BEST OF

11 Best Conventional Mortgage Lenders of 2022

See NerdWallet's top picks for the best conventional mortgage lenders, many of which offer 97% mortgage financing.

By NerdWallet  

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For home buyers with strong credit, solid income and at least a 3% down payment, a conventional mortgage may be the perfect fit. But which lender should you choose?

To help you shop, NerdWallet has picked some of the best conventional mortgage lenders in a variety of categories.

» MORE: Conventional mortgage requirements

Best Conventional Mortgage Lenders

NBKC
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at NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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at NBKC

Why we like it

Good 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.

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Better
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at Better

Better: NMLS#330511

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Better

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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at Better

Why we like it

Good for: tech-savvy borrowers who prefer an online experience.

Pros

  • Offers a program allowing qualifying buyers to make cash offers.

  • Makes it easy to see customized mortgage rates.

  • Average interest rates are on the low end compared to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer USDA loans.

  • VA loans are not available in every state.

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans.

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New American Funding
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at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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at New American Funding

Why we like it

Good for: First-time home buyers and other borrowers looking for a broad array of loan choices.

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages with an emphasis on helping underserved communities.

  • Its home equity line of credit can be used for an owner-occupied or second home.

  • Offers a program to enable buyers to make cash offers.

Cons

  • Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.

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Bethpage Federal Credit Union
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at Bethpage Federal Credit Union

Bethpage Federal Credit Union: NMLS#449104

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Bethpage Federal Credit Union

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Learn more

at Bethpage Federal Credit Union

Why we like it

Bethpage has a good selection of loan options but no USDA mortgages or renovation loans. And while it offers multiple online conveniences, you have to contact the lender for customized rates.

Pros

  • Offers a full array of online conveniences, including loan process updates.

  • Offers financing for cooperatives, a type of home that’s common on the East Coast.

  • Sample mortgage rates available for a variety of loan products.

Cons

  • In-person service available only in Queens and on Long Island, New York.

  • USDA loans are not available.

  • Customized rates not available online.

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Network Capital
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at Network Capital

Network Capital: NMLS#11712

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Network Capital

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Learn more

at Network Capital

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking for a lender with online convenience and mortgage banker assistance.

Pros

  • A good selection of loan products, including government-backed FHA and VA mortgages.

  • Provides “same-as-cash” loan that allows borrowers to compete with cash offers.

  • Online application process is clear and simple to follow.

Cons

  • Doesn't lend in all states.

  • Website doesn’t provide customized mortgage rates.

  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.

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Ally Bank
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Ally Bank: NMLS#181005

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Ally Bank

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: home buyers and mortgage refinancers, including jumbo borrowers, who want a digital experience with limited guidance.

Pros

  • Excels in online convenience, with document upload, loan tracking and e-signatures.

  • Offers good rate transparency; rate shoppers can see customized interest rates.

Cons

  • Limited variety of loan products: FHA, VA and USDA loans are unavailable.

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans and lines of credit.

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Golden 1 Credit Union
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Golden 1 Credit Union: NMLS#669333

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Golden 1 Credit Union

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Golden 1 offers a cost-saving real estate agent program, plus a range of loan types, including jumbos.

Pros

  • Offers a variety of purchase and refinance loans, including jumbo mortgages.

  • Has a preferred real estate agent program that can save a borrower money on closing costs.

  • Offers some flexibility on guidelines for loan qualification.

Cons

  • Does not offer VA or USDA loans.

  • Products available only to California residents.

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Wells Fargo
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Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Wells Fargo

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: existing customers of the bank looking for a wide selection of mortgage products.

Pros

  • Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.

  • Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.

  • Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.

Cons

  • Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.

  • Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.

  • Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.

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Alliant
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Alliant: NMLS#197185

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Alliant

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers who want to avoid mortgage insurance and prefer a digital application process.

Pros

  • Low- or no-down-payment options with no mortgage insurance.

  • Offers a home equity line of credit, or HELOC.

  • Mortgages are available for non-warrantable condominiums.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer government-backed mortgages, like FHA or VA loans.

  • Mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.

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San Diego County Credit Union
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San Diego County Credit Union: NMLS#580585

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
San Diego County Credit Union

Min. down payment

5%

National / regional

Regional
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Why we like it

Good for: Californians who are looking for a conventional or jumbo mortgage and who want to shop rates online.

Pros

  • Offers purchase, refinance and jumbo mortgages, plus loans for second homes and home equity products.

  • Provides customized rate and fee quotes without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • No FHA, VA or USDA mortgages.

  • Loans are available only in California.

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Flagstar
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Flagstar: NMLS#417490

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Flagstar

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good 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.

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Qualifying for a conventional mortgage

Conventional mortgages typically conform to loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and aren’t guaranteed or insured by the federal government.

Qualifying for a conventional loan is generally harder than qualifying for FHA and other government home loans. In addition to a solid income and money for a down payment, you'll need a strong credit history.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on September 12, 2022

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 nearly 60 mortgage lenders, including the majority of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders by annual loan volume (lenders had to have 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 on this roundup, lenders must score a 4.5 or above according to our overall methodology and offer conventional mortgage and refinance loans.

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 2020 HMDA data for origination volume, origination fee, rate spread and share-of-product data.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Conventional Mortgage Lenders of 2022

Frequently asked questions