9 Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022
San Francisco mortgage lenders vary by size and capabilities. These are highly rated lenders in various home loan categories for Bay Area home buyers.
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.
San Francisco mortgage lenders are about as varied as Bay Area homes. Whether cutting-edge modern or button-down traditional, the capabilities of San Francisco mortgage lenders vary nearly as much as the features of a postmodern home in SoMa compared with a Queen Anne in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.
NerdWallet screened the capabilities of San Francisco mortgage companies in various categories — from national brands to leading local lenders. Here are the results.
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- 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.
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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.
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Explore loans up to $500,000 with no impact on your credit score9 Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | National / regional ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
580 | National | Learn more at Rate | ||
 PNC Bank: NMLS#446303 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 SoFi: NMLS#696891 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | Regional | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Chase: NMLS#399798 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 660 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Citibank: NMLS#412915 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | N/A | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 680 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 U.S. Bank: NMLS#402761 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 660 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet |
- Why We Like ItRate has a wide variety of refinance loan options and a streamlined application process, though refinance origination fees are on the high side.Pros
- Excellent variety of refinance mortgage types.
- Easy to shop for rates on the lender's website.
- Fully underwritten mortgage approval in as little as one day for qualified borrowers.
Cons- Origination fees for refinances are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Why We Like ItPNC Bank has a variety of appealing mortgage options, including jumbo loans, programs for first-time home buyers and home equity lines of credit.Pros
- Low-down-payment loan options include FHA, VA, USDA and PNC Community Loan.
- Jumbo loans available with minimum down payments of 5%.
- Customizable mortgage rates are posted online.
Cons- Average mortgage rates are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- In-person service is not available in every state.
- You’ll have to supply personal data or account info to get answers by phone.
- Why We Like ItSoFi offers standard purchase and refinance mortgage options, but not construction or renovation loans, and stands out for its convenient one-stop-shopping setup.Pros
- Offers a credit up to $10,000 if closing exceeds the contract date and the lender is at fault.
- Sample mortgage rates are highly customizable.
- HELOC borrowers may access up to 90% of their home equity.
Cons- Borrowers may experience difficulty with customer service.
- Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want a wide selection of loan products, an in-person experience and comparatively low interest rates.Pros
- Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products, including mortgages with down payments as low as 3%.
- Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers a customizable mortgage calculator for personalized rate and payment estimates.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons- Doesn't offer home improvement loans, such as FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.
- You have to speak with a home loan adviser to complete the application.
- Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) are currently unavailable.
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
660
5%
National
- Why We Like ItBank of America offers low interest rates, in-person service and plenty of loan options. Current banking customers may be eligible for additional perks.Pros
- Interest rates are lower than most lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance to qualified borrowers.
- Banking customers can get discounted interest rates or fees.
Cons- Mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Rate estimator tool doesn’t personalize by credit score.
- 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.
Citibank: NMLS#412915
National
3%
- Why We Like ItCiti offers solid customer support and a highly rated mobile app. Borrowers need to contact the lender for a customized rate quote or preapproval — but average mortgage rates are among the lowest of lenders we review.Pros
- Very low average interest rates compared to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Closing cost credits and interest rate discounts available.
- Highly rated mobile app.
Cons- Preapproval and application require a phone call to complete.
- Must contact the lender for customized rate quote.
- Doesn’t offer renovation or construction-to-permanent loans.
- Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want a wide range of choices — not only among mortgage products, but also in the channel they prefer, whether a branch, online or on the phone.Pros
- Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.
- Borrowers can apply and track loan status online.
- Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.
Cons- Home equity loans are geographically limited.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Why We Like ItU.S. Bank’s home equity loan stands out for having no application fee or closing costs. However, its 80% loan-to-value borrowing limit is less generous than many other lenders. Sample rates are easy to find online, and a rate discount is available for customers who autopay from a U.S. Bank checking or savings account.Pros
- No application fee or closing costs.
- Sample rates customizable by location are posted online.
- Rate discount for banking customers.
Cons- Maximum loan amount is 80% of home equity.
- Not available in Delaware, South Carolina and Texas.
Local mortgage lenders in San Francisco
If you want to include a local lender or two in your search for the best mortgage, these San Francisco lenders are among the highest-volume mortgage makers in the city. The lenders have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.
Offers single-family, co-op and condo loans.
All-in-one construction-to-permanent loans finance the building of your dream home.
Underwrites vacation and second-home loans.
No-closing-cost options reduce out-of-pocket fees.
Offers loan options that don't require mortgage insurance.
Home hunters can get pre-qualified over the phone “in minutes.”
Combo loans allow the purchase of a property using a primary mortgage and a HELOC.
Portfolio loans provide underwriting flexibility for higher-value homes.
HELOCs feature no application fee or closing costs, subject to some restrictions.
Over 100 branches in Northern California.
An independent mortgage banking firm established in 1996.
Application documents are available online for downloading.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on January 6, 2022
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.
NerdWallet's Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022
- Rate: Best for refinancing
- PNC Bank: Best for government-backed loans
- SoFi: Best for first-time home buyers
- Chase: Best for refinancing
- Bank of America: Best for traditional banks
- loanDepot: Best for government-backed loans
- Citibank: Best for traditional banks
- Flagstar: Best for home equity products
- U.S. Bank: Best for home equity products
