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11 Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021

If you’re looking for a Tampa mortgage lender, we’ve done the legwork. Here are well-regarded lenders for several types of borrowers.

By
NerdWallet
Mar 7, 2023

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Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders

Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
National / regional
Learn more
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

Read review
4.5/5
Best for low down payments

660

5%

National

BB&T (Truist)

BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803

4.5/5
Best for jumbo loans

N/A

3%

Regional

Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.5/5
Best for online experience

620

3%

National

Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

4.5/5
Best for FHA loans

620

3%

National

Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0/5
Best for online experience

620

3%

National

Homebridge

Homebridge: NMLS#6521

3.5/5
Best for home renovation loans

620

3%

National

loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.0/5
Best for FHA loans

620

5%

National

Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

4.5/5
Best for VA loans

N/A

0%

National

4.5/5
Best for refinancing

620

3%

National

Learn moreat Rocket Mortgage, LLCat Rocket Mortgage, LLC
SunTrust (Truist)

SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

4.5/5
Best for jumbo loans

620

3%

National

USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

4.0/5
Best for VA loans

640

0%

Regional

Bank of America
Read review
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.5
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 loans that roll costs into a mortgage.
BB&T (Truist)

BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803

Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers in the Southeast who want the option of face-to-face service. BB&T is now part of Truist Financial Corp., which offers a full menu of home loans.
Pros
  • Offers a variety of home loans, including construction-to-permanent loans, physicians loans and jumbo loans.
  • Has a robust online mortgage application.
Cons
  • Branches limited to mostly the Southeast region.
  • Custom rates are only available if you speak with a representative.
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.
Pros
  • Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.
  • Participates in some down payment assistance and first-time home buyer programs.
Cons
  • No mortgage rates displayed online.
  • Doesn’t offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

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.
Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a solid variety of loan types, including jumbo and interest-only options, and a totally online experience.
Pros
  • Displays detailed sample rates for many of its loan products.
  • Offers a wide variety of loans, including jumbo and interest-only products.
  • Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans.
Homebridge

Homebridge: NMLS#6521

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for borrowers who want a loan officer's help, in person or on the phone, when deciding among the wide range of available mortgage options — including loans to buy and renovate.
Pros
  • Offers a full array of mortgage products, including government and renovation loans.
  • Online portal keeps borrowers up to date on the loan application's progress.
  • Offers home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs.
Cons
  • Doesn't post interest rates on its site.
  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want an easy online application and a variety of loan types to explore.
Pros
  • Has branches across the country for customers who prefer face-to-face service.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
  • Mortgage interest rates tend to be on the lower end, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
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.
Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who appreciate a fully digital home loan experience with mortgage rates lower than other lenders’.
Pros
  • Streamlined online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, as well as the ability to edit your preapproval letter.
  • Mortgage interest rates are on the low side compared to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Offers the option to work with loan officers by phone if desired.
Cons
  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
  • Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
  • Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
SunTrust (Truist)

SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, doctors and other borrowers interested in low-down-payment mortgage options.
Pros
  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including special programs for doctors.
  • Offers a complete suite of online mortgage application tools and loan tracking.
  • Sample rates and fees are easy to find on the website.
Cons
  • Customized rates aren't available online without starting an application.
  • Branches are limited mostly to the Southeast.
USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

Min. credit score

640

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: veterans, active-duty service members and eligible reservists looking for VA loans.
Pros
  • VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility.
  • Offers a conventional home loan with low down payment for first-time buyers.
  • Mortgage interest rates are on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans, or second mortgages.
  • Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website. For customized rates, you'll have to make contact.

Local mortgage lenders in Tampa

These companies are among the highest-volume lenders in the Tampa Bay area. While they haven't been reviewed by NerdWallet, give them a look if you prefer doing business with a local institution.

  • Offers a first-time home buyer 10/1 ARM with a 3% down payment and no private mortgage insurance requirement.

  • Has a “Community Heroes” loan program for teachers, nurses, law enforcement and other eligible professions that features 100% financing.

  • Posts its mortgage interest rates online.

  • Allows you to start a mortgage application online.

  • Credit union that posts and updates interest rates daily.

  • Has a low down-payment loan for first-time home buyers, plus FHA, VA and home equity loans.

  • Offers English and Spanish-language online mortgage applications.

  • Has multiple locations in the Tampa Bay area.

  • Offers conventional mortgages with as little as 3% for a down payment, as well as FHA, VA and USDA loans.

  • Provides cash-out refinances and the streamlined refinancing of VA and FHA mortgages.

  • Has five Tampa Bay branches.

  • Offers purchase, refinance and home equity loans and lines of credit.

  • Posts its mortgage interest rates online.

  • Has a preapproval program that gives a loan commitment for up to six months, even before finding a home.

  • Lets you "float down" a locked interest rate in the event that rates drop.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on March 7, 2023

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 Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021

  • Bank of America: Best for low down payments
  • BB&T (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
  • Caliber: Best for online experience
  • Flagstar: Best for FHA loans
  • Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experience
  • Homebridge: Best for home renovation loans
  • loanDepot: Best for FHA loans
  • Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
  • Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for refinancing
  • SunTrust (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
  • USAA: Best for VA loans
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