Advertiser disclosure
Golden 1 Credit Union Mortgage Review 2026
Last updated on June 4, 2026
Written by
Lead Writer & Content StrategistCo-written by
Contributing EditorWritten by
Lead Writer & Content StrategistCo-written by
Contributing EditorMany 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.
Why trust NerdWallet
Why trust NerdWallet
- 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.
Our Take
4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
The Nerdy headline:
Golden 1, a California-based credit union, dedicates a significant portion of its business to jumbo loans — useful for those navigating the state’s high home prices. However, VA and USDA loans aren’t available. Good for home buyers in California looking for down payment or closing cost assistance.
Jump to:Full Review
Golden 1 Credit Union: NMLS#669333
Min. credit score
N/A
Min. down payment
3%
Loan types and products
Purchase, Refinance, Home Equity, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA
Pros
- Maximizes first-time buyer assistance with in-house and statewide funds.
- Offers a closing cost discount when using their real estate agent network.
- Interest rate discounts available to some account holders.
Cons
- Membership is mostly limited to California residents.
- No VA or USDA loans.
- HELOCs, but no home equity loans.
Lender | Min. credit score | Min. down payment | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Visit Lenderat NBKC at NBKC | 620 | 3% | Visit Lenderat NBKC at NBKC |
 Visit Lenderat New American Funding at New American Funding | N/A | N/A | Visit Lenderat New American Funding at New American Funding |
 Visit Lenderat Rocket Mortgage, LLC at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | 580 | 3.5% | Visit Lenderat Rocket Mortgage, LLC at Rocket Mortgage, LLC |
 4.0 Visit Lenderat GO Mortgage at GO Mortgage | 620 | 3% | Visit Lenderat GO Mortgage at GO Mortgage |
 Visit Lenderat Veterans United at Veterans United | 620 | 0% | Visit Lenderat Veterans United at Veterans United |
Full Review
At a glance: Golden 1 mortgage options
Golden 1 is a credit union based in Sacramento, California. Loans are limited to borrowers in California. Membership is open to California residents; those who work in California or are members of select employee groups; and existing members’ families. To become a member, simply open a savings account with a balance of $1 or more.
🏠 Common mortgages
• Fixed- or adjustable-rate
• Conventional
• FHA
• Jumbo
• Rate-and-term refinance
🔑 Specialty loans
• First-time home buyer loans
• Loans for second homes
• Loans for self-employed borrowers
💵 Home equity
• HELOC
• Cash-out refinance
Golden 1 special mortgage offers and discounts
Golden 1 offers a few incentives to reduce the cost of homebuying. They include:
- Buyer Advantage Program: Credits members up to 25% of their agent’s commission toward closing costs when they work with a Golden 1 preferred real estate agent.
- Home Loans Relationship Discount Program: Offers rate discounts up to 0.375% based on a member’s eligible deposit balances with Golden 1 checking, savings or investment accounts.
- On My Way Homeownership Program: Helps connect low- to moderate-income buyers with available assistance from multiple sources at Golden 1 and elsewhere — enough to finance 100% of your home and then some, to help pay for closing costs.
Golden 1 is an approved lender with the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) and well versed in specialty loans for first-time home buyer programs in California.
What mortgages does Golden 1 specialize in?
A lender’s experience with your loan type can make a big difference. We looked at the latest federal data to find the types of mortgages Golden 1 handles most often.
Most of the credit union’s loans are conventional, but it handles a good amount of jumbo loans, too.
How we score Golden 1's home loans
Like to read the fine print? We do, too. Each year, NerdWallet writers and editors review the latest data and research on mortgage lenders, including federal data, and use a consistent method to score them based on what matters most to borrowers.
Golden 1 earned a 4-star home loans overall rating from NerdWallet. Here’s how that score breaks down across our five weighted subcategories.
Poor
Rates and fees (30%)
Rates and fees determine how much a loan will cost you overall. NerdWallet reviews the latest federal data to score each lender’s average APR spread — a measure that combines interest rates and fees. A higher score means lower typical costs compared to other lenders.
Average
Product accessibility (20%)
We evaluate how widely available a lender’s products are across the U.S. and how accessible they are to different financial profiles. A higher score means broader availability and more flexible requirements. A lower score means fewer options or stricter requirements.
Average
Customer experience (20%)
We evaluate customer experience by testing and reviewing features like the online application, mobile app, and availability of phone or chat support. A higher score means a smoother, more convenient experience and easier access to help. A lower score means more friction or fewer support options.
Average
Loan variety (15%)
We evaluate loan variety based on the range of home loan types a lender offers. A higher score means more options, while a lower score means a more limited selection.
Good
Rate transparency (15%)
We review how clearly lenders share rate information on their websites, including sample rates and tools to estimate personalized rates. A higher score means it’s easy to find clear, comprehensive details and compare rates. A lower score means less information is available, often requiring you to contact the lender.
🤓
NerdWallet’s ratings are objective and well-researched (we have the spreadsheets to prove it). But choosing a mortgage lender isn’t just about a star rating or a score breakdown. It’s also about finding the right lender for your unique situation. So yes: you can learn a lot from how the mortgage Nerds scored Golden 1's home loans. But you’re the expert when it comes to the features of your own best-match mortgage lender.Nerdy Tip
Golden 1 mortgage reputation and customer experience
NerdWallet’s star ratings look at objective factors like rates, fees and loan options. To give you a sense of what the borrower experience is really like, we pulled the latest customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power and Zillow. Golden 1 Credit Union didn’t have sufficient data from either source for NerdWallet to share. We also contacted the lender’s customer support.
Golden 1 mortgage customer service options
Here’s how you can get in touch with Golden 1. You can also send an email or schedule an appointment.
Ways to reach Golden 1
Physical branches . . . . . . ✅
Phone support . . . . . . . . . ✅
Mobile app . . . . . . . . . . . . ✅
Online chat (bot) . . . . . . . 🚫
Online chat (human) . . . . ✅
🤓 Our Nerds say... quick and convenient live chat
Abby Badach Doyle, lead writer, mortgages
Golden 1 offers online chat with a real person. That’s a nice perk we don’t see at all mortgage lenders, let alone regional credit unions. It only took us a minute to connect when we tested it out.
» MORE: How to apply for a mortgage
Alternatives to Golden 1 mortgages
Our biggest tip: Get offers from at least three different mortgage lenders. Comparison shopping can save you thousands of dollars. You can get rate quotes yourself, or work with a mortgage broker to shop around on your behalf.
For a lender experienced with jumbo loans, Citi dedicated nearly half of its mortgage business to jumbo loans last year.
For a credit union with more inclusive membership guidelines, Fourleaf Federal Credit Union serves customers in nearly every state.
NerdWallet writer Isabella Angelos contributed to this story.
More from NerdWallet
Methodology
NerdWallet rates mortgage lenders based on what matters most to borrowers: rates and fees, product accessibility, customer experience, rate transparency and the range of loan options.
We review more than 40 lenders and score them using a weighted system that prioritizes affordability and a smooth borrowing experience. Lenders earn higher scores for offering lower borrowing costs, making loans widely available, clearly displaying rate information and supporting borrowers from application through closing.
We use a mix of lender-provided information, publicly available data and our own research and analysis to evaluate each lender. Recent regulatory actions may affect a lender’s score.