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9 Best Missouri Mortgage Lenders of 2021
Searching for the best Missouri mortgage lender? See our picks for the top lenders in various categories, including borrowers who are first-time home buyers, want a low down payment or seek the convenience of an online process.
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Last updated on January 26, 2021Some 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.
Finding the right Missouri mortgage lender is important when buying a home, but it can feel overwhelming. If comparing credit requirements, interest rates and lender fees makes your head spin, NerdWallet is here to help.
We researched the Show Me State’s leading mortgage lenders, then matched the best ones to five specific borrower needs.
Whether you hope to buy a condo in St. Louis, a split-level in Kansas City or a farmhouse in Excelsior Springs, consider these lenders for your mortgage needs.
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.
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.
Best Missouri Mortgage Lenders
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
620 | 3% | Learn more at NBKC | ||
640 | 0% | Learn more at New American Funding | ||
620 | 1% | Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | ||
 Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289 Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage | 620 | 3% | Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage | |
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 660 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Veterans First Mortgage: NMLS#449042 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 600 | 0% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Carrington: NMLS#2600 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
620 | 0% | Learn more at NBKC |
Learn more
at NBKC
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.
Learn more
at New American Funding
New American Funding: NMLS#6606
4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
640
National / regional
National
Why We Like ItGood 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.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
- Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.
Learn more
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030
4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
620
Min. down payment
1%
Why We Like ItGood for: FHA borrowers and others short on down payment cash, as well as home buyers who value convenience over low fees.
Pros
- Streamlined online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, as well as the ability to edit your preapproval letter.
- Offers the option to work with loan officers by phone if desired.
- Largest FHA lender in the nation.
Cons
- Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289
3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
620
National / regional
National
Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want access to a wide variety of mortgages, including renovation loans and ITIN loans.
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 are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
660
Min. down payment
5%
National / regional
National
Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers looking for low- or no-down-payment options and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
- Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- May give existing customers 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.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Veterans First Mortgage: NMLS#449042
3.5
VA loans
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
600
Min. down payment
0%
Why We Like ItGood for: veterans and active military members interested in a VA, FHA or USDA home loan.
Pros
- Specializes in VA loans and working with military borrowers.
- Offers several low-down-payment government loan options.
Cons
- You can't shop rates online.
- Doesn't offer conventional home loans or renovation mortgages.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Why We Like ItGood for: Borrowers who may benefit from Flagstar’s unique loan options, such as ITIN loans, loans for manufactured homes or physician loans.
Pros
- Multiple loans for those who are renovating or building a home, including loans with interest-only payments during construction.
- Offers home equity loans and lines of credit.
- Offers down payment assistance and loans for underserved borrowers, including ITIN loans and loans with flexible qualifications in certain communities.
- Interest rates are on the low side relative to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Borrowers can enter their information (including their desired loan amount, down payment and zip code) into the lender’s Mortgage Quote Comparison tool and receive a customized rate quote.
Cons
- Home equity loans are not available in all locations served by Flagstar.
- In 2022, the lender was fined for violating laws regarding properties in flood zones.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Why We Like ItGood for: credit-challenged borrowers interested in government loan products or borrowers with nontraditional credit histories.
Pros
- Offers multiple low-down-payment loans.
- Accepts history of bankruptcy, foreclosure and late payments with flexible loan program.
- Considers borrowers with low credit scores and high debt-to-income ratios.
Cons
- Fined $5.25 million for misleading customers about pandemic-era payment relief.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
- Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
Learn more
at NBKC
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.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on January 26, 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.
NerdWallet's Best Missouri Mortgage Lenders of 2021
- NBKC: Best for online experience
- New American Funding: Best for USDA loans
- Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for online experience
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for USDA loans
- Bank of America: Best for low down payments
- Veterans First Mortgage: Best for veterans
- Flagstar: Best for first-time home buyers
- Carrington: Best for low down payments
- NBKC: Best for veterans
