Citibank Mortgage Review 2020

Citibank at a glance

Citibank offers a broad selection of fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, though renovation loans aren’t on the menu. The bulk of the loans the lender originates are conventional and jumbo loans, according to the most recently available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data.

Here's a breakdown of Citibank's overall score:

• Variety of loan types: 5 of 5 stars

• Variety of loan products: 4 of 5 stars

• Online convenience: 4 of 5 stars

• Rates and fees: 5 of 5 stars

• Rate transparency: 5 of 5 stars

» MORE: Compare Citibank mortgage with other lenders

Citibank mortgage loan types and products

Citibank offers fixed-rate mortgages for 10, 15, 20 and 30 years. It also offers 3/1, 5/1, 7/1 and 10/1 adjustable-rate mortgages, in which rates are fixed for three, five, seven or 10 years, respectively, but can change annually after that.

Citibank’s low-down-payment mortgage options go beyond FHA and VA loans; its HomeRun loan program allows you to put down as little as 3% without the requirement that you pay for private mortgage insurance. This loan has terms up to 30 years and has rates comparable with conventional mortgage interest rates. In most cases, to qualify you have to earn 80% or less than the median income in your area. In certain low- to moderate-income areas, however, the program is available regardless of your income.

If you’re already a Citibank customer, closing cost credits and rate discounts may be available for whichever loan you choose, but you're required to set up automatic monthly mortgage payments from your Citibank deposit account.

Citibank online convenience

You may start a Citibank mortgage application over the phone, online or, in some locations, in person. If you start online, you can be connected with a loan officer, and you can get preapproved.

To start online, you'll use the bank's Citi Mortgage Selector to get an idea of how much your loan will cost. You’ll enter information about the home you want to buy, including property type and the expected purchase amount, as well as how much you’d like to borrow and your credit score.

» MORE: Check your credit score for free

You are then presented with loan options based on the information you entered, along with current Citibank mortgage rates, payment schedules and estimated costs. A loan officer can help you narrow your choices.

Once you’re ready, you can fill out a loan application online. Before you complete the process, a loan officer will contact you, and, if you wish to proceed, you will be charged a nonrefundable mortgage application fee to finish the application.

Once you've completed an application with a loan officer, you can monitor its status and complete any required next steps online, such as downloading the loan estimate and uploading any required documents.

» MORE: Use our mortgage calculator to find out your monthly mortgage payment.

Citibank mortgage rates and fees

One of the most important considerations when choosing a mortgage lender is understanding what the loan will cost. In order to provide consumers with a general sense of what a lender might charge, NerdWallet scores lenders on two factors regarding fees and mortgage rates:

• A lender's average origination fee compared with the median of all lenders reporting under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. Citibank earns 5 out of 5 stars on this factor.

• A lender's offered mortgage rates compared with the best available on comparable loans. Citibank earns 5 out of 5 stars on this factor.

Borrowers should consider the balance between lender fees and mortgage rates. While it's not always the case, paying upfront fees can lower your mortgage interest rate. Some lenders will charge higher upfront fees to lower their advertised interest rate and make it more attractive. Some lenders just charge higher upfront fees.

You can decide to buy discount points — a fee paid with your closing costs — to reduce your mortgage rate.

Deciding whether to pay higher upfront fees is a matter of considering how long you plan to live in your home and how much cash you have to apply toward closing costs when you sign the loan paperwork.

» MORE: 'Should I buy points?' calculator

Citibank mortgage rate transparency

Current mortgage rates are displayed on Citibank's website. You can also see customized rates for several fixed- and adjustable-rate loans according to your location, the type and price of property you plan to buy, loan amount and your credit score. In addition, the customized rate tool lets you adjust the discount points and choose a rate lock period.

More from NerdWallet

• Get preapproved for your mortgage

• Find out how much house you can afford

• How to find the best mortgage lender