In this guide

  • Review
  • Details
    • Features
  • Your reviews
  • Ask a question
Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure
USAA
3.5
★★★★★
Finder score

USAA isn't available on Finder right now.

Minimum credit score
None
State availability
Available in all states

Summary

VA loans for current and former military members and their families.

USAA serves veterans, military members and their families with VA loans, VA jumbo loans and VA refinance loans. With nationwide availability and no origination fee, USAA can be a good option for eligible customers. But customer reviews have fallen in the last few years.

Pros

  • Solid customer service
  • Specialized help for military members
  • Simplified mortgage process

Cons

  • Members only

In this guide

  • Review
  • Details
    • Features
  • Your reviews
  • Ask a question

Details

Features

Loan products offered VA, VA Jumbo, VA Refinance
Minimum credit score None
State availability Available in all states
NMLS # 401058

Our take on USAA Bank

USAA mortgages are a good option for military members, veterans and their families who want to take advantage of VA-backed mortgages and the key benefits they offer over conventional mortgages. And unlike many lenders that offer VA loans, USAA steers away from many of the common fees associated with buying a home, including origination, underwriting and application fees.
But the company seems to be struggling to please its customer base. Across most of the major review sites, customers paint a negative picture of doing business with USAA.
That said, there’s no harm in calling and speaking with a USAA mortgage specialist as you shop around and compare mortgage lenders — your experience might be different from other customers. For what it’s worth, I was a USAA member for 14 years and never had a poor experience with USAA customer service.

USAA requirements

The number one requirement to qualify for a mortgage with USAA is membership in the organization. To join USAA, you must be:

  • Actively serving in the US Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Guard or Reserves.
  • Former military who has retired or separated from the US military with an honorable discharge.
  • Family, including widows, widowers and un-remarried former spouses of USAA members who had USAA auto or property insurance while married and individuals whose parents have or had USAA auto or property insurance.
  • Cadets or midshipmen at US service academies, in advanced ROTC or on ROTC scholarship, plus officer candidates within 24 months of commissioning.

Financial factors that USAA considers when determining if you qualify for a loan include your income and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Mortgages with USAA also have a $50,000 minimum loan amount.

Documentation

When you apply for a mortgage with USAA, be prepared to supply:

  • Bank statements.
  • Tax returns.
  • Income statements, such as pay stubs or award letters.
  • Other supporting documents as requested.

Costs and fees

USAA doesn’t charge origination, underwriting, documentation or application fees. It also doesn’t charge prepayment penalties, meaning that you can pay off your loan early without any fines or fees.
Although USAA doesn’t charge any of these fees, most borrowers using a VA loan are required to pay a one-time VA funding fee. The amount of the funding fee depends on your loan amount and other factors but is typically between 1.4% to 3.60%. Specific eligible veterans can have the entire VA funding fee waived.

How to apply for a mortgage with USAA

Follow these steps to apply for a mortgage with USAA.

  1. Get preapproved in minutes. Tell USAA about your finances and where you want to move. They’ll perform a hard credit pull to reduce the chance of getting denied later, and you’ll get a preapproval letter that might help with seller negotiations.
  2. Apply for your mortgage. Once you find a home, your loan officer will help you complete a mortgage application. You’ll need income statements, current bank statements and other supporting documents.
  3. Wait for approval. USAA takes two to three weeks to confirm required documents and a clear title for your home, sending status updates of your application’s progress.
  4. Get the keys to your new home. When your paperwork is approved, you’re ready to close. Bring along your government-issued ID and a cashier’s check for your closing costs and down payment.

What types of mortgages can I get through USAA?

  • Conventional
  • FHA
  • VA
  • USDA
  • Jumbo
This company accepts mortgage refinance applications.

Refinancing options available through USAA

USAA offers two VA loan refinancing options.

  • VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance loan (IRRRL). This is a streamlined program with less paperwork and no appraisal, origination, title or VA funding fees.
  • VA cash-out refinance loan. This program allows you to replace your current mortgage with one that is larger than what you owe, so you can access your equity as cash. This option isn’t available in Texas.

USAA reviews and complaints

BBB rating A+
Trustpilot rating Bad
Customer reviews verified as of 14 June 2022
USAA is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where it earns an A+ rating. As of June 2022, the lender earned 1.23 out of 5 stars from 826 reviews left on the site.
Customers largely complained of slow customer response times, poor communication and transparency and issues when filing claims regarding insurance policies. It’s also worth noting that USAA has closed 2,155 customer complaints in the past three years.
On Trustpilot, customers rated USAA 1.3 out of 5 stars with 1,412 reviews. Some customers praised its excellent customer service and low fees. However, most customer reviews reported otherwise.
A majority of dissatisfied customers describe a poor customer service experience, slow processes and issues with insurance claims. These reviews are for USAA as a whole and not necessarily its mortgage products.
For unfiltered feedback, check out USAA’s Member Community online. USAA responds to most inquiries on the forum, even forwarding negative reviews to more senior departments to sort out any issues.

USAA pros and cons

Consider this lender’s strengths and weaknesses to decide if it’s right for you.

Pros

  • No origination fee. Unlike many mortgage lenders, USAA doesn’t charge customers any sort of loan origination fee.
  • Specialized help for military members. USAA offers VA loans, insurance, investments and bank accounts to qualifying military members, veterans and family.
  • Simplified mortgage process. A streamlined process makes homebuying less stressful.

Cons

  • Poor customer ratings. Though not every customer has had a negative experience doing business with USAA, reviews show customers are largely dissatisfied with the company.

What is USAA?

Founded in 1922 in San Antonio, Texas, USAA offers loans and mortgages, banking products, investments and insurance to more than 13 million former and current military members and their families.
In 2020, USAA originated the second-highest total of VA-purchase home loans, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Alternatives to USAA

While it steers away from many common lender fees, USAA’s mortgage products lag behind compared to other mortgage lenders and customers are largely dissatisfied.
If you’re set on getting a VA loan, and reputation and customer sentiment are top priority, Navy Federal Credit Union’s reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Most customers seem to have had a good experience working with the lender.
If instead you want more variety on the type of home loans offered, Veterans United might be a good option. It offers a good selection of home loans, and it’s highly rated, too.
Alternatively, compare top lenders by home loan type, state availability and credit score. Select See rates to provide the lender with basic property and financial details for personalized rates.

Disclaimer: The partners on Finder's mortgage comparison tables are sorted in alphabetical order.

Name Product USFHL Loan products offered State availability Min. credit score
Rocket Mortgage
Not rated yet
Rocket Mortgage
Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, Refinance
Available in all states
620
Apply online for free and lock in your rate for 90 days.
Veterans United
Not rated yet
Veterans United
Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, Refinance
Available in all states
620
Veterans United stands out from other lenders for its focus on serving the military community.
loading

Your reviews

No reviews yet. Write a review

Ask a question

Ask a question
Avatar

Peter Finder

Writer

Hi there, looking for more information? Ask us a question.

Error label

You are about to post a question on finder.com:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked
Accept and continue

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our finder.com Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Go to site