11 Best Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Lenders of 2025
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An adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, is a home loan with an interest rate that can change over time. In most cases, ARM lenders provide a comparatively low fixed interest rate during an introductory period, which could be as few as three years or as many as 10.
When the introductory period expires, the interest rate adjusts to current market rates. If current rates are lower, your rate and mortgage payment may decrease. But if current rates are higher than the initial rate, your rate and mortgage payment may increase. ARM rates continue to change periodically — commonly, every six months or one year — until you sell, refinance or pay back the mortgage in full.
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Why trust NerdWallet
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
11 Best Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Lenders of 2025
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Better: NMLS#330511 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
620 | 3% | |||
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | N/A | 5% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 PNC Bank: NMLS#446303 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Navy Federal: NMLS#399807 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | N/A | 0% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Pennymac: NMLS#35953 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet |
When is an adjustable-rate mortgage a good idea?
Here are some situations in which an ARM makes sense:
You’ll own the house for a short time. If you might relocate within three, five, seven or 10 years, an ARM may save you money. Military members and their families or doctors in a residency program are two examples of borrowers who may anticipate a move.
You plan to pay off the mortgage quickly. Do you expect a financial windfall, such as an inheritance or lawsuit settlement, in the next few years? An ARM may allow you to make smaller monthly mortgage payments until the money comes in and you pay off the loan.
You expect fixed-rate mortgage rates to decrease. It’s risky and hard to predict, but if you expect fixed-rate mortgage rates to drop below current ARM rates before your introductory period expires, an adjustable-rate mortgage may yield savings until fixed rates drop. Be aware that this option requires you to eventually refinance to a fixed-rate mortgage, which means choosing a lender, getting approved and paying closing costs, just like with your ARM.
When is an adjustable-rate mortgage a bad idea?
An ARM probably isn’t the right choice if:
You plan to put down roots. If you’re buying your forever home and have no plans to move, a fixed-rate mortgage might be more appropriate. While it may have a slightly higher rate, a fixed-rate mortgage involves less risk than an adjustable-rate mortgage, so your investment is better protected.
You want a predictable mortgage payment. Sure, the interest rate on a fixed-rate mortgage may initially be higher than that of an ARM, but you’ll never have to worry about it going up, and you’re always free to refinance your mortgage if rates drop significantly in the years ahead.
Your budget can’t handle a larger mortgage payment. Maybe you’re thinking about going back to school, starting a family or launching a business. These life changes could affect your income in the years ahead. If you’re not 100% sure you could handle a mortgage payment that gets bigger when rates adjust higher, stick with the predictability of a fixed-rate mortgage.
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Last updated on February 19, 2025
Methodology
The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's 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 40 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 confirm the availability of adjustable-rate loans in NerdWallet’s annual mortgage lender survey. The highest scoring lenders according to our home loans overall methodology are featured here.
NerdWallet solicits information from reviewed lenders on a recurring basis throughout the year. All lender-provided information is verified through lender websites and interviews. We also utilized 2023 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data for origination volume, origination fee, average interest rate and share-of-product data.
NerdWallet's Best Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Lenders of 2025
- Better: Best for digital experience
- Rate: Best for fast preapproval
- Flagstar: Best for traditional lending experience
- PNC Bank: Best for first-time homebuyers
- Navy Federal: Best for active military and veterans
- Pennymac: Best for low average mortgage rates
- U.S. Bank: Best for overall mortgage experience
- State Employees' Credit Union: Best for North Carolina borrowers
- First Federal Bank: Best for low average mortgage rates
- Network Capital: Best for fast closings
- SoFi: Best for rate transparency
