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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NerdWallet
NerdWallet
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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.
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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.

9 Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
National / regional
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Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

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at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
Refinancing
Best for refinancing

580

National

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at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
PNC

PNC: NMLS#446303

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5.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for government-backed loans

620

National

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on NerdWallet
SoFi

SoFi: NMLS#696891

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

Regional

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Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

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4.5
/5
Refinancing
Best for refinancing

620

National

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Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for traditional banks

660

National

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loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

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3.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for government-backed loans

620

National

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Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

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4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for traditional banks

N/A

National

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Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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4.5
/5
Home equity loans
Best for home equity products

680

National

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on NerdWallet
US Bank

US Bank: NMLS#402761

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4.5
/5
Home equity loans
Best for home equity products

660

National

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on NerdWallet
Guaranteed Rate
Learn more
at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0
Refinancing
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

580

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a broad menu of loans, including jumbo and interest-only options, renovation loans and government-backed mortgages, as well as home equity lines of credit.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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.
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PNC
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PNC

PNC: NMLS#446303

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers with low to moderate incomes or limited down payments, as well as home buyers seeking mortgages in higher-priced regions of the nation.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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.
SoFi
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SoFi

SoFi: NMLS#696891

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: existing SoFi members or those willing to create an account to access a seamless digital experience, from mortgage application to chat support.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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.
Chase
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Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

4.5
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

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 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.
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.
Bank of America
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Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

660

Min. down payment

5%

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers looking for low- or no-down-payment options and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • 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.
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.
loanDepot
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loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who are comfortable with an entirely online experience, and who want a one-stop shop for buying and selling.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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
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Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
National / regional

National

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: Rates-focused borrowers who are Citi customers, or home buyers seeking down payment assistance.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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.
Flagstar
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Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

4.5
Home equity loans
NerdWallet rating
Max LTV

85%

Min. credit score

680

Why We Like ItGood 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.
  • Borrowers can apply and track loan status online.
  • Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.
Cons
  • Home equity loans are geographically limited.
  • Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
US Bank
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US Bank

US Bank: NMLS#402761

4.5
Home equity loans
NerdWallet rating
Max LTV

80%

Min. credit score

660

Why We Like ItU.S. Bank customers who can benefit from a rate discount and other homeowners seeking flexible terms without closing costs.
Pros
  • Sample rates customizable by location are posted online.
  • Flexible terms from five to 30 years.
  • No application fee or closing costs.
Cons
  • Maximum loan amount is 80% of home equity.
  • Not available in all 50 states.

» 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.

  • 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.

To recap our selections...

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
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