for qualified borrowers.
  • Generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, jumbo and renovation.
  • Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
Cons
  • Origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • HELOC requires immediate, full withdrawal of funds.
Flagstar
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Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItFlagstar Bank stands out for its range of accessible loans and programs, including loans with flexible requirements and down payment grant options. Its mortgage operations will be acquired by Mr. Cooper in 2024.
Pros
  • Conventional loan terms extend to 40 years, which is unusually flexible.
  • Offers options for high-balance mortgages.
  • Offers specialized mortgages for professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, starting their careers.
  • Reported average time to close (20-30 days) is faster than industry standard.
Cons
  • The lender’s mobile app is focused on banking, not mortgages.
  • Conventional fixed-rate mortgages require a 5% minimum down payment, higher than some competitors.
AmeriSave
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AmeriSave

AmeriSave: NMLS#1168

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItAmeriSave’s rate-buydown program, online tools, customer service and comparably low rates will appeal to first-time buyers, though fees are generally higher than competitors.
Pros
  • A temporary buydown program lowers buyers’ interest rates in their first year.
  • Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • A home equity line of credit is available.
Cons
  • Average origination fees are on the high side compared to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Mortgage rates are not published online.
  • Doesn't originate mortgages in the state of New York.
State Employees' Credit Union
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State Employees' Credit Union

State Employees' Credit Union: NMLS#430055

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItState Employee's Credit Union in North Carolina has some of the lowest average mortgage rates of lenders we review, as well as generous grants and specialty loans for first time home buyers who meet its membership criteria.
Pros
  • Offers a no-down-payment mortgage without private mortgage insurance.
  • Participates in multiple first-time buyer assistance programs.
  • Very low average mortgage rates, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Credit union membership eligibility is limited.
  • Loans only available in five states.
  • Doesn’t offer government-backed mortgages.
Guild Mortgage
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Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGuild offers a number of loans and programs that stand out, including renovation loans and home equity products. However, Guild does not have a mobile app, and interest rates aren’t published online.
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.
Carrington
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Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItCarrington Mortgage offers loans for people who might have trouble qualifying for a mortgage elsewhere, like self-employed borrowers or those with heavy debt. However, its interest rates are on the high side.
Pros
  • Considers borrowers with bad credit, foreclosure or bankruptcy.
  • Accepts self-employed borrowers.
  • Mortgage origination fees are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Interest rates are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Doesn’t post interest rates online.
  • No online chat for customer service.
loanDepot
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loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItLoanDepot is a large nonbank lender that offers the potential for a streamlined mortgage process and cash back, but to start an application or get a rate quote you must work with a loan officer over the phone.
Pros
  • Offers a variety of repayment terms for fixed-rate loans.
  • Does a substantial amount of business in FHA lending.
  • mello smartloan product can streamline mortgage application, appraisal and title search.
Cons
  • Interest rates are not available on the website.
  • Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.

What is an ITIN?

An ITIN, or individual taxpayer identification number, is a number issued by the Internal Revenue Service to someone who isn't eligible to have a Social Security number but is required to file a federal tax return. Immigrants who are living and working here legally but aren't U.S. citizens are among those who may need ITINs. The IRS website has instructions on how to apply for an ITIN.

Video preview image

What are ITIN mortgages?

ITIN mortgages are home loans for people who don't have and aren't eligible to get Social Security numbers. A borrower applies for an ITIN mortgage by providing an individual taxpayer identification number and other documentation.

Where can I find ITIN loans?

Only certain banks, credit unions and other lenders offer ITIN loans, so you may need to do more shopping around than an applicant would for a traditional mortgage. Not all lenders that offer ITIN loans make that information easy to find — for example, by featuring ITIN loans on their websites — so you may need to make some phone calls to confirm availability and details.

Qualifying for an ITIN mortgage

Mortgage lenders usually use an applicant's Social Security number to track down the person's credit history from the credit reporting bureaus. Without a Social Security number, lenders must rely on other documentation, such as tax returns, bank statements and utility bills.

The documentation and credit requirements vary by lender, but for an ITIN loan you'll generally need to show proof of two years of employment and two years of tax returns and be prepared to make a higher down payment than for a traditional mortgage. The down payment requirement for an ITIN mortgage is typically 10% to 20%, and applicants may need to show they have a certain amount of cash reserves.

What are interest rates like for ITIN loans?

ITIN loans tend to have higher mortgage interest rates than conventional home loans, because lenders consider ITIN loans to be higher risk. In addition to not being able to pull a credit history for the borrower, lenders typically need to keep ITIN mortgages on their own books, because these nonconforming loans are not government-backed and generally can't be resold. Lenders will charge a bit more to cover the risk of being stuck with the loan in case of borrower default.

Last updated on December 17, 2024

Methodology

The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's home loans overall star ratings. Read more about how we determine those ratings.

The lenders on this page are chosen using this methodology:

NerdWallet reviewed more than 50 mortgage lenders, including the majority of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders by annual loan volume (measured among lenders with at least a 1% market share), lenders with significant online search volume, and those that specialize in serving various audiences across the country.

For inclusion in this roundup, lenders must offer ITIN mortgage loans and achieve at least an overall 3-star rating from NerdWallet.

NerdWallet solicits information from reviewed lenders on a recurring basis throughout the year. All lender-provided information is verified through lender websites and surveys. We also used 2022 HMDA data for origination volume, origination fee, rate spread and share-of-product data.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Mortgage Lenders for ITIN Loans

  • New American Funding: Best for first-time home buyers
  • First Federal Bank: Best for online experience
  • Network Capital: Best for customer service
  • CrossCountry Mortgage: Best for fast closing
  • Rate: Best for first-time home buyers
  • Flagstar: Best for mortgage lending overall
  • AmeriSave: Best for fast closing
  • State Employees' Credit Union: Best for credit union lending
  • Guild Mortgage: Best for nontraditional credit histories
  • Carrington: Best for nontraditional credit histories
  • loanDepot: Best for streamlined process
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