Bank of America Rolls Out 3% Loans
Bank of America announced a new loan program to help low- and moderate- income borrowers qualify for a mortgage with as little as a 3 percent down payment. The loans have financing available up to $417,000.
Eligible borrowers must not earn more than the median income for the area and are required to have a credit score of at least 660. The home the borrower is looking to purchase must also be their primary residence. Applicants must also have a debt-to-income ratio of no more than 43 percent.
Read more: More Buyers Take Advantage of FHA Loans
Bank of America announced it will also consider non-traditional forms of credit, such as daycare expenses, health club memberships, and rental history in determining credit history.
"There are creditworthy borrowers -- people who have shown good experience paying off debts who fit income restrictions -- and except for the fact that they don't have the money for a down payment, they would be good home owners," says Terry Francisco, a spokesman for the bank.
Low down-payment mortgages are becoming more common. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae announced last year that they would start backing loans with down payments as little as 3 percent. The Federal Housing Administration also offers low-down payment loans, but FHA also requires borrowers to pay monthly insurance premiums with the mortgage payments.
Bank of America officials say its 3 percent loans will have a less expensive mortgage rate than FHA loans. Rates, however, will be set by a borrower’s creditworthiness and credit score.
The average down payment for home buyers with a conventional 30-year mortgage in the fourth quarter of 2015 was 17.5 percent, reports LendingTree.
Source: “Bank of America Will Offer Mortgages for 3% Down,” CNNMoney (Feb. 22, 2016)
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