9 Best Hawaii Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Searching for a mortgage in Hawaii? Here are well-reviewed mortgage lenders that focus on borrowers with varying needs.

Last updated on January 21, 2021
Written by 
NerdWallet
Beth Buczynski
Edited by 
Beth Buczynski
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
NerdWallet
Written by 
Beth Buczynski
Edited by 
Beth Buczynski
Lead Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

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.

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NerdWallet's mortgage content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in home lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Newsweek and many other national, regional and local publications. They have been cited in publications including The Wall Street Journal, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast as well as local TV and radio.

9 Best Hawaii Mortgage Lenders of 2021

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
National / regional
Learn more
NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

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at NBKC
at NBKC
Refinancing
Best for cash-out refinances

620

National

Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

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at Veterans United
at Veterans United
4.5
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

620

National

Learn more
at Veterans United
at Veterans United
Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

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at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
4.5
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

580

National

Learn more
at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

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at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for basic fixed-rate loans

620

National

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
FHA loans
Best for FHA loans

540

Regional

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on NerdWallet
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

N/A

National

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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

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on NerdWallet
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for conventional loans

620

National

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on NerdWallet
Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

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on NerdWallet
4.5
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

N/A

National

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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

720

National

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on NerdWallet
NBKC
Learn more
at NBKC
at NBKC
NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

5.0
Refinancing
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood 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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Veterans United
Learn more
at Veterans United
at Veterans United
Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

4.5
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: veterans, active-duty service members and eligible reservists looking for VA loans.
Pros
  • Largest VA lender in the country by far.
  • Offers 24/7 customer service over the phone.
  • Offers a free credit counseling service.
Cons
  • Does not offer second mortgage options like home equity loans or HELOCs.
  • Borrower must provide contact info for customized rates.
Guaranteed Rate
Learn more
at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a solid variety of loan types, including jumbo and interest-only options, and a totally online experience.
Pros
  • Displays detailed sample rates for many of its loan products.
  • Offers a wide variety of loans, including jumbo and interest-only products.
Cons
  • HELOC has a relatively short draw period.
Fairway Independent Mortgage
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers looking for a low-down-payment mortgage, renovation loan, or a specialized mortgage geared to medical professionals.
Pros
  • Offers a robust suite of loan products, including ITIN loans for borrowers without Social Security numbers, renovation loans, government-backed mortgages and loans for self-employed borrowers.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates for different types of loans aren't posted online.
  • Origination fees and mortgage rates are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Guild Mortgage
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on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

4.0
Min. credit score

540

Min. down payment

3.5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a lender that dedicates a significant portion of its business to FHA lending.
Pros
  • Was one of the top 10 lenders by volume for FHA lending in 2022, according to the latest federal data.
  • Has retail branches in most states.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Origination fees for FHA loans tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.
Navy Federal
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on NerdWallet
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages.
Pros
  • Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products, including 0% down payment loans, designed for military members.
  • Offers HELOCs and home equity loans.
  • Offers low rates compared with most lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Website does not provide customized mortgage rates based on credit score or other factors before you apply.
  • Credit union membership is limited to veterans and current military members, their families, and certain federal employees, retirees and contractors.
PrimeLending
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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: those seeking to buy a fixer-upper, build a new home or make renovations.
Pros
  • Offers a broad selection of renovation loans to finance cosmetic upgrades or structural repairs.
  • Issues loan approval letters within 24 hours to borrowers who qualify.
  • Offers resources to connect eligible borrowers with closing cost and down payment assistance programs.
Cons
  • No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for information.
  • Rates and fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Citibank
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on NerdWallet
Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

4.5
National / regional

National

Min. down payment

N/A

Why We Like ItGood for: Rate-focused borrowers who are Citi customers, or home buyers seeking down payment assistance.
Pros
  • Average interest rates are among the lowest compared to other lenders’, according to the latest federal data.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
  • Borrowers with existing Citi accounts may receive discounts.
Cons
  • Customized mortgage rates are not available without contacting the lender.
  • HELOCs and home equity loans are not currently available.
  • No live chat feature on the lender’s site.
Bank of America
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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0
Min. credit score

720

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: low- to moderate-income buyers who qualify for down payment or closing cost assistance programs and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
  • Existing customers who meet certain qualifications can receive a discount on mortgage lender origination fees and HELOC interest rates.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation or construction-to-permanent mortgage loans.
  • Must enroll in online banking to access Home Loan Navigator.
  • Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.

More from NerdWallet:

Last updated on January 21, 2021

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.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Hawaii Mortgage Lenders of 2021

  • NBKC: Best for cash-out refinances
  • Veterans United: Best for VA loans
  • Guaranteed Rate: Best for VA loans
  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for basic fixed-rate loans
  • Guild Mortgage: Best for FHA loans
  • Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
  • PrimeLending: Best for conventional loans
  • Citibank: Best for jumbo loans
  • Bank of America: Best for jumbo loans
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