BEST OF

10 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.

NerdWalletJanuary 27, 2021
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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.

Summary of Best Missouri Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Quicken Loans

at Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Quicken Loans

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

at Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking for just about all of the services your neighborhood lender offers — 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 many working Americans.

  • Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms that are between eight and 30 years.

  • Provides a wide variety of loan types, including renovation loans and all government-backed mortgage products.

Cons

  • Quicken Loans doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.

  • Quicken's lender fees can be stout and it doesn't offset those fees with particularly low mortgage rates.

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Flagstar
Read review

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Flagstar

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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

  • Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.

  • Has a full suite of online conveniences.

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

Cons

  • Home equity lending is geographically limited.

Read Full Review
NBKC

at NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

at NBKC

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers with solid credit who want to pay low fees and get an online experience with phone support. VA loans are an emphasis.

Pros

  • Offers low rates and fees when compared with other lenders.

  • Extends full online capabilities, from application to loan tracking.

  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • Equity lines and construction loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.

  • Doesn’t offer renovation loans.

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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

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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.

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Carrington
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Carrington: NMLS#2600

3.0

NerdWallet rating 
Carrington

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers or credit-challenged borrowers interested in government loan products.

Pros

  • Offers multiple low-down-payment loan programs.

  • May consider alternative credit data, like bank statements and rent payments.

Cons

  • To get sample rates, you'll have to speak with a loan officer.

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOC.

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Bank of America
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Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Bank of America

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers looking for low-down-payment options and existing customers who may get a discount on fees.

Pros

  • Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.

  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

  • May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.

Cons

  • Does not offer renovation loans.

Read Full Review
New American Funding

at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding

Min. Credit Score

640

National / Regional

National

at New American Funding

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit and those interested in various down payment assistance programs.

Pros

  • Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness.

  • Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates offered to borrowers are higher than the government-reported median of all lenders.

Read Full Review
Fairway Independent Mortgage

at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

National

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
NBKC

at NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC

Min. Credit Score

660

Min. Down Payment

0%

at NBKC

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers with solid credit who want to pay low fees and get an online experience with phone support. VA loans are an emphasis.

Pros

  • Offers low rates and fees when compared with other lenders.

  • Extends full online capabilities, from application to loan tracking.

  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • Equity lines and construction loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.

  • Doesn’t offer renovation loans.

Read Full Review
Veterans First Mortgage
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Veterans First Mortgage: NMLS#449042

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Veterans First Mortgage

Min. Credit Score

660

Min. Down Payment

0%

Read review

Why we like it

Good 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.

Read Full Review

Last updated on January 27, 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 Missouri Mortgage Lenders of 2021