9 Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022

San Francisco mortgage lenders vary by size and capabilities. These are highly rated lenders in various home loan categories for Bay Area home buyers.

Last updated on January 6, 2022

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San Francisco mortgage lenders are about as varied as Bay Area homes. Whether cutting-edge modern or button-down traditional, the capabilities of San Francisco mortgage lenders vary nearly as much as the features of a postmodern home in SoMa compared with a Queen Anne in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.

NerdWallet screened the capabilities of San Francisco mortgage companies in various categories — from national brands to leading local lenders. Here are the results.

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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.

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.

9 Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022

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Lender ▾ ▾	NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾	Min. credit score ▾ ▾	National / regional ▾ ▾	Learn more
Rate: NMLS#2611 Learn more at Rate at Rate	4.5 /5 Refinancing Best for refinancing	580	National	Learn more at Rate at Rate
PNC Bank: NMLS#446303 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	5.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for government-backed loans	620	National	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
SoFi: NMLS#696891 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.5 /5 Home loans overall Best for first-time home buyers	620	Regional	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Chase: NMLS#399798 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.0 /5 Refinancing Best for refinancing	620	National	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Bank of America: NMLS#399802 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.5 /5 Home loans overall Best for traditional banks	660	National	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
loanDepot: NMLS#174457 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for government-backed loans	620	National	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Citibank: NMLS#412915 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for traditional banks	N/A	National	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Flagstar: NMLS#417490 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.5 /5 Home equity loans Best for home equity products	680	National	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
U.S. Bank: NMLS#402761 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.0 /5 Home equity loans Best for home equity products	660	National	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet

» MORE: See the best California mortgage lenders

Local mortgage lenders in San Francisco

If you want to include a local lender or two in your search for the best mortgage, these San Francisco lenders are among the highest-volume mortgage makers in the city. The lenders have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.

First Republic

Offers single-family, co-op and condo loans.
All-in-one construction-to-permanent loans finance the building of your dream home.
Underwrites vacation and second-home loans.

Union Bank

No-closing-cost options reduce out-of-pocket fees.
Offers loan options that don't require mortgage insurance.
Home hunters can get pre-qualified over the phone “in minutes.”

Fremont Bank

Combo loans allow the purchase of a property using a primary mortgage and a HELOC.
Portfolio loans provide underwriting flexibility for higher-value homes.
HELOCs feature no application fee or closing costs, subject to some restrictions.

American Pacific Mortgage

Over 100 branches in Northern California.
An independent mortgage banking firm established in 1996.
Application documents are available online for downloading.

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Last updated on January 6, 2022

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 San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022

Rate: Best for refinancing
PNC Bank: Best for government-backed loans
SoFi: Best for first-time home buyers
Chase: Best for refinancing
Bank of America: Best for traditional banks
loanDepot: Best for government-backed loans
Citibank: Best for traditional banks
Flagstar: Best for home equity products
U.S. Bank: Best for home equity products