San Diego County Credit Union Mortgage Review 2023
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Our Take
5.0
The bottom line:
SDCCU offers conventional and jumbo mortgages and provides customized rate information on its website. Home equity loans and lines of credit are available, but it doesn't offer FHA, VA or USDA loans.
Full Review

Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers purchase, refinance and jumbo mortgages, plus loans for second homes and home equity products.
- Provides customized rate and fee quotes without requiring contact information.
Cons
- No FHA, VA or USDA mortgages.
- Loans are available in California only.
Compare to Other Lenders
Min. credit score620 | Min. credit score620 |
Min. down payment3% | Min. down payment3% |
Loan types and productsPurchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA | Loan types and productsPurchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, Home Equity |
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Full Review
What borrowers say about SDCCU mortgage
NerdWallet’s lender star ratings assess objective qualities, including rates, fees and loan offerings. NerdWallet assesses borrowers’ subjective experiences with lenders using customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power and Zillow. San Diego County Credit Union didn’t have sufficient data from either source for NerdWallet to share.
SDCCU mortgage variety of loan types
5 of 5 stars
San Diego County Credit Union offers a variety of purchase and refinance loan types, including jumbo loans and mortgages for second homes. The lender doesn't offer FHA, VA or USDA mortgages.
» MORE: What is a jumbo loan?
SDCCU HELOC and home equity loans
The lender also offers a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, and home equity loans. These first or second mortgages are a way for homeowners to access existing home equity without refinancing or selling their home. Funds obtained with a second mortgage can be used for expenses such as home improvements, education costs or debt consolidation. SDCCU offers HELOCs with variable rates and 10- or 15-year term home equity loans with fixed rates to members living in California.
SDCCU mortgage ease of application
5 of 5 stars
San Diego County Credit Union allows you to apply for a mortgage and track the progress of your loan online. You can also upload documents and e-sign required paperwork. If you prefer, you can apply over the phone or in person.
Membership in the credit union is available to anyone who lives or works in Southern California, specifically Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura counties. Members of the Financial Fitness Association, an organization that helps people develop money-management skills, can also join.
SDCCU mortgage rates and fees
3.5 of 5 stars
SDCCU earns 2 of 5 stars for average origination fee.
SDCCU earns 5 of 5 stars for average mortgage interest rates.
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.
SDCCU mortgage rate transparency
5 of 5 stars
SDCCU’s online loan consultant feature lets you check customized rates online after answering a few brief questions. You don't need to enter contact information.
Alternatives to SDCCU mortgage
Here are some comparable lenders we review that borrowers can consider. Golden 1 Credit Union is another option for California residents, and Bethpage Federal Credit Union serves customers in almost every state.
More from NerdWallet
Methodology
NerdWallet’s overall ratings for mortgage lenders are evaluated based on four major categories: variety of loan types (purchase, refinance, fixed and adjustable, for example), ease of application, rates and fees and rate transparency. Among the factors we consider when scoring these categories are options to apply for and track loans online, the level of detail about mortgage rates on lender websites and our analysis of the rates and fees lenders reported in the latest available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. These scores generate ratings from 1 star (poor) to 5 stars (excellent).