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9 Best Montana Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Looking for a home loan in Montana? Browse this list of top lenders offering in-person mortgage help, online convenience and more.

NerdWallet
By
Last updated on January 20, 2021
Edited by
✅ Fact checked and reviewed
Beth Buczynski
Edited by
✅ Fact checked and reviewed

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.

  • 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.
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.

Best Montana Mortgage Lenders

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

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at Veterans United
at Veterans United
VA loans
Best for VA loans

620

0%

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for online experience

620

3%

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

720

5%

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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

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on NerdWallet
4.5
/5
HELOCs
Best for HELOC

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for face-to-face service

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
US Bank

US Bank: NMLS#402761

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for face-to-face service

620

5%

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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

0%

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on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

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on NerdWallet
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

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on NerdWallet
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Veterans United
Learn more
at Veterans United
at Veterans United
Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

4.5
VA loans
NerdWallet rating
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
  • Offers 24/7 customer service over the phone.
  • Offers a free credit counseling service.
  • Mortgage rates are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Parent company’s mortgage rates are on the higher side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Does not offer second mortgage options like home equity loans or HELOCs.
Read Full Review
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.
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.
Chase
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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

National / regional

National

Max LTV

80%

Min. credit score

620

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want a wide selection of loan products, an in-person experience and comparatively low interest rates.
Pros
  • Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products, including DreaMaker and Standard Agency mortgages, with down payments as low as 3%.
  • Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Offers a customizable mortgage calculator for personalized rate and payment estimates.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer home improvement loans, such as FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.
  • You have to speak with a home loan adviser to complete the application.
  • Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) are currently unavailable.
Wells Fargo
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on NerdWallet
Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: existing customers of the bank looking for a wide selection of mortgage products, as well as self-employed borrowers and home buyers without Social Security numbers.
Pros
  • Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.
  • Offers a wide variety of loan types and products, including options for borrowers who work for themselves and those without Social Security numbers.
  • Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.
  • Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
  • Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
US Bank
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on NerdWallet
US Bank

US Bank: NMLS#402761

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who are financing home improvement projects.
Pros
  • Offers a range of loan types, including FHA loans, VA loans and home equity options.
  • Lists sample mortgage rates and APRs for many of its products online, including a breakdown of estimated monthly payments.
  • Their mobile app is highly rated in the App Store.
Cons
  • Sample mortgage rates are not customizable, and many estimated conventional and jumbo rates assume a down payment of at least 25%.
  • We were unable to contact a representative by phone.
  • Lender site does not have a live chat feature.
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.
Guild Mortgage
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on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who value customer service, and first-time home buyers and others who may need the flexibility of a low-down-payment loan program.
Pros
  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including home improvement loans and mortgages for manufactured homes.
  • Has branches in most states.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Origination fees and mortgage rates tend to be on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Mortgage rates are not published online.
  • Mobile app receives mostly negative reviews from users.
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.

More from NerdWallet:
Compare Montana mortgage rates
Calculate your Montana mortgage payment
Find first-time home buyer programs in your state

Last updated on January 20, 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 Montana Mortgage Lenders of 2021

  • Veterans United: Best for VA loans
  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for online experience
  • Bank of America: Best for jumbo loans
  • Chase: Best for HELOC
  • Wells Fargo: Best for face-to-face service
  • US Bank: Best for face-to-face service
  • Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
  • Guild Mortgage: Best for first-time home buyers
  • PrimeLending: Best for first-time home buyers
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