Bank Statement Loans

Bank statement loans are a type of non-qualified mortgage loan that allows you to qualify based on bank statements instead of tax returns. The lender will require prospective borrowers to provide a certain number of months’ worth of bank statements in order to prove their ability to repay the loan. This enables self-employed borrowers to access home loans, even if their taxes don’t reflect their full income.

Bank statement mortgage programs are often a good option for self-employed individuals, business owners, and retirees who need an alternative income verification option. Find out whether a bank statement home loan from Griffin Funding is a good fit for you.

What is a Bank Statement Loan?

Bank statement loans have taken over the traditional stated income loans as an alternative for borrowers who are unable to verify their income in the traditional way by providing the previous two years tax returns, W2s and pay stubs. These are non-QM loans, nontraditional loans or expanded criteria loans that allow other forms of documentation to prove the ability to repay. Just as it sounds, a bank statement loan allows the borrower to verify his or her income with bank statements.

We can help those who are self-employed with our Bank Statement Loan Program.

Being self-employed does not mean you can’t get home financing. You do not have to submit any tax returns or financial statements other than your bank statements to purchase a new home or to cashout refinance an existing home that you already own.

This program is perfect for business owners, realtors, consultants, restaurant owners, gig economy, entrepreneurs and more.

 

These type of loans have provided a solution to borrowers’ challenge of using the net income claimed on their tax returns rather than the true net income that they make. This makes many borrowers ineligible for a loan. To apply for a bank statement loan, the self-employed borrower can provide the mortgage lender with as little as 12 months of bank statements which show regular deposits. This allows the lender to see how much you can afford to borrow. The lender would then verify your bank statements by calling your bank or by filling out a verification of deposit (VOD) request and mailing or faxing it to your bank. If you are using your business bank statements to qualify the lender will still need to see the expenses you incur as a result of owning a business but will not penalize you for expenses that you have written off on your tax returns.

What are the Differences Between a Bank Statement Loan and a Traditional Home Loan?

 

Bank Statement Loans	Traditional Home Loans
These loans are built for people who do not have W2 jobs such as business owners, realtors, consultants, restaurant owners, and gig economy workers (with a valid business license). These loans allow the borrowers to use bank statements as the form of proof that they are able to pay back the loan amount.	These loans are for most employees (not self-employed) with a W2, which allows borrowers to choose from a variety of options, from short-term ARMs to 30-year fixed rates. They generally require a minimum down payment of anywhere from 5% to 20% and a credit score of more than 700.

Advantages of a Bank Statement Loan

In summary, these are the advantages of a bank statement loan:

• The lender does not need to look at your tax returns or tax transcripts.
• Your income statements are made up of regular monthly income deposits.
• The lender can look at 12 or 24-month bank statements.
• If you own a business, you can show 12-24 months of P&L statements. A P&L statement (profit and loss statement) is prepared by a Certified Public Accountant. Not all business owners will be required to present one.
• You can get a bank statement home loan for as little as 10 percent down.
• You can do a cash-out refinance loan of up to 80 percent of the value of your property.
• You can borrow up to $5 million.
• Typically, bank statement lenders will accept a debt to income ratio of a maximum 50 percent.
• You have the option of a fixed-rate or adjustable mortgage.
• You may have the option for an interest-only mortgage.

Potential Drawbacks of a Bank Statement Mortgage

While bank statement home loans offer greater flexibility and unique opportunities for many types of borrowers, they’re not well suited for everyone. Here are a few potential disadvantages that may apply to certain borrowers:

1. One of the drawbacks for self-employed borrowers is that you have to be able to prove that you’ve been self-employed for two years—and if you haven’t quite reached that milestone, you’re out of luck and will have to wait. Exceptions are considered for business owners that have been in business for one year if you have at least two years of experience in the same line of work.
2. You may also have to contend with higher interest rates and down payments than more traditional loan options, but of course, this depends on your credit score and overall financial circumstances. That said, Griffin Funding strives to secure competitive interest rates for our customers. 
3. Since bank statements loans are a type of non-QM loan, they’re not regulated like traditional mortgages. This means mortgage lenders can take liberties when it comes to eligibility criteria.

At Griffin Funding, we aim to help our borrowers find the best loan options with favorable terms based on their individual circumstances.

If you are a self-employed individual or a business owner who can’t qualify for a conventional loan, consider the advantages of a 6 month SOFR bank statement loan. A 6 month SOFR bank statement loan is a special type of adjustable rate mortgage perfect for those who can’t qualify based on unconventional income or revenue streams.

A 6 month SOFR BSL will qualify you based on bank statements alone, rather than on income. Many self-employed individuals and business owners may not qualify for conventional loans, as they take deductions against their business. A SOFR bank statement loan begins at an initial start rate but then adjusts every six months based on the 30-day average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) index. While your SOFR rate will periodically adjust, you can also refinance your SOFR mortgage later. SOFR replaced the London Inter-bank Offer Rate (LIBOR).

Griffin Funding offers a variety of funding options, so self-employed entrepreneurs and business owners can find the funding right for them. That includes 6 month SOFR ARMs (fixed for six months and adjusting every six months thereafter), 5/6 ARMs (fixed for five years and adjusted every six months), 7/6 ARMs (fixed for seven years and then adjusting every six months), and 10/6 ARMs (fixed for ten years and then adjusted every six months).

Adjustable rate mortgages begin with very favorable rates, but these rates will change based on the market after the fixed period has expired. However, by offering favorable rates, adjustable rate mortgages also make it possible for home buyers to purchase more expensive homes, by reducing monthly payments. While mortgage interest rates will adjust in the future based on the 30-day average of the SOFR index, the mortgage can potentially be refinanced.

6 month SOFR bank statement loans are a type of Non-QM loan. While other bank statement loans have fixed rates, they will generally have higher interest rates than those you get with the introductory period of an ARM. In addition to 6 month SOFR BSL loans, we also offer 6 month SOFR DSCR loans, 6 month SOFR asset-based loans, and more.

The Key Eligibility Requirements for a Bank Statement Loan

Eligibility for a bank statement requires total deposits minus disallowed deposits. This amount is then divided by the number of bank statements, whether it is the 12 or 24 months statement.

Another option is that if the co-borrower is a W2 employee you can use a hybrid of W2 and tax return income from the co-borrower and bank statement income from the borrower or assets from the co-borrower and bank statements from the borrower. Non-QM loans can use multiples sources of blended incomes to qualify.

Deposits which are disallowed in regards to a bank statement loan include transfers between bank accounts and cash or large deposits, which can raise a level of concern and may require a letter of explanation.

Special Considerations for Bank Statement Loans

• You may use statements form more than one bank account, but they cannot be a combination of personal and business accounts.
• Deposits which are transferred from a business account into a personal account are acceptable.
• You may combine W2 income with bank statement income as long as the income is not being double counted.
• No commingling of funds.
• Foreign Bank Statements and Foreign Assets may be considered and must be translated to English.
• You may use 100% of your personal bank statement deposits as income, 50% of your business bank statements (depending on your business type, you may be able to use more than 50% of the deposits)

How are Bank Statement Loans Calculated?

Now that you have the answer to your question, “What is a bank statement loan,” you might wonder how lenders use your bank statements to determine your income.

These are some of the best types of loans for self-employed individuals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors who don’t have traditional income sources and pay stubs to prove their income. Additionally, these borrowers take deductions on their taxes, so their tax returns don’t accurately reflect their true income and ability to repay the loan.

With a bank statement loan, you can use your bank statements to demonstrate your ability to repay. But how do bank statement loans work?

When you apply for a bank statement loan, an underwriter will calculate your qualified income by adding the total deposits in your bank accounts for 12 or 24 months and dividing that number by 12 or 24 to give them an average monthly income.

Self-employed borrowers can choose to use 12 or 24 months’ worth of bank statements, but there are other requirements. For instance, lenders like to see that you’ve been self-employed for at least two years or one year if you’ve remained in the same type of role or industry.

Additionally, the deposits that can be used to calculate your income for a home loan depend on how you pay yourself. For instance, if you deposit money from a business account to your personal account, lenders will use around 50% of the deposits to determine your income. However, if you transfer funds from a business account to a personal account, lenders may allow 100% of your deposits to qualify for the loan.

This doesn’t mean that you need monthly deposits, either. Instead, you may have seasonal income. For instance, if you earn $100,000 in just three months, lenders will divide that number by 12 (the number of months in a year) to find your average monthly income.

As long as your deposits demonstrate that you earn enough to repay your loan balance every month, your income will help you qualify for a bank statement loan. You can use this bank statement loan calculator if you’re unsure whether you earn enough to qualify based on your bank statement deposits as income. Speaking with a loan specialist can also help you determine if you’re ready to apply for a mortgage.

What States Are Bank Statement Loans Available in?

Self-employed workers have access to different bank statement loan programs depending on the state they’re in and the lender. Griffin Funding is proud to offer loans for borrowers in many states across the U.S. 

Find your state and apply for a bank statement mortgage today:

• Arizona bank statement loans
• California bank statement loans
• Colorado bank statement loans
• Connecticut bank statement loans
• Delaware bank statement loans
• Florida bank statement loans
• Georgia bank statement loans
• Hawaii bank statement loans
• Idaho bank statement loans
• Illinois bank statement loans
• Maine bank statement loans
• Maryland bank statement loans
• Michigan bank statement loans
• Montana bank statement loans
• Nevada bank statement loans
• New Hampshire bank statement loans
• New Mexico bank statement loans
• North Carolina bank statement loans
• Ohio bank statement loans
• Oregon bank statement loans
• South Carolina bank statement loans
• Tennessee bank statement loans
• Texas bank statement loans
• Virginia bank statement loans
• Washington bank statement loans

Additional Pending Bank Statement Loan states:

• New Jersey bank statement loans
• Oklahoma bank statement loans
• Pennsylvania bank statement loans
• Utah bank statement loans
• Wisconsin bank statement loans

We are proud to help borrowers across the country find bank statement loans that help them make their dreams of homeownership a reality.

How Do I Find a Bank Statement Loan Lender?

Because interest rates and other important aspects of a bank statement loan program depend on the lender’s unique requirements for approval, it’s important for self-employed borrowers to do their due diligence before settling on a loan provider.

Here are a few general steps to finding the right mortgage lender:

1. Check their ratings and reviews: First, you want to determine whether they’re a credible lender you can trust. One of the ways you can do that is by checking their ratings and reviews across several platforms. Do they have good reviews? What are the biggest complaints, if any? 
2. Feel them out: See what their customer service is like before moving forward with your loan. Do they seem to have your best interest in mind? Are they helpful or are they inattentive?
3. Know what questions to ask: Savvy loan borrowers will keep the details in mind and learn about all the attached fees, requirements, and costs aside from interest rate payments in the principal amount. You want to find the best loan terms before you settle on a bank statement mortgage.

Our team at Griffith Funding can help you find a bank statement mortgage loan program tailored to your needs with our cutting-edge technology and dedicated team of financial experts. Our team specializes in loans for self-employed individuals, so we understand what matters when it comes to finding the right home mortgage loan.

Bank Statement Loan Success Story

If you’re self-employed, your income is typically difficult to document, and you have a significant amount of tax write-offs. This can be problematic when you are looking to buy a home, and it can be tough to qualify for a traditional home loan. However, bank statement programs allow mortgage lenders to make loans without having to follow the traditional route of providing tax returns. This type of loan is great for people who are self-employed, independent contractors, or those who earn a seasonal income. These would-be home buyers are often more qualified than salaried employees, but their tax returns are far from run-of-the-mill.

Ricardo is an excellent example of how a bank statement loan can help someone who is self-employed or who owns their own business. Ricardo, as a successful self-employed construction worker, he had a healthy and regular income each month, but after writing off his expenses, he was unable to report sufficient income to qualify for a traditional loan.

Thanks to a bank statement lending program, Ricardo was able to apply for a bank statement loan without having to show his tax returns, which meant that his business write-offs were not a problem. Ricardo’s monthly income bank deposits over the past 12 months were enough to qualify him for a bank statement loan. His bank statement showed:

Ricardo had a six-month average income of around $6,000 per month. After reviewing a full year of Ricardo’s bank statements, the lender was able to approve a loan based on that amount. Although the down payment and interest rate were slightly higher than a traditional loan, Ricardo was happy to be able to purchase a home. What’s more, he could always return the following year and if he could report an increase in income he would have the option of refinancing with a conventional loan which could have a lower interest rate.

Bank Statement Loans FAQ

Can I get a mortgage with just bank statements?

With a bank statement loan, it is possible to qualify for a mortgage with just bank statements. Bank statements are used in lieu of traditional income verification methods. Typically, 12 or 24 months’ worth of bank statements are required, but some individuals may be able to qualify based on only one, two, or three months.

It’s also important to note that factors like your credit score will also be taken into consideration when establishing your loan terms.

How do you get bank statements for your loan?

You’ve come to the right place if you’re wondering, “Can I get a loan with bank statements?” Ultimately, you can get a bank statement mortgage loan without providing pay stubs or tax returns. All you need are your bank statements from your business or personal bank accounts.

The easiest way to get bank statements is to download them from your bank’s online portal. You should easily be able to sign in and find them. However, if for some reason you can’t, you can contact your bank and have them mailed to you.

How do bank statement loans work?

For all home loans, lenders need to verify your income before approval. In the case of bank statement loans, bank statements are used as income verification instead of W2s and your tax return. Typically, bank statement mortgage loans require 12 or 24 months’ worth of bank statements. However, in some cases, you may be able to get approved with only two month’s worth of bank statements. One of our loan officers will then manually review your bank statements and verify the information with your bank.

Because of this alternative income-verification method, bank statement mortgages have become a popular option for self-employed individuals whose W2s and tax returns would not accurately reflect their full income.

Can you refinance with a bank statement loan?

Refinancing your home loan allows you to turn your home’s equity into cash in some cases. Those with existing mortgage loans may be able to refinance their loan with bank statements with a cash-out refinance.

This option allows you to leverage the equity in your home in exchange for cash, which you can then use to pay off debts or other major expenses. In most cases, borrowers can have a cash-out refinance loan matching up to 80% of the value of their property.

What do mortgage lenders look for on bank statements?

When lenders are reviewing your bank statements to determine whether they can approve you for a loan they are looking for the following information:

• Positive account balance
• Little to no overdrafts
• Regular monthly income deposits
• Enough money to cover at least 10% down payment (10% down requires 700 minimum credit score)
• Enough money to cover several months’ worth of mortgage payments as well as closing costs
• When income was deposited into your account (generally, they want the income to be seasoned, meaning it’s been in your account for a while and wasn’t all just deposited right before you applied for your loan)

How many months’ worth of bank statements do I need for a loan?

It depends. On most of our personal and business bank statement loans, we require the last 12 or 24 months’ worth of bank statements.

What credit score do I need for a bank statement loan?

A credit score is one of the basic bank statement loan requirements for every lender.

Having a higher credit score is a good way to improve the chances of approval and keep your interest rates low on any type of mortgage including a bank statement loan. In order to qualify for bank statement loans with Griffin Funding, borrowers need a credit score of 620 or higher.

Can I get a bank statement loan if I am not self-employed?

Yes, retirees can also qualify for bank statement loans since they are not receiving a typical stream of income that would be accurately reflected on their income tax returns.

It’s important to clarify that loans for self-employed individuals can apply to a variety of situations including those who are business owners, freelance works, gig economy workers, and realtors.

How hard is it to get a bank statement loan?

It can be difficult to find a bank statement loan with a reliable lender. However, since these loans are based on bank statements instead of traditional income verification methods, they often open doors of opportunity for many borrowers who otherwise wouldn’t be able to qualify for a mortgage. As long as you have the bank statements to prove your income and a decent credit score, it otherwise shouldn’t be too difficult to qualify.

When it comes to getting a bank statement loan, the main hurdle is finding the right lender to work with. Our team at Griffin Funding works hard to ensure access to bank statement loans for self-employed workers of all backgrounds and industries. Many gig workers, freelancers, contractors, and other workers rely on these options to afford their homes, and our goal is to help more professionals find the right bank statement loan for their specific needs.

What is the minimum down payment on a bank statement loan?

Income is just one lending criterion you’ll need to meet to qualify for a bank statement loan. If you’re trying to learn how to get a bank statement loan, you should understand that they work like many other loans.

So whether you’re a first-time buyer or this is your second, third, or fourth time purchasing a house, you’ll need to make a down payment. Of course, there are some types of government-sponsored loans that don’t require down payments, but Non-QM loans like bank statement loans do.

How much your down payment will be primarily depends on your credit score. For example, if you have a score of 720 or higher, you may qualify for a down payment of 10%. Meanwhile, if you have a credit score of 620, you’ll need to have a down payment of at least 25%. As you can see, bank statement loan down payments vary but can be higher than a traditional mortgage down payment.

Can you get a bank statement loan if you’ve filed for bankruptcy?

You can get a bank statement loan if you’ve filed for bankruptcy, but there are a few caveats. For instance, you’ll need to wait at least two years to apply for any type of mortgage loan after bankruptcy, but there are some exceptions. For instance, mortgage lenders may be more lenient if you can afford a large down payment and higher interest rates.

Are bank statement loans more expensive?

Generally, bank statement loans are considered higher risk for lenders, so they typically come with higher interest rates and down payment requirements than traditional loans. But ultimately, it depends on the home’s purchase price and the loan amount.

Are bank statement loans more riskier than other mortgage options?

Yes, bank statement loans are considered riskier than other mortgage options, especially for the lender. Since these loans are typically for self-employed borrowers who don’t have a traditional source of income and they’re not backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, they’re higher risk because they’re not guaranteed.

These loans may also be riskier for the borrower because they’re typically more expensive than conventional loans, so there’s an increased risk of defaulting on the loan. However, as long as you’re sure you can afford your monthly payments and your lender does their due diligence, there’s very little risk involved.

Are there other types of loans that require bank statements?

There aren’t any other loans that require bank statements, but you can use bank statements as a way to prove your income and qualify for other types of mortgages. In fact, you can use bank statements as one source of income verification for many of our Non-QM loans, such as jumbo loans and asset-based loans.

Are there other types of home loans for self-employed borrowers?

If you’re looking for a self-employed mortgage, a bank statement loan is usually the best option. However, depending on your other sources of income, such as a full-time job in addition to your self-employed business endeavors, there may be other loan options for you to consider, such as:

• Asset-based loans
• DSCR loans
• VA loans
• FHA loans
• Jumbo loans
• Bank Statement Home Equity Loans

Griffin Funding is proud to offer several self-employed home loan products including both personal and business bank statement loans. Whatever your employment and income circumstances, our loan officers can help find the best mortgage solution for your needs.