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Purchase Loans

First home, second home, investment homes—financing for all
Apply now Custom rate quote
Lock in a fixed rate or go for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)
Spread out your payments for up to 40 years
Earn a $675 credit when you're a Stanford FCU Ambassador*
You have flexibility, from conforming to jumbo loans
This is a big deal, and we want to play our part
Speak to mortgage experts

That means meeting the moment, understanding where you are and caring about where you're going. Others chase commissions—we build relationships. Your not-for-profit credit union puts you first, and we're mortgage experts, too!

Speak to mortgage experts

Our mortgages are rated high for their lower rates 

Everyone from first-time buyers to longtime owners wants two things in a home loan–a rate that works for them...and a caring team that works for them, too. At Stanford FCU, we deliver on both fronts, plus many others. Move into your first home, enjoy your vacation home or expand your portfolio of investment properties—all through us. 

  • Turn your dream into reality with a down payment as low as 3%
  • A special 80/10/10 option for California homeowners helps you avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) 
  • Lower your payment, improve your cash flow with our special 7-year/6-month interest-only ARM option
  • We keep the required fees as low as possible, and we'll never ding you with junk fees
  • Pay off your mortgage early and we'll celebrate with you—not penalize you with a fee like some other places we know
Couple dreaming of home possibilities
Chance to win up to $2,500 

Apply for a home loan (first mortgage, refinance, second mortgage, or HELOC) between May 15–July 15, 2026 and be automatically entered into our Welcome Home Sweepstakes for a chance to win $2,500, $1,000, or $500.**

Check out your credit for free
Free Credit Report

Great credit means low rates–check yours now!

Free Credit Report
First-time home buyer program

What an exciting time! We'd love to be part of your journey—with a special home loan for first-time homeowners. 

  • Down payments as low as 3% reduce your obstacles and the time you need to save for your purchase 
  • There's more flexibility here—lower credit scores are okay and we'll accept non-traditional credit to help open the door to homeownership
  • Go into the process with eyes wide open—check out our First-Time Home Buyer's Guide

Make your dream home a reality with Stanford Federal Credit Union's home loan options. Contact or visit us at a Bay Area CA branch to apply for our loans.

With us, it's so much more than a transaction
Apply now
Apply now

Our members and their stories matter most.

Meaningful mortgage moments
Helped me buy my first home! Will always remember that joy and catalyst for my family. Thank you!
Jae
Saving the day
As an international student, Stanford FCU made it really easy for me to open a bank account before I even arrived in the U.S. They helped me set up my checking account and debit card without needing a U.S. credit history, which was a huge relief. I also appreciate how friendly and patient the staff were in explaining how banking works here. It really helped me get settled quickly.
Halil
Support when you need it most
Stanford credit union was such a great blessing to our family. They helped us with the purchase of our first ever house and made it possible acquire our second house where we live in now. The members of Stanford credit union have always treated us like family and always a welcome and a happy smile.
Catherine

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can use an account at another financial institution to set up automatic payments for your Stanford FCU loans. You’ll first need to set up the external account using Plaid in Digital Banking. Click here to add an external account.

There are two ways to link your accounts:

  1. Instant Auth. Plaid uses an instant authentication, which means you don’t have to wait on microdeposits before linking an external account. To use Instant Auth, sign in with your online credentials for your external account.
  2. Same Day Microdeposits. If your external institution isn’t connected to Plaid, you can still use Plaid to link your accounts via Same Day Microdeposits. To complete this process, you will need your account and routing numbers. Once you submit the request, you will receive a verification code via email. The code is only valid for 7 days.

Some financial institutions scramble account numbers for security. This means you may not see your actual external account number in Digital Banking

Once your external account has been verified, you can set up automatic payments through the Make a Payment service:

  1. Choose your external account as the From account
  2. Select the loan you wish to pay
  3. Click the Enroll in Auto-Pay box
  4. Complete and submit the form

Haven’t signed up for Digital Banking yet? You can view your account history, transfer funds between your accounts, make a loan payment, access Bill Pay and eStatements…and more! Sign up for Digital Banking today to handle all your personal banking in one convenient and secure place.

Of course! Stanford FCU offers several convenient methods to make your loan payments:

If you want to make a loan payment at another financial institution, click here.

Yes. Homeowner’s Insurance covers fire, theft, certain natural disasters and personal liability (if someone is injured on your property). It protects you and us against the loss of the property that secures your mortgage. You’ll need to show that you have adequate homeowners coverage as a condition of obtaining a mortgage:

The HMDA data about our residential mortgage lending are available online for review. The data show geographic distribution of loans and applications; ethnicity, race, sex, age, and income of applicants and borrowers; and information about loan approvals and denials. These data are available online at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Web site, HMDA data for many other financial institutions are also available at this Web site. 

At Stanford Federal Credit Union, we offer purchase loan programs with as little as a 3% down payment (maximum loan amounts apply) depending on your individual financial needs. You’ll also want to consider additional funds needed for closing costs, as well as any lender reserve requirements. Example: If you’re purchasing a $700,000 home, you would need $21,000 for a 3% down payment.

Getting your funds together for a down payment is probably the biggest hurdle for many first-time home buyers. You may already be worth more than you realize. When calculating your available assets, be sure to consider ALL of the following sources:

What if it doesn’t add up to the right amount? Don’t give up hope. There are ways to make it work:

  1. Look for a loan option that requires a smaller down payment
  2. Consider getting a loan with Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
    • Allows for a lower down payment
    • Lenders (like us!) like it because it protects us in case you default on the loan
    • You can pay for it on a monthly basis
    • You can request to have it cancelled once you reach 20% equity
  3. Talk to one of our Mortgage Consultants for other available loan options like our 80/10/10 to avoid paying mortgage insurance (MI) - CA only.

Gifts from immediate family members are also an acceptable source of down payment. We’ll ask you for the contact information of the gift giver, as well as the donor’s relationship to you. Prior to closing your loan, we’ll verify receipt and deposit of the gift funds.

If you’ll be withdrawing funds from a 401(K) or retirement account to fund your down payment, we’ll probably ask you to show evidence that you have the funds available by providing a recent statement. We may also need to verify whether or not repayment is required. If repayment is required, it’s not a problem. We’ll just consider that monthly payment when making your loan decision.

Apply online or contact one of our Mortgage Consultants to get started with your Stanford FCU loan today!

We do not charge pre-payment penalties on any of our home loans, because we’re a not-for-profit credit union owned by our members!

We encourage you to speak with a Mortgage Consultants about your specific needs.

Check out all our great online tools!

All loans have two parts: The “principal”, which is the amount of money that you’re borrowing, and the “interest”, which is the amount of money charged by the lender. Interest-only loans are most commonly used for mortgages. For example, if you borrow $400,000 at a rate of 6% for 30 years, your monthly interest payment would be $1,919.50 and your monthly principal payment would be $478.70. Mortgage payments are normally principal plus interest; in this case $2,398.20.

An interest-only loan allows you to make monthly payments of only the interest for a specific period of time without the principal (although you can always make extra principal payments). The advantage of an interest-only loan is a lower payment. The disadvantage is your loan amount will not go down with each payment, since the principal amount remains unpaid.

Once the interest-only payments end, you will have higher payments for the interest plus principal. You can also refinance the loan or pay it off in full. However, since home prices fluctuate there is a risk that you might owe more on your loan than your house is worth.

Many people with higher income prefer the lower payments because they can use the money that they would normally pay toward principal for investments or other purposes. People with fluctuating income also like interest-only loans because they can make the interest-only payment when they’re short of funds, and pay down the principal when they have more money like a bonus or commission payment.

Interest-only mortgages are not for everyone, so you should carefully consider if it’s right for you. Contact a mortgage expert to determine the right mortgage for your specific needs.

You can also get an instant Custom Rate Quote for your specific purchase, refinance, investment or home equity need! Our Rate Quote includes details such as fees and monthly payments.

Need financial advice? Buying a home is one of the most important financial commitments you’ll ever make. Getting your loan from someone you trust is equally important. Stanford FCU has over 100 years of combined real estate lending knowledge and experience. Our in-house home loan experts are among the best in the industry. So, whatever your situation, chances are we’ve helped someone with a very similar situation before.

Contact a Mortgage Consultants or apply online with no obligation to get started today!

Escrow is required on all loans over 90% loan-to-value (LTV). If your loan has sufficient equity below 90% LTV you can choose to close your escrow account any time (we’ll need to verify the LTV first). The only exception is if your property has flood insurance, which does require an escrow account. Otherwise it’s up to each member if they want the convenience of having us collect and pay their property taxes and insurance, or if they prefer to manage those themselves.

If you believe you have enough equity in your home to eliminate the need for an impound account, you can contact Loan Administration to initiate a review process.

Loan Administration message line: 650.842.6115

Email: [email protected] (do not email any confidential information like account numbers)

A credit score predicts how likely you are to pay back a loan. Companies use a mathematical formula called a scoring model to create your credit score from information in your credit report. Your credit report contains information about your experience paying loans and other bills.

Stanford FCU provides each member with their free credit score quarterly in Digital Banking.

Some factors that make up a typical credit score include:

  • Your history paying bills
  • Your current unpaid debt, like credit card and other loan balances
  • The number and type of loan accounts you have
  • How long you’ve had loans
  • How much of your available credit you’re using
  • Any new applications for credit
  • Whether you’ve had a debt sent to collections, a foreclosure or bankruptcy

Banks, credit unions and other lenders use credit scores to make decisions about whether to offer you a mortgage, credit card, auto loan, or other credit product. The credit score is also used to determine the interest rate you receive on a loan or credit card, and the credit limit.

It’s important to know that there are many different types of credit scores available to you and lenders. The actual scores will vary depending on the scoring model, the source of your credit history, the type of loan product, and even the day it was calculated.

Stanford FCU uses two different credit scores:

  • FICO® Score for real estate loans
  • VantageScore 3.0 for consumer loans (vehicle, personal and credit cards)

Both credit scores range from 300 to 850 and were developed jointly by the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Transunion). Usually a higher score makes it easier to qualify for a loan and may result in a better interest rate.

Where did Stanford FCU get my VantageScore that’s posted online?

Stanford FCU partners with Experian to provide all of our members with your free VantageScore. You can also request your free credit report directly from annualcreditreport.com.

Will viewing my score hurt my credit?

No, Stanford FCU does a soft pull on your credit so it will not affect your score.

Can I opt out of viewing my score?

Stanford FCU provides your VantageScore based on Experian data to help you monitor your credit so you can qualify for more affordable loans. You can opt out of receiving it by calling 888.723.7328 or sending us a secure Message through Digital Banking.

Will this VantageScore be used for my consumer loan or mortgage loan application?

The credit score you see in your Digital Banking is used for informational purposes only, as your actual score can change frequently. When you apply for a loan with us, we will pull your full credit report and use that credit score and history.

How often is my online score updated?

We will update your score four times per year at the beginning of each quarter (January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st). New members won’t see their credit score until the beginning of the quarter following their new membership date.

Why can’t I see my credit score in Digital Banking?

There are several reasons why you may not have a credit score:

  • You’re a new Stanford FCU member
  • You opted out (you can opt back in by calling 888.723.7328 or sending us a secure Message through Digital Banking
  • Our information about you is mismatched or missing, e.g., an address change that has not been updated with Stanford FCU or Experian
  • Your credit history is too new
  • Your account status is abandoned, bankrupt, fraud, closed, revoked, charged off, lost or stolen
  • You have a foreign address

When you apply for a credit card, auto or personal loan, you should have a decision within 1-2 business days.

Mortgage loans are more complex, and the decision may take several days as we gather additional information from you.

Apply today! Members will apply for a credit card, auto or personal loan through Digital Banking or the mobile app. Non-members must first apply for membership online in as little as 10 minutes.  You can also apply by phone at 888.723.7328 or make an appointment at a local branch to discuss your loan needs.

Looking for a home loan? Both members and non-members can apply for a home loan online .

Stanford FCU does offer loans to help consolidate bills and pay off other debts. There are several options available to most members. These may include personal loans, credit cards, home equity loans/lines, or even a first mortgage.

If you’d like to discuss your options prior to applying, you may call a Member Care Team Specialist at 650.723.2509 (local) or 888.723.7328 toll free. They can assess your personal situation and help determine which loan type is best for you.

You can also make an appointment at a local branch to discuss your loan needs.

When existing members apply for a credit card, vehicle or personal loan through Digital Banking, they can check the status of any loan application by clicking here!

Once your loan is approved, a representative will contact you within one business day to finalize the process.

If you didn’t apply through Digital Banking, you may call us at 888.723.7328 to speak with a representative about your loan status.

If you applied for a home loan, you can log into the mortgage portal or contact your Mortgage Consultant directly for an update on the status.

You can get your own credit report for free by visiting annualcreditreport.com.

Your credit score is a reflection of the information contained in your credit report, and we encourage members to review their credit report regularly.  Here’s what you should look for and what it means to your credit:

  • Accuracy – Review the entire report for general accuracy. If you see any accounts that you didn’t open or any existing accounts with errors, you should contact the credit bureau to request a correction.
  • Inquiries– Your credit report will show who has been accessing your credit report. There are two types of inquiries:
    • Soft inquiries include inquiries made by creditors with whom you already have a credit account, inquiries where you’re monitoring your own credit, or when your credit is checked by a lender to make you a pre-approved credit offer. Since lenders are not making a lending decision or guaranteeing approval, these inquiries are typically considered promotional and won’t affect your credit score.
    • Hard inquiries occur when a business has accessed your credit report in connection with an application for credit. If you see any hard inquiries that you don’t recognize, it may be an indication that someone is attempting to obtain credit using your name and social security number. In that event, you should quickly report the inquiry to the credit bureau.

Your Free Credit Report

Under federal law, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The bureaus have established one central service for consumers to contact:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

Website: annualcreditreport.com

Telephone: 877-322-8228

Mail: P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348

You can obtain your three reports all at once, or stagger your requests throughout the year to monitor your credit more frequently. Your credit score is not included with the report, although you can purchase it for a fee. You can also view your free credit score quarterly in Digital Banking!

It’s easy to get even more value from your Stanford FCU membership - just deposit your payroll with us or use our debit or credit card for your everyday expenses to access your Loyalty+ rewards (formerly Membership Rewards)!

At Stanford FCU, we want to help you make the most of your banking experience. That’s what Loyalty+ is all about. You get more value when you do more business with us. There are two levels of membership based on your engagement: Partner and Ambassador.

You’ll enjoy exclusive benefits like bonus deposit rates, loan discount rates, and unlimited free worldwide ATMs.

Learn more on our Loyalty+ web page, and view your Loyalty+ status in Digital Banking.

View all
Put your home's equity to work with a loan or line of credit.

Take on your next big project—whatever that might be.

Disclosures

All loans subject to credit approval. Membership eligibility required.

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Notice
The HMDA data about our residential mortgage lending are available online for review. The data show geographic distribution of loans and applications; ethnicity, race, sex, age, and income of applicants and borrowers; and information about loan approvals and denials. These data are available online at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Web site (www.consumerfinance.gov/hmda). HMDA data for many other financial institutions are also available at this Web site.

*Credit up to $675 is deposited into the member’s checking or savings account upon funding of a first mortgage and qualification for a Loyalty+ Ambassador relationship.

**No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries. One entry per primary applicant. Owner-occupied properties located in the U.S. only. Entries into the Welcome Home Sweepstakes will be accepted from May 15, 2026 through July 15, 2026. Winners will be notified by email or phone call by July 20, 2026. Four winners will be randomly selected: one (1) winner will receive $2,500, one (1) winner will receive $1,000, and two (2) winners will each receive $500. Cash prizes will be deposited into the winners’ Stanford FCU checking or savings account by August 15, 2026. See Official Rules for full details.

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