Best of
Best Missouri Mortgage Lenders of 2019
NerdWalletJuly 2, 2019
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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.
at Quicken Loans
at Quicken Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal choice for convenience and quick-response customer service. Quicken Loans provides just about all the services your neighborhood lender does — with online convenience.
Pros
- Quicken Loans couples a fully online application with available mortgage advisors for those who want a human touch.
- Instantly verifies employment and income for more than 60% of working Americans.
- Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms that are between eight and 30 years.
- Provides FHA-backed loans, USDA loans as well as products offered by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae that require down payments as low as 3%.
Cons
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.
- Doesn’t consider alternative credit data. It just looks at credit scores and debt-to-income ratios, the way most mortgage lenders always have.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for those who appreciate the full-service experience of a leading regional bank. Flagstar offers a full menu of fixed and adjustable home loans and mortgage refinancing, as well as jumbo loans and home equity financing.
Pros
- Embraces FHA-backed home loans.
- Offers three construction loans.
- A professional loan package is tailored for the needs of doctors, lawyers, architects and certified public accountants.
- Flagstar reps are familiar with low-down-payment state bond programs for first-time home buyers and income-limited households, as well as the areas that qualify for USDA loans.
- Offers home equity loans and home equity lines of credit.
Cons
- Charges an average $1,000 origination fee.
at NBKC Bank
at NBKC Bank
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for those seeking an online experience with personal support. NBKC offers a wide range of loans, a mobile app and VA loan expertise.
Pros
- Complete and track your application online, and sign documents electronically.
- Free rate locks.
- No lender fee for VA borrowers.
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Cons
- Not the best choice for low-credit-score borrowers.
- Mortgage origination fee for most borrowers.
- In-person service available only in the Kansas City area.
at Rocket Mortgage
at Rocket Mortgage
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for anyone who appreciates smartphone app service, support and time savings. A fully digital home loan experience with a large variety of mortgage products.
Pros
- The site caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan without talking to a human unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- With your authorization, accesses asset statements from 98% of U.S. financial institutions.
- Tells you the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes.
- Rocket Mortgage’s document and asset retrieval capabilities can save you a bunch of time and hassle.
Cons
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.
- Doesn’t consider alternative credit data. It just looks at credit scores and debt-to-income ratios, the way most mortgage lenders always have.
at Vylla
at Vylla
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for first-time home buyers or credit-challenged borrowers who may have trouble qualifying for a mortgage.
Pros
- Low minimum credit score.
- Online application, loan tracking and document upload.
- Free rate locks.
Cons
- No online preapproval.
- No presence in Massachusetts or North Dakota.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who prefer a traditional bank. Bank of America offers a wide array of mortgages and online account management tools. It also has first-time home buyer loans with low down payments and no mandatory mortgage insurance.
Pros
- Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.
- Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- Accepts alternative credit data for some loan types.
- May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.
Cons
- Charges an application fee of $1,170, on average.
- Has a high volume of consumer complaints, even for a big national bank.
at New American
at New American
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit. New American Funding offers FHA and VA loans, works with down payment assistance programs, and seeks borrowers whose credit histories don't fit the mold of traditional banking.
Pros
- Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness.
- Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.
Cons
- Services not available in all 50 states.
National / Regional
National
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who want lots of options and a quick turn time. Fairway Independent Mortgage offers a full selection of home loans along with a comprehensive mobile app for a fast and easy application process.
Pros
- A robust suite of loan products.
- Licensed in all 50 states.
- Close in as little as 10 days using the Fairway app.
Cons
- Limited branch locations.
- Mortgage rates not posted on website.
at NBKC Bank
at NBKC Bank
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for those seeking an online experience with personal support. NBKC offers a wide range of loans, a mobile app and VA loan expertise.
Pros
- Complete and track your application online, and sign documents electronically.
- Free rate locks.
- No lender fee for VA borrowers.
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Cons
- Not the best choice for low-credit-score borrowers.
- Mortgage origination fee for most borrowers.
- In-person service available only in the Kansas City area.
at Veterans United
at Veterans United
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
0%
Ideal for veterans and active-duty servicemembers. Veterans United is the nation's largest VA home purchase lender but also offers an excellent selection of other government and conventional loans.
Pros
- Also offers FHA, USDA and conventional loans.
- Offers 24/7 customer service.
- You can complete a loan application and pre-qualify online.
- Registers a low volume of complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Offers free credit score education and assistance.
- Provides a client advocate team staffed by former senior enlisted leaders from each branch of the armed forces.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- Loans are available in all 50 states, but Veterans United has offices in only about half.
Summary of Best Missouri Mortgage Lenders of 2019
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quicken Loans at Quicken Loans | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
 Flagstar | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
NBKC at NBKC Bank | online experience + veterans | 620 | 3% | at NBKC Bank |
Rocket Mortgage at Rocket Mortgage | online experience | 620 | 3% | at Rocket Mortgage |
Vylla at Vylla | low down payments | 620 | 3% | at Vylla |
 Bank of America | low down payments | 620 | 3% | Read review |
New American Funding at New American | USDA loans | 620 | 3% | at New American |
 Fairway | USDA loans | N/A | 3% | Read review |
Veterans United at Veterans United | veterans | 620 | 0% | at Veterans United |
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quicken Loans at Quicken Loans | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
Flagstar | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
NBKC at NBKC Bank | online experience + veterans | 620 | 3% | at NBKC Bank |
Rocket Mortgage at Rocket Mortgage | online experience | 620 | 3% | at Rocket Mortgage |
Vylla at Vylla | low down payments | 620 | 3% | at Vylla |
Bank of America | low down payments | 620 | 3% | Read review |
New American Funding at New American | USDA loans | 620 | 3% | at New American |
Fairway | USDA loans | N/A | 3% | Read review |
Veterans United at Veterans United | veterans | 620 | 0% | at Veterans United |
Last updated on July 2, 2019
Methodology
NerdWallet's selection of mortgage lenders for inclusion here was made based on our evaluation of the products and services that lenders offer to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The six key areas we evaluated include the loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and the number of complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as a percentage of loans issued. We also awarded lenders up to one bonus star for a unique program or borrower focus that set them apart from other lenders. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Missouri Mortgage Lenders of 2019
- Quicken Loans: Best for first-time home buyers
- Flagstar: Best for first-time home buyers
- NBKC: Best for online experience + veterans
- Rocket Mortgage: Best for online experience
- Vylla: Best for low down payments
- Bank of America: Best for low down payments
- New American Funding: Best for USDA loans
- Fairway: Best for USDA loans
- Veterans United: Best for veterans
