loanDepot Review 2026

Name: loanDepot
Brand: loanDepot.com, LLC

National nonbank lender — digital-first refi platform and Lifetime Guarantee.

Get started at loanDepot.com, LLC → Pre-qualify (where available) with a soft credit pull — no score impact.

ClearValue Rating: 4.1 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)

Editorial3.9

Cost4.0

Value4.1

Access4.6

Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.

At a glance

NMLS: #174457 (loanDepot.com, LLC — NMLS Consumer Access verified)
Refi types: Rate-term + cash-out + FHA + VA (Jumbo and HELOC also available)
Loan centers: 200+ locations (Physical branch access alongside digital platform)
Min FICO: 620 (verify at loandepot.com) (Government programs accept lower — confirm with lender)

Who loanDepot is best for

Borrowers who want a national nonbank refinance lender with a digital platform, broad product menu, and physical branch access in select markets.

Pros

One of the largest nonbank mortgage lenders in the US — depth across every refi type
Digital platform — online application, document upload, eSign
Physical loan centers in 200+ locations for in-person support
Broad product menu: conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, HELOC, and specialty programs
Lifetime Guarantee: waives lender origination fees on future refinances for returning borrowers (verify current terms at loandepot.com)

Cons

Rates are not always the most competitive for prime-credit borrowers vs. purely digital lenders
Physical branch quality varies by location
loanDepot experienced a January 2024 cybersecurity incident — verify current NMLS licensing
Origination fees and closing costs vary — always compare the Loan Estimate

loanDepot requirements

Minimum credit score: 620+ FICO conventional — verify at loandepot.com

VA eligibility: Certificate of Eligibility required for VA refi products

State availability: Available in all 50 states — verify specific program availability

Income documentation: Verifiable income and acceptable debt-to-income ratio

620+ FICO conventional (verify current minimums at loandepot.com)
VA Certificate of Eligibility for VA refi products
Available in all 50 states — verify specific program availability

loanDepot alternatives

Rocket Mortgage (Rocket Mortgage, LLC) — Better for fully digital refi without branch complexity
Read review Get started at Rocket Mortgage, LLC →

Veterans United Home Loans (Veterans United Home Loans) — Better for VA IRRRL — deepest VA refi specialization
Read review Get started at Veterans United Home Loans →

Better (Better Mortgage Corporation) — Better for lowest closing costs — $0 origination fee
Read review Get started at Better Mortgage Corporation →

Bottom line

loanDepot — National nonbank lender — digital-first refi platform and Lifetime Guarantee. Best for: Borrowers who want a national nonbank refinance lender with a digital platform, broad product menu, and physical branch access in select markets.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.

Questions about loanDepot

What is the loanDepot Lifetime Guarantee?

loanDepot's Lifetime Guarantee is a commitment to waive lender origination fees and reimburse the appraisal fee on any future refinance for borrowers who have previously closed a purchase or refinance through loanDepot. The guarantee reduces the cost of refinancing again — meaningful if you plan to refinance more than once over the life of your homeownership. Verify current terms, eligibility conditions, and any exclusions at loandepot.com.

What is loanDepot's NMLS ID?

loanDepot.com, LLC holds NMLS #174457. You can verify current state licensing at nmlsconsumeraccess.org. loanDepot experienced a cybersecurity incident in January 2024 — if you are an existing borrower, verify your account security directly with loanDepot.

How we rate

Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).

Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →

Related guides

The full lineup

See all picks, methodology, and side-by-side comparison in Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders 2026.

Editorial disclaimer & disclosure

Not financial advice. ClearValue Lending is a business & personal financing platform — not a bank, card issuer, lender, or financial advisor. This review is independent editorial content presenting publicly available information about loanDepot. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to apply for, purchase, or open this product, nor is it individualized financial or credit advice.

How we rate. Every factual claim in this review is attributed to a named source: J.D. Power satisfaction studies, CFPB consumer data, FDIC deposit insurance data, Federal Reserve / FRED rate benchmarks, or official issuer disclosures. Ratings reflect editorial opinion grounded in that data — applied consistently and independent of compensation. Full review methodology →

Affiliate disclosure. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you apply for or open an account through them, the issuer may pay ClearValue Lending a commission at no cost to you. This does not affect our editorial ratings or rankings.

Advertiser disclosure: some links are from our partners — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Rankings and editorial assessments are independent of compensation.