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10 Best Mortgage Lenders of January 2021 for Jumbo Loans

Jumbo loans are for homes with prices that exceed the conforming loan limit. We'll help you choose from some of the best jumbo loan lenders of 2021.

NerdWalletJanuary 1, 2021
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If you're shopping for a mortgage in a high-cost area or buying a large and expensive home, you may be looking for a jumbo loan — one that's too big to fit Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's requirements.

If you're in the market for a jumbo mortgage, it's essential to choose a lender with experience dealing with the special requirements of jumbo loans.

NerdWallet has picked some of the best mortgage lenders for borrowers looking for a jumbo loan in a variety of categories so you can quickly determine which one is right for you.

Summary of Best Mortgage Lenders of January 2021 for Jumbo Loans

Ally Bank

at Ally Bank

Ally Bank: NMLS#181005

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Ally Bank

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

20%

at Ally Bank

Why we like it

Ally Home offers online mortgage applications and loan tracking, with an emphasis on jumbo loans. But borrowers who want FHA or VA loans are out of luck.

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.

Read Full Review
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

20%

at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who appreciate smartphone and online convenience for a fully digital home loan experience powered by Quicken Loans.

Pros

  • Caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan online and talk to a human only as necessary.

  • Estimates the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes.

  • Offers document and asset retrieval capabilities.

Cons

  • If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.

  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can lower your credit score by a few points.

Read Full Review
Better.com

at Better.com

Better.com: NMLS#330511

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Better.com

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

N/A

at Better.com

Why we like it

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

Pros

  • An online process with human help as needed.

  • Makes it easy to see customized mortgage rates.

  • Offers an "underwriter-reviewed" preapproval letter in as little as 24 hours.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.

  • Doesn't do FHA, VA or USDA loans.

Read Full Review
Guaranteed Rate

at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Guaranteed Rate

Min. Credit Score

N/A

Min. Down Payment

20%

at Guaranteed Rate

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers seeking conventional or government-backed loans, and a totally online experience.

Pros

  • Offers the ability to securely upload and digitally sign loan documents.

  • Displays detailed sample rates for many of its loan products.

Cons

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

Read Full Review
Chase

at Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Chase

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

20%

at Chase

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want a name-brand bank, with offices in more than half the states, that charges lower rates and fees than many other lenders.

Pros

  • Allows electronic submission and tracking of loan documents.

  • Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products.

  • Generally offers good rates and charges reasonable fees.

Cons

  • You have to speak with a home loan advisor to complete the application.

Read Full Review
Fairway Independent Mortgage

at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Fairway Independent Mortgage

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

N/A

at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want access to a wide variety of mortgages and the convenience of a comprehensive mobile application process.

Pros

  • Offers a robust suite of loan products, including a variety of renovation loans.

  • Has a digital application that can be completed in 10 minutes.

  • Works with some state housing finance agencies to offer mortgages with down payment and closing cost assistance.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates aren't posted online.

Read Full Review
Flagstar
Read review

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Flagstar

Min. Credit Score

N/A

Min. Down Payment

10%

Read review

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

  • Has a full suite of online conveniences.

  • Does well with rate transparency, and monthly payment estimates add mortgage insurance, when applicable.

Cons

  • Availability of some loan products may be geographically limited.

Read Full Review
SunTrust (Truist)
Read review

SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
SunTrust (Truist)

Min. Credit Score

N/A

Min. Down Payment

N/A

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers, doctors and other borrowers interested in low-down-payment mortgage options.

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including special programs for doctors, entrepreneurs and other professionals.

  • Offers a complete suite of online mortgage application tools and loan tracking.

  • Sample rates and fees are easy to find on the website.

Cons

  • Customized rates aren't available online without starting an application.

  • Branches are limited mostly to the Southeast.

Read Full Review
Citibank
Read review

Citibank: NMLS#412915

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Citibank

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

10%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: Borrowers wanting to compare mortgage rates online for a variety of loan options.

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including low-down-payment mortgages and jumbo mortgages.

  • Provides customizable mortgage rates on its website.

  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders.

Cons

  • Charges a mortgage application fee.

  • Requires help from a mortgage loan officer to complete the loan application online.

Read Full Review
PNC
Read review

PNC: NMLS#446303

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
PNC

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

20%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for those looking for online application support and a variety of jumbo loan term options

Pros

  • Online tools help you estimate mortgage payments and track application progress.

  • Can be used for primary or second home purchases.

  • $5 million max jumbo loan amount.

Cons

  • It's not possible to complete the entire mortgage process online.

  • In-person service is not available in every state.

Read Full Review

Last updated on January 1, 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 Mortgage Lenders of January 2021 for Jumbo Loans