NBKC mortgage rates
Looking at data from 2021 (the most recent available), NBKC mortgage rates appear to be substantially lower on average than some other major lenders.
Rates have risen since 2021 so the averages below do not represent the rate you’ll be offered; they’re for comparison purposes only. Also, remember that mortgage rates always vary by person. You’ll have to get custom rate quotes to know which lender is actually the cheapest for you.
Average mortgage rates at major lenders
| NBKC | Rocket Mortgage | Wells Fargo | Freedom Mortgage | |
| Avg 30-Yr Interest Rate, 20211 | 2.87% | 3.00% | 3.14% | 2.66% |
| Median Total Loan Costs, 20211 | $2,453 | $4,670 | $3,600 | $3,880 |
| Median Origination Fee, 20211 | $250 | $2,430 | $1,330 | $0 |
Average rate and fee data were sourced from public rate and fee records required by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
NBKC appears to have lower lender fees than some competitors, too. In fact, most borrowers will pay less for loan origination and underwriting with NBKC than other top mortgage providers.
NBKC also gives borrowers helpful insight into its current mortgage rates. You can easily estimate your mortgage rate online by providing a little personal information. Just answer a few general questions, including:
- The state where you’re buying
- Your likely credit score
- Type and price of the home
- Down payment amount
You’ll typically see five different rates for each loan type, so you can explore your rate and fee options without having to talk to a loan officer.
NBKC mortgage review for 2022
Founded in Kansas City, Missouri, NBKC offers full-service online banking, including checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, personal loans, and more. You may also find competitive rates on deposit accounts and commercial and small business loans.
NBKC is also well-regarded as a mortgage lender, with a wide variety of home loans and a track record of excellent customer service. Looking at online customer reviews, NBKC fans are out in force. Its winning formula may be down to a combination of effective technology and strong human support.
Certainly, many have noted the efficiency and helpfulness of NBKC loan officers.
This financial institution doesn’t have too many obvious drawbacks. But one worth noting is that NBKC might not be helpful if you don’t have good credit. This bank generally only accepts mortgage borrowers with a 620 credit score or higher. And if you want to talk to a mortgage professional face-to-face, you might be out of luck. NBKC has branches only in Kansas City.
Working with NBKC
If you’re comfortable with technology, working with NBKC should be easy. Its IT systems seem intuitive, easy to use, and highly effective. And they come with all the functionality you’d expect from a digital lender. NBKC has an app for mobile devices, an e-signature capability to sign documents remotely, and secure messaging.
These systems are backed up by loan officers who are available over the phone to provide information, advice, and guidance. If you prefer, you can call a loan officer right from the start. They will then send you a loan application for you to complete and return. And you can carry out the entire process by telephone and mail.
NBKC customer service reviews
NBKC gets an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. That’s not wildly unusual for a good lender, though plenty fall short. What is rare is that NBKC also has a nearly five-star rating in the customer reviews section on BBB.
And it’s not just the BBB’s site where NBKC shines. It gets the same top rating on Zillow and Lending Tree’s websites. It even gets 4.9 out of five stars on BankRate.
Mortgage-related complaints at major lenders
| CFPB Complaints, 20214 | Complaints Per 1,000 Mortgages, 20215 | J.D. Power Satisfaction Score, 20216 | |
| NBKC | 0 | 0.00 | Not Rated |
| Rocket Mortgage | 376 | 0.24 | 876/1,000 |
| Wells Fargo | 488 | 0.58 | 832/1,000 |
| Freedom Mortgage | 262 | 0.35 | 829/1,000 |
It’s more difficult to rank NBKC’s customer satisfaction on a side-by-side basis with other lenders. That’s because it was too small to appear in J.D. Power’s Mortgage Customer Satisfaction survey.
However, a search of the consumer complaint database run by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) uncovered zero complaints under the names “NBKC,” NBKC Bank” or “National Bank of Kansas City.” There were also no hits under “Ameri-National Corporation,” of which the bank is a subsidiary. So it seems safe to assume that no official complaints were filed against the company in 2021.
Mortgage loan products at NBKC
NBKC offers a wide portfolio of mortgage loans. Chances are, you’ll be able to find what you want among them. The bank’s full mortgage loan portfolio includes:
- Conventional mortgages: A loan conforming to guidelines set by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. First-time home buyers can often get approved with a 3% down payment. Although, any conventional loan with a loan-to-value ratio above 80% will require private mortgage insurance (PMI)
- FHA loans: Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, FHA loans have more flexible credit requirements but often require you to pay mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) for the life of the loan
- VA loans: Backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, these zero-down-payment loans are available to eligible military members and veterans
- Jumbo loans: Mortgage loans that let you borrow more than the conforming loan limit. The current loan limit is $ in most parts of the U.S.
- New construction loans: This loan type is ideal for those building their own homes. An extended rate-lock program is available
- Pilot loans: A loan program just for aviation professionals. The bank also offers military pilots an optional VA pilot loan
- Fixed-rate loans: NBKC offers fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) that last 10, 15, 20, or 25 years, as well as the most popular choice of 30 years
- Adjustable-rate loans: Lock in a lower interest rate than standard market rates for the first few years. After that, your interest rate can increase or decrease each year. Most people lock for five years, known as a 5/1 ARM
NBKC does not offer USDA mortgages. These loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allow zero down payment in qualified rural and suburban areas. If a USDA loan sounds like a good fit for you, you’ll have to check with other mortgage lenders.
Refinancing with NBKC
In addition to home purchase loans, homeowners who are looking to refinance their existing mortgages have options, too. NBKC offers a few types of loans to help borrowers lower their monthly payments, own their homes sooner, or tap their equity.
- Rate-and-term refinance: Exchange your original mortgage with a new one that offers more favorable loan terms or a lower interest rate
- Cash-out refinance: Access your home equity by replacing your current mortgage with a new, larger loan amount, and then receiving the difference as a lump sum of cash. VA cash-out refinances are also available
- Streamline Refinance: A low-doc, low-cost refinance loan designed for FHA and VA homeowners
NBKC’s refinance rates are generally similar to its home purchase rates. But your refi rate will vary depending on the type of loan and your personal finances.
NBKC home equity line of credit
While it does not provide home equity loans, NBKC offers home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) to homeowners who want to tap their equity but are not interested in cash-out refinancing.
A HELOC is a revolving line of credit, similar to a credit card, that allows you to borrow as frequently as you need and as much as you like — up to the loan limit. Many homeowners use a HELOC to consolidate debt, invest in real estate, or make home improvements.
Where can you get a mortgage with NBKC?
National Bank of Kansas City NMLS ID: 409631
You can apply for an NBKC mortgage anywhere in the U.S. It’s licensed in all 50 states. However, you’ll only be able to get a mortgage in person if you live within striking distance of the Kansas City area. That’s the only place NBKC operates physical branch locations.
Most borrowers will use either NBKC’s online mortgage process or telephone and mail services. Luckily, its online technology is excellent. And it’s backed up by the same helpful loan officers you’ll deal with on calls, no matter how you apply.
NBKC Mortgage FAQ
NBKC stands for National Bank of Kansas City. As the name implies, NBKC only has physical locations local to Kansas city. But mortgage customers can get a loan from NBKC in any state, by applying online or over the phone.
NBKC has been FDIC insured since its founding in 1999. FDIC insurance protects customer deposits at banks like NBKC in case the bank should ever fail.
It might seem strange to get a mortgage from the National Bank of Kansas City if you live anywhere other than Kansas City. But NBKC is worth a look no matter where you live. It’s licensed to lend in all 50 states and has an excellent reputation for customer service and affordable rates. NBKC is especially good for people who like technology, as it has great digital functionality for banking and loan customers.
Points on a mortgage, also called discount points or mortgage points, let you buy down your interest rate. One point usually costs 1 percent of the loan amount, paid at closing, and lowers your mortgage rate by about 0.25 percent. So for example, if NBKC offered you a 4.5 percent mortgage rate on a $250,000 loan, you might be able to buy a point for $2,500 and lower your rate to 4.25 percent.
Is NBKC the best mortgage lender for you?
We always look for both pros and cons when we review a mortgage lender. But it’s rare that we can find so little to criticize as in this NBKC mortgage lender review.
Unless you’re determined to have an in-person borrowing experience and don’t live near Kansas City, there’s a good chance NBKC could be a good mortgage lender for you.
But, as always, remember to compare personalized rates from a few different lenders before choosing. As you can see above, every financial institution has different rates for the same loan type.
