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Navy Federal Credit Union Home Equity Loan Review 2025

Last updated on December 17, 2025
Taylor Getler
Written by 
Lead Writer & Content Strategist
Johanna Arnone
Edited by 
Managing Editor
Fact Checked
Taylor Getler
Written by 
Lead Writer & Content Strategist
Johanna Arnone
Edited by 
Managing Editor
Fact Checked

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

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Our Take

3.5

Home equity loans
NerdWallet rating
The Nerdy headline:

Navy Federal Credit Union has an unusually high borrowing limit, allowing you to withdraw up to 100% of your home’s equity. Take your pick from a five-, 10-, 15- or 20-year term. However, you’ll pay closing costs and will need an appraisal. Credit union membership is limited to those with a connection to the U.S. military.

Jump to:Full Review
Navy Federal
Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

Min. credit score
Undisclosed
Loan types and products
Purchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, VA, Home Equity

Pros

  • High borrowing limit, up to 100% of your home’s equity.

  • Flexible term options: 5, 10, 15 or 20 years.

  • Multiple ways to apply or contact customer service.

Cons

  • Credit union membership is limited to those with U.S. military connections.

  • Time to close is slower than average.

  • Charges closing costs.

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Full Review

💲Navy Federal home equity loan rates

Home equity loan rates tend to move with the federal funds rate, which is set by the Federal Reserve. In addition to market factors, your home equity loan rate offers will be determined by your financial profile, including your credit score and income.

Navy Federal posts sample home equity loan rates online.

👍 Reasons to get a Navy Federal home equity loan

With a home equity loan from Navy Federal, borrowers can access up to 100% of their home equity. That’s a higher combined-loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio than what you’ll find at most lenders, where a maximum of 85% is typical. The maximum loan amount is $500,000.

Navy Federal also offers ample choice for loan terms, offering term lengths of five, 10, 15 or 20 years. There are multiple ways to apply for a home equity loan or contact customer service. Home equity loans are available for second homes.

🤓

Nerdy Tip

Before you can get a home equity loan from Navy Federal, you’ll need to join the credit union. Requirements are fairly inclusive if you have a military connection. Membership is available to veterans and members of the armed forces, as well as their families and some civilian employees of the Department of Defense.

🤔 Reasons why Navy Federal’s home equity loan gives us pause

Navy Federal doesn’t offer a 30-year term, which is available from other lenders. It closes home equity loans in an average of 30 days, which is a few days slower than the average 26 days among lenders NerdWallet surveyed in 2025. An appraisal is required, and you’ll have to pay closing costs.

📎 Ways to apply for a Navy Federal home equity loan

How to Apply

Availability

Online 🧑‍💻

Over the phone 📞

Mobile app 📶

In person 🏦

You can contact Navy Federal customer service in person, over the phone or through online chat.

🛒 Alternatives to a Navy Federal home equity loan

Wondering if another lender or product might be a better fit? It’s worth it to shop around to learn more about your options.

If you like Navy Federal’s high borrowing limit, PrimeLending and Andrews Federal Credit Union both come close with a 95% max CLTV.

If you’d rather not pay closing costs, you won’t have to with a U.S. Bank home equity loan.

A home equity loan isn’t your only option

You can also explore products outside of home equity loans. Alternatives to home equity loans include a HELOC, which you can draw from as needed, or a cash-out refinance, which replaces your existing mortgage with a larger loan.

Navy Federal Credit Union also offers HELOCs and cash-out refinance loans.

Borrow from your home’s equity

Methodology

NerdWallet’s home equity loan star ratings are independently researched and developed by the editorial team based on the following factors: maximum combined loan-to-value ratio, closing costs, whether an appraisal is required, the number of repayment term options, length of the longest available term, rate transparency, average time to close, availability for second homes, number of ways to apply and number of customer service touchpoints. A recent regulatory action against a lender may affect its home equity loan star rating.