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.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
9 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: NMLS#446303 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 SoFi: NMLS#696891 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | Regional | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Chase: NMLS#399798 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 660 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Citibank: NMLS#412915 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | N/A | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 680 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 US Bank: NMLS#402761 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 660 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet |
- Offers a one-day mortgage approval process.
- Offers a generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, ITIN, jumbo, and renovation loans.
- Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
- HELOC has a relatively short draw period, which may not provide flexibility for someone who wants the option of accessing home equity over a longer period.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Borrowers can lock in their rate for up to 91 days after preapproval.
- Borrowers may experience difficulty with customer service.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Rate estimator tool doesn’t personalize by credit score.
- Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.
- 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.
- 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%
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Home equity loans are geographically limited.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- No application fee or closing costs.
- Sample rates customizable by location are posted online.
- Rate discount for banking customers.
- Maximum loan amount is 80% of home equity.
- Only two term lengths: 10 or 15 years.
- 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: 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
- US Bank: Best for home equity products
