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.
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 and here's how we make money.
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.
- 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.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
580 | National | Learn more at Guaranteed Rate | ||
 PNC: NMLS#446303 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 SoFi: NMLS#696891 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | Regional | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Chase: NMLS#399798 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 660 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Citibank: NMLS#412915 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | N/A | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 680 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 US Bank: NMLS#402761 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 660 | National | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet |
Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611
580
National
- Offers a one-day mortgage approval process.
- Offers a generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, ITIN, jumbo, and renovation loans.
- Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
- HELOC has a relatively short draw period, which may not provide flexibility for someone who wants the option of accessing home equity over a longer period.
- Offers several low-down-payment loan options, including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Mortgage rates are lower than the industry average, according to the latest federal data.
- Jumbo loans available with 5% down payment.
- Doesn't offer renovation mortgages or home equity loans.
- In-person service is not available in every state.
- You’ll have to create an account or supply personal data to get answers by phone.
- Has a highly rated mobile app that integrates with SoFi’s member rewards program.
- Home equity line of credit (HELOC) borrowers can access up to 90% of home’s value, a higher limit than most lenders’.
- Recently expanded mortgage offerings to include government-backed FHA and VA loans.
- Requires users to create an account to access some digital conveniences, including loan application and customer service chat.
- Displays only sample rates on its website. (Users with an online account can request a customized rate quote.)
- Doesn’t offer renovation or construction-to-permanent loans.
- Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products, including 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.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- 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.
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
660
5%
National
- 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.
- 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.
- Offers a variety of repayment terms.
- Online loan calculator lets borrowers compare monthly payments and lifetime interest.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- No sample interest rates are provided.
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Lender’s website does not have a live chat feature.
Citibank: NMLS#412915
National
3%
- Average interest rates are among the lowest compared to other lenders’, according to the latest federal data.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Borrowers with existing Citi accounts may receive discounts.
- Customized mortgage rates are not available without contacting the lender.
- HELOCs and home equity loans are not currently available.
- No live chat feature on the lender’s site.
- Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.
- Borrowers can apply and track loan status online.
- Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.
- Home equity loans are geographically limited.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Sample rates customizable by location are posted online.
- Flexible terms from five to 30 years.
- No application fee or closing costs.
- Maximum loan amount is 80% of home equity.
- Not available in all 50 states.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Over 100 branches in Northern California.
An independent mortgage banking firm established in 1996.
Application documents are available online for downloading.
More from NerdWallet
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.
NerdWallet's Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for refinancing
- PNC: 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
- US Bank: Best for home equity products
